REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM

The requirements for a SemesterAbroad program are the following: age should be between 15 to 18 years of age although some destinations allow students of 14 to 19 years of age, at least 2 years high school level or equivalent of foreign language when destination is a foreign language-speaking country, good academic level, maturity to adapt to new environments and a successful score in a personal interview.

Applicants are selected through interviews, teacher recommendations and over-all potential of being a successful program participant. Knowing the language of the host country is not required although it is certainly useful. Those who choose to include language courses may be required to take a placement test to determine language level.

A student’s transcript, disciplinary clearance and essay may provide the crucial opportunity to demonstrate the amount of importance one places on international experience as an integral part of education. Apart from those already mentioned, anyone contemplating spending a semester abroad should have an open mind towards learning, studying and living abroad presents its own opportunities in experiencing new things, learning about oneself as well as other cultures.

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM

The primary purpose of taking a semester abroad is for students to take courses which are significantly different from but complimentary to the course being taken by the student in his/her home campus. Receiving credit for overseas study is possible by earning the school’s minimum passing grade for all courses taken and by providing an official version of the transcript from the foreign school to the home school. Students may be required to retain copies of all the written work done at the foreign school to be submitted to the local faculty advisor for review.

A student is required to supply description of the courses that are being proposed to be taken. This description should come with instructor names and reading lists whenever applicable to ensure that the proposed course of study is a rigorous one. It is highly recommended that students develop their lists of courses in consultation with their faculty advisors both at the local and foreign school. The foreign faculty advisor will be asked to confirm that the courses selected are available and that the intended educational objectives can be met at the foreign school.

LOCATIONS AND RESOURCES

The Semester Abroad program does not in any way limit the student’s options to one particular school or country. As long as the foreign institution is one that is government sanctioned or recognised, state regulated within the country, recognised or approved by an evaluation body or such an agency exists within the country, a school is deemed acceptable. Most local universities are developing exchange agreements with various foreign schools to have their students spend a semester abroad.

There are schools offering a good funding option for its students. The school can charge the student going abroad a regular tuition for the period abroad and have the tuition costs of the foreign school billed directly to them rather than to the student. This way, the student remains fully eligible for regular financial aid and student loans for the semester abroad as if they had remained in the local school for the semester in question. Otherwise, other sources are available such as funding from organisations or through personal sources.

Education experts have confirmed time and time again that the better way to learn a language is through immersion in the culture of its native speakers. Programs for a semester abroad allow students to live with a carefully selected host family in the country of choice. A student will get to develop his/her language skills as a member of society by learning common expressions and daily communication essentials by virtue of necessity: sprachreisen englisch Irland. During the program, the student will get to realise the importance of acquiring a good command of the foreign language if he/she wishes to settle day to day affairs in an appropriate manner (Franzosischkurse in Montpellier).

Taking the effort to study the language even before departure from the home country will go a long way in providing a good communication start. A fairly decent knowledge of the language helps in establishing comfort in dealing with the host family, meeting more people, enjoying more activities and gaining more independence while in a foreign country. However, lack of knowledge with regards to the language should not deter anyone from participating in the program. Learning the language is part of the whole learning process abroad.

The development of language skills is a gradual process and is something that cannot be rushed. Not everything can be learned inside the classroom but the basic vocabulary and grammatical rules can be provided in this venue. A notebook containing the elements of the language being studied could be very handy in a student’s experience abroad.

It would not hurt to bring at least 2 small dictionaries while traveling. Two-language dictionaries available in host countries may not represent your native language. It can sometimes be very difficult to find exactly what you need in a foreign place especially with your limited foreign language skills.

It is quite common for locals to laugh when mistakes are committed as to pronunciation or expression. However, the people are not actually laughing at you but at the words or the way the words were used together. Generally, people appreciate your efforts to learn their language and are more than willing to help.

No one would realise what they’re missing until studying abroad has been actually experienced. The differences in set-up, time, culture, behaviour and activities are all part of the learning process that is an integral part of a study program abroad. Being able to adapt to the foreign environment enables the student to better understand the purpose of the program and the benefits that can be derived from it.

Foreign students should expect school life to be a lot different from the ways of their home campuses. This should not prevent anyone from taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the circumstances. Going to school with people of your own age group of a different culture could help you understand them more and make you feel part of the host country.

After school activities, although not school related, can also foster better camaraderie with local students. Going to the movies, bookstore and cafe or hanging around to talk are fun but harmless ways to pass the time. Students should take heed of advices of program handlers so as to avoid unnecessary problems like accidents and violation of certain laws.

Conducting oneself in a good behaviour in the classroom and the school campus allows for easy integration into the new school. Foreign students should take a cue from the general attitude and behaviour prevailing in school. Treating everyone with respect, no matter how different their opinions are from you is the safest attitude to adapt. Being a student that possesses a distinct difference in terms of physical attributes and manner of speaking does not call for any further action to call attention to oneself. There is no doubt that your “foreignness” has been noticed by the local students and there is absolutely no reason to make a fuss about it. It should never be forgotten that deeper learning comes in total immersion that calls for you to blend with the majority and live as if you were one of them.

A school guidance councilor or foreign study program adviser can assist a student in determining the suitable classes to take while studying internationally. Language classes train students to become better at speaking the language of the host country. History classes on the other hand allow the students to learn more about the host country