No Regrets

To those at Anderson University and anyone considering studying abroad

First off, it is a big decision, so due diligence is a must.

I am just going to tell you my story on how I ended up studying at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland which I think you will find to be informative and helpful, and then advice to any others contemplating this option of studying abroad while a university student.

Ever since high school I knew I wanted to study abroad, no specific destination in mind. Many people I asked (especially my Aunt Vicki) encouraged me to do it since high school and said that was there only regret while in college. Also, those that did make the leap (at least those I have spoken with) do not regret it for one second. Here was my dilemma though coming into college as a freshman…I played football (which I love). The fall semester is the season of course, and the spring semester is the crucial off-season training. Knowing this, I shoved the thought of studying abroad to the back of my brain, behind a few dusty couches never really to be thought of again. That is, until I couldn’t play football anymore because of an injury. The thought surged back to the foreground as a primetime option.

Another problem that holds people back from studying abroad are the course requirements for their major in order to graduate. This was one of my problems. I stopped playing football my junior year, so that fall, I started planning ahead, which is key for those considering studying abroad. I looked at everything that I needed to graduate, mapped out a detailed plan on how I was going to fit all my courses in, and talked to several professors, advisors, and counselors to see if this plan was even possible and got their approval. I ended up taking three senior courses my junior year, as well as six hours over the summer, all the while still not positive I was going to be studying abroad, but leaving that possibility open (something I recommend). I was able to work it out to where I had a free fall semester to take whatever classes I wanted. I will be returning my final semester in the spring to finish up my marketing degree.

Another hesitation one may have is the notion that they will be missing out on what is happening back home. I credit Ty Benbow, who also studied abroad, for helping me reject this thought. Just know, that when you are studying abroad, your friends and University will be awaiting for you when you return, and they will still be there in one piece. Moreover, your friends will more than likely (if they heard you don’t want to go because of not being with them) encourage you to go. On top of that, this is my senior year of college. Many people rule out studying abroad then, but I beg to differ. I would venture to say that the fall semester of your senior year (besides junior year) is one of the best semesters to do it. Why? Because you are a veteran college student, you know how school works, and you don’t have to worry about adjusting to the college life as much a younger student. It is also easier to go a longer distance away after several years at school. One may not want to miss out on their senior year at their school, which is how I felt. Let me encourage you once more. It’s worth it and your friends will still be there when you get back, not to mention the new friends you will make from wherever you are studying, new culture which you are invited into, and many new things that you can do or see. With all this new, it makes it easier to not feel like you are missing out. You would be truly missing out if you didn’t go. Also, you will notice how much more you appreciate and cherish the relationships that you do have back home, and will give you the desire to cultivate them even more when you return. Once again, they will be awaiting you in one piece when you return, glad that you were able to go.

After I made the decision to pursue studying abroad, I searched my options. I encourage you to do this even before you have made the decision. First, you should check to see what your school offers, if there are any exchange programs or study abroad options. In my case, there was, but nothing that interested me. What now? Can I not go just because the University doesn’t offer a program? I am living proof that there are other ways, it just takes more digging. Next, figure out where you would like to go. Europe? Australia? China? South Africa? A specific region with a specific language? I looked at business schools all over Europe and South Africa. Most of these were in Prague, some in Tuscany, several in Ireland, and also the United Kingdom. I finally narrowed it down to Oxford in England, Aberdeen in Scotland, and the School of Economics of Prague in the Czech Republic, and in the end decided to go to Scotland, which has been a dream of mine. Now, if you can only speak English, please make sure you are checking into schools that have English-speaking classes.

Seeing that I am not going through an organized program, I needed to research all of this, make contacts with the schools, and figure out as much details and information as I can about anything and everything about studying at their school for a semester. On the other side of things, you need to work with your home university way in advance to get approval and correct documentation for everything that you are trying to do, whether it is advisors, registrar, study abroad department, or any other department (you need to figure this out). It is very important if you are studying abroad independently to be very thorough in your research and planning to make sure you cover all of your bases, it can be a long process, but doable. If at all possible, see if you can attend a University that your home school will accept their classes to count towards your major or required courses. Luckily, I have worked ahead so all I need are electives, so I can take whatever classes that I want and they only come back as pass/fail with the hours.

Lastly, AFTER everything is approved, check to see if you are required to get a Tier 4 VISA and apply for it immediately (also your Passport if you don’t have one already). This will also take due diligence on your part to find exactly what you need, all of which can be done via Internet. AFTER you obtain your Visa (and Passport), THEN buy your airline tickets, not the other way around just for precautionary reasons.

I hope this is helpful to all who are interested, and I absolutely HIGHLY recommend to anyone and everyone to take up this opportunity. This will make your college experience much richer, and at the same time, make your home University much richer with your experience.

If you have any questions about studying abroad, contact me at jwduke@anderson.edu. I would love to help you out.

Much love.