Study and work abroad opportunities are not one-size-fits-all. What worked for friends, siblings, or peers might not be the best fit for you. When choosing the type of opportunity you would like to pursue, there is a lot to think about. Here are a few things we recommend considering and comparing across your options.
If you haven’t already, one of the first things you should do is think about the reasons why you want to work or study abroad. Some preliminary questions to ask are:
- Why do you want to go abroad?
- What goals do you hope to accomplish?
- How will your experience shape your future goals, either personally, academically, professionally, or otherwise?
It is also important to think about how your global work or learning experience will fit into your academic plan at the University of Windsor. Many opportunities can count towards degree requirements, but this is something you will need to research. Other things to consider are:
- Does the program offer courses in your major(s) or minor to help keep you on track for graduation?
- What are the experiential learning opportunities?
- Are there internship/research/volunteer opportunities?
- Is a Letter of Permission required?
- If participating in an academic exchange will the credit transfer back to your degree at the University of Windsor?
- If participating in a faculty-led program, is there a credit associated? And if so does it tie in with your degree requirements?
- Does a work abroad opportunities count toward program requirements, such as placements, internships, and/or co-op?
When examining the details of the opportunity you’ll want to consider the following:
- When do you want to go?
- How long do you want to go abroad for? Would a short-term activity (a few days to a few weeks) or a long-term activity (a semester to a year) interest you more?
- How long do you need to be abroad to meet your goals?
- When does studying abroad fit your degree plan best?
Perhaps one of the biggest decisions when choosing a program is to pick where you actually want to go! This not only include considerations about the country you’ll be visiting, but also information about housing, transportation, and other elements within your host city, town, community, etc. Here are some questions you’ll want to consider when it comes to choosing a destination:
- How important is it for you to be geographically close to family and friends while abroad?
- What is the relationship between the destination country and Canada, and/or your country of origin?
- Do you want to go somewhere urban or rural? What is the daily life like in the area?
- How will you get to the country/region you are thinking of going? How much will travel cost?
- What languages are you comfortable speaking/studying/working in? Are courses taught in English available?
- What are some destination-specific considerations depending on your identity and social location?
- Are there any travel, safety or medical risks associated with the region?
- You can utilize the Government of Canada’s Travel Advisories page for this information
Another extremely important area of consideration is the costs of an international experience, as well as what scholarships are available. You should ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the cost of the program fit your budget?
- What is included in the cost of the program? What personal expenses do you need to budget for?
- What is the cost of living in the host city/country (e.g., meals, transportation, entertainment)?
- What scholarships are available?
- Are there country-specific scholarships available or scholarships offered by the program provider?
Here are some other questions you will want to consider regarding logistics, family and friends, and health and safety:
- Would you prefer a more structured, highly supportive program or a less structured, more independent program?
- Do you have a strong preference for the type of housing you will live in (e.g., residence hall vs. Homestay)?
- How will you explain the process to family and friends?
- How will you involve your family in the decision to go abroad, if at all? Will they be financing any portion of your experience?
- How will you keep in touch with family and friends while abroad?
- What resources are available for your family and friends?
- If no one in your family has ever studied abroad, who can help you answer their questions as you plan your experience?
- Are there health and safety concerns you should think about when selecting a program?