Studying Abroad

  • kafka.

    kafka. (150)

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    Are you considering, studying or have studied abroad?

    I'm a person with high expectations from my academic studies.
    I plan on studying comparative literature/history of literature, maybe classical studies - Latin [if I can catch up on the grammar X_X which most probably won't happen], and maybe a creative writing course just for the fun of it.
    Now, I live in Romania and although the uni in my city is the biggest in the country and has plenty of foreign students and etc. etc. it specializes mainly on medicine/physics/sciences in general. I went to a college course offered to high school students there last year [as a way to catch our attention] and I didn't like it. I've heard all nasty things about it and our scholar system is lame anyway .

    So, for some time now I've started to look into other possibilities.
    The best candidate so far is University of Vienna because it's only about 300 km away from where I live and it's all-round amazing, but it requires proficiency in German. Which I don't really have, but I could learn. The next options would be France because Sorbonne is just ... Sorbonne and I know the language and have a class mate who's also going to study in Paris. Then I could go to Italy/Spain because of the language factor again, I have relatives there and there's a big Romanian minority there and I wouldn't feel all outcast-ish. Lastly, the UK and the rest of the English-speaking world, because I have English proficiency and they have good unis, but it's far away from home, rainy and rather expensive.

    I've finished my ramble. I have this winter/spring to decide where to go and start making the proper arrangements.
    Thoughts, opinions?
    :cute:
    November 15th, 2008 at 07:40am
  • chromatography.

    chromatography. (255)

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    I personally think go somewhere where you think it's going to benefit you the most. Are you sure you're going to be able to speak fluent German in such a short amount of time? Do you think you can do? I don't under-estimate your abilities though.

    England would be nice, but if you're willing to fork out the money. Also, you'll meet new people it'll be quite an experience actually, if you're up to that. It does have quite reputation that may benefit your academic standards.

    Personally out of your opinions, I'm opting for the Paris one. You already have the prerequisites, so you don't have to learn German practically overnight and can focus on your current studies, and not have to worry about producing a lot of money overnight. You've got class mate you know going there and a community that will welcome you in. I don't know about the academic reputation but I think you'll excel wherever you go. You'll be able to visit home too during the holidays etc.

    It's ultimately your decision and what you think benefits you the most.

    That probably wasn't much help. :cute:
    November 15th, 2008 at 08:27am
  • Matt Smith

    Matt Smith (900)

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    Britain, obviously I'm so biased :coolio:
    I think our universities are great, myself, and there are something like 140 to choose from. Don't worry too much about the weather, to an extent I think it's an exaggerated national stereotype. In terms of studying though, it will probably be pretty expensive as you're an international student (although it might be less within the EU). Britain is more ethnically diverse than you'd think, too, so you would definitely fit in.

    I'm going to uni in Britain but as I'm doing Spanish I'll be spending a year abroad in a Spanish speaking country as part of my course. Which should be really fun. Possibly I might also be going to Mexico this summer to do some kind of study/work, but it's all quite up in the air right now. I really hope I can go, I would learn so much and I've never been out of Europe before.
    November 17th, 2008 at 10:26pm
  • nothing.

    nothing. (250)

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    I really want to go to University in America or England.

    I told my parents that, and they laughed in my face and told me to keep dreaming. If I go to university, there is no way I'm studying here.

    In other countries, I believe the lifestyle is better, and so is the quality of the education, plus there is more choice and variety.
    November 18th, 2008 at 11:59am
  • fool's paradise

    fool's paradise (1000)

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    I would love to study abroad.

    I would like to go to either England or Germany. They seem like interesting places. My friend went to London and told me it was amazing.

    When I start looking into colleges I'm definitely researching studying abroad.
    May 7th, 2009 at 11:15pm
  • hoover's goosed

    hoover's goosed (400)

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    I would love to study in England In Love
    May 10th, 2009 at 07:14pm
  • barely legal

    barely legal (100)

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    I would like to spend some time in Spain actually - to take my languages further. That's if everything else fails.
    May 10th, 2009 at 07:15pm
  • Big Maggie.

    Big Maggie. (100)

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    I'm going to Cardiff (Wales) or London. I've already had my guided tour of City University and Queen Mary University, in London, and hopefully I'll be able to get over for the Cardiff University open day next year. It's not really a stretch for me, since I've been visiting those places a few times a year since before I was speaking, and Cardiff is like a second home to me at this point.

    My boyfriend's been accepted to the Royal College of Music and the Academy of Contemporary Music in London, and Conservatoire de Paris, a music school in Paris. He was accepted into Cork University's School of Music too, which is considered to be one of the best music schools in Europe, but he really just wants to get out of Ireland - he's from London, so it would be like going home for him. He did a three month exchange to New Zealand a while ago, so he's used to being in new environments and stuff. He'll be leaving in September or August, and to be honest, I don't want him to go..but if it's what he wants..
    May 10th, 2009 at 08:33pm
  • riddlemeadream

    riddlemeadream (100)

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    I'm homeschooled, so i don't really have that opportunity...

