Studying abroad can give you some great world views during your formative college years. In addition to being in another culture, it gives you the opportunity to learn in different settings. However, you might also want to stay with other Americans to make sure you adapt a bit easier. Here are some of the most popular destinations for studying abroad.
Flickr user Jerome Briot
United Kingdom
With the common language of English, the United Kingdom is easily the most popular choice for students wishing to study abroad. About 12% of students decide on this conglomerate of countries (including: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). It’s the perfect choice for those who have never traveled outside the United States. However, if you want a more cultural experience different from your own, you may want to choose a different country. England can also be quite expensive, London in particular.
Italy
Flickr user Roel Driever
Italy is a top choice for students who wish to learn in a vastly different culture than the United States, with approximately 11% choosing to travel here for their study abroad semester. There is delicious food and plenty of history all throughout the country. The Italian college programs generally do not require much Italian speaking, so it’s also easy to adapt. Outside the school though, you may run into more issues if you don’t speak Italian.
Spain
Flickr user Elentir
With many students learning Spanish throughout high school and college, Spain is also easily a top choice. 9% of study abroad students decide to travel here. The country is extremely diverse, offering up a world of cultural experiences. Though, with the abundance of students traveling to Spain, it can actually be difficult to immerse yourself in the different culture.
France
Flickr user Nathan Hughes Hamilton
Fourth in the most popular countries to study abroad in is France, which attracts about 6% of the students traveling abroad. Another popular language in high schools and colleges, it can be relatively easy to immerse yourself into the culture. However, if you don’t speak French at all, you may need to travel to a different country. Even colleges that teach in English may require some extensive knowledge of the language.
Germany
Flickr user fdecomite
Just behind France, Germany attracts about 4% of students studying abroad. With plenty of history, gorgeous scenery, and popular events like Oktoberfest, there is a wonderful world to explore throughout the entire country. Business, German, and sciences are popular majors in a majority of the participating schools, and many students also use the program for internships. However, you should know a bit of German before visiting here as most of the schools teach in a mixture of English and German.
No matter where you decide to travel to during your study abroad semester, you can definitely expect a different culture and plenty of unique learning experiences during your months outside of the United States. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to talk to your counselor or the appropriate department through your college to get started. And you don’t have to limit yourself to this list! There’s dozens of cultures out there to explore, even if they’re not the most popular choices.
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