Studying abroad allows you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn a new language, and gain experiences that you’ll carry for life. You get to unlock a whole new version of yourself with international fashion trends, budgeting in foreign countries, and simply learning how to take care of yourself while living abroad. (Yes, that includes hydrating.) But for grad students, the question remains, “Can you study abroad in grad school?” The process looks a bit different, but yes, you can!
Grad school, in itself, is a whole different ball game — take it from a fellow grad school student. From the preparations to apply to the course load, it’s a lot, but it can be such a rewarding time, especially if you want to study abroad during your program. You might be thinking, “But I only have x amount of time. How can I fit it into my schedule?” Don’t worry, I’m here to tell you that you can. It’ll take some research and careful consideration but it’s not impossible. To help, I’ve compiled a list of things to think about while making your decision.
Talk to your academic advisor about study abroad options for grad students.
If you’re currently enrolled in grad school and want to study abroad, I recommend meeting with your academic advisor to discuss the possibility of studying abroad to make sure it’s actually feasible for you. Many universities offer grad students the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or two regardless of their program of study. Universities like New York University and American University are among the top-ranked schools with graduate study abroad programs. Other universities have more restrictions: For example, at St. John’s University, study abroad opportunities are open to all grad students but the programs are limited to students from a particular school and major.
Consider funding opportunities.
Depending on which country you decide to study abroad in, the cost of living can be expensive. However, there are scholarships available. The Fulbright Scholarship is among one of the more well-known funding opportunities, but there are many more. Your university may also have study abroad scholarships you can apply for internally or department funding that you can tap into. For example, at the University of California, Berkeley, study abroad for grad students is available for all grad students but depending on the department, the funding opportunities can vary. So again, be sure to check with your advisor and department chair if you’re considering studying abroad. They can definitely point you in the right direction.
Look into research, work, and independent study opportunities.
As a grad student, depending on your program or final thesis, you’ll have certain research or internship requirements to complete. If that’s the case, I recommend reaching out to your study abroad office or academic advisor to discuss the possibility of completing those requirements abroad. As part of North Carolina State University’s study abroad program, for example, students have the opportunity to complete research and independent study requirements while studying abroad.
Complete your entire graduate program abroad.
If you are considering doing grad school entirely abroad, you can! Completing a graduate program abroad is a great way to not only increase your marketability in your industry but also provide you with a great opportunity to fully immerse yourself in a new culture. However, it does come with its own pros and cons and requires research on your end to make sure it’s the right fit for you. Here are some things to think about with completing your entire program abroad:
- Many international schools offer master’s programs in English so you don’t need to worry about a major language barrier.
- Schools in Europe are significantly cheaper than American universities because of their educational policies. Many international schools also allow federal student aid to pay for some expenses. However, that may not always mean that your living expenses will be cheaper.
- Do you need to purchase (and therefore budget for) travel insurance while studying abroad? It’s a loaded question and may not seem like the most common thing to consider while deciding on studying abroad, but you’ll be glad you didn’t put this question off. Ultimately, the choice to do so depends on you, but Forbes breaks down the importance of travel and health insurance while studying abroad.
At the end of the day, the choice to study abroad in grad school will depend on you, but I would argue that because grad school is typically shorter, every opportunity should be taken. The experiences you have, good or bad, can prove to be life-changing!