    But plenty of colleges do that! Theres a few programs that'll take you around the world and stuff if you're with a Uni and such, so I plan to do that in a few years or something. England or Ireland, is what I've decided. That, or I'll just leave the US for a year or so to simply go to college somewhere up there and such... I hope!!
    May 12th, 2009 at 12:37am
  • Stoop Kid

    Stoop Kid (100)

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    You do have that opportunity.
    I did!
    I didn't do it, but there are plenty of programs for home schooled persons.

    I intend after my last 2 years of college to do so.
    To study overseas, my major is music. So it should be amazing and a great learning experience.
    May 20th, 2009 at 02:23pm
  • Mrs Carpetlegs

    Mrs Carpetlegs (200)

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    I had a chance to do a semister in New York but I couldn't afford the plane tickets. It is something I would love to do. Good luck to all of those studying abroad.
    May 20th, 2009 at 10:25pm
  • college dropout

    college dropout (255)

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    I live in New York, but when I go to college I definitely want to take a year or at least a semester off to study abroad. Possibly England, maybe France because I really want to be able to speak French fluently.
    I think it would be so much fun and a great experience.
    May 24th, 2009 at 02:59am
  • Frankee

    Frankee (150)

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    I'm going to do year 13, my last year in high school in America.
    May 24th, 2009 at 03:05am
  • Zizoo

    Zizoo (100)

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    I studied abroad for my junior and senior years of high school in Tbilisi, Georgia. This turned out to be an amazing experience for cultural education and social. I'd highly recommend kids to go abroad, as it really stretches your horizons.

    [[or go abroad for college, but I think late high school may be better timing]]
    May 27th, 2009 at 01:30pm
  • sectumsempra

    sectumsempra (100)

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    Oh, I would love to study abroad. Hopefully, somewhere in Scotland, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at the rest of the UK, truly. I suppose it all depends on how everything turns out, but...

    Honestly, it would be just perfect.
    September 25th, 2010 at 10:51am
  • danny sexbang.

    danny sexbang. (100)

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    My friend Angela is so on board when it comes to studying abroad. To be quite honest, I want to go study abroad with her as well, in the spring semester. However, a previous plan is kind of making me rethink this decision...

    Anyway, the trip itself is pretty pricey. But I heard that I can get financial aid, scholarships and even have FAFSA help me out, as well as take out student loans to fund the trip and tuition. My friend and I wanted to go to London next semester, to study psychology.
    I haven't told my mum about it yet, but I think I might try for it anyway, just to see if I'd get in. I got really excited when my English professor was talking to us about it last week and everything Angela has relayed to me from the meeting just makes the trip that much more worth it. Wow
    September 26th, 2010 at 11:19am
  • Jett

    Jett (100)

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    Tomorrow I'm applying for a US scholarship that will allow me to spend the next school year in the US. Everything is paid, I'd have a host family, go to school.. and all that. I applied last year, and out of 900+ kids I was in the top 19, but ended up as a substitute candidate or an alternate. Wish me luck.
    October 10th, 2010 at 04:19pm
  • pierrot the clown.

    pierrot the clown. (100)

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    Jett:
    Tomorrow I'm applying for a US scholarship that will allow me to spend the next school year in the US. Everything is paid, I'd have a host family, go to school.. and all that. I applied last year, and out of 900+ kids I was in the top 19, but ended up as a substitute candidate or an alternate. Wish me luck.
    Luck. tehe

    My school gives 2 students the opportunity to study in Quebec for a semester. I'm not exactly sure how it works, who you stay with, and such, but it's all arranged. I would love to go (my French would improve and... Canada just sounds awesome), but it'd either be next semester or the first one of my senior year, which means I'd have to take all my pre-college exams/send my college application over there and it'd be a mess. Also, I bet it's really expensive and I'd rather save all I can for college. X'D
    October 12th, 2010 at 05:37am
  • Bella Goes Away.

    Bella Goes Away. (860)

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    I'm going to study abroad next year. I want to move to England to live near my girlfriend and right now it makes the most sense to study English for a year there. Hopefully during that time I can find a job etc, so I can stay permanently.
    July 29th, 2012 at 10:08pm
  • This.Useless.Heart.

    This.Useless.Heart. (115)

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    This summer I studied abroad in Mexico. It was one of the best experiences in my life personally and for my education as well. It helped my Spanish so much! Also, it was great to travel to, live in, adventure in, and just experience day to day life in another country and a different culture. And I had two great classes with an awesome professor from my home institution that travelled with us.
    So, all in all, if you can find a good program and can make things work out and if you are serious about wanting to do it, I would definitely, whole-heartedly reccommend studying abroad.
    July 30th, 2012 at 08:13am