I have recently had the opportunity to read through hundreds and hundreds of year abroad graduate case studies, and it made me realise just how much students miss out if they don't study abroad during their degree course. It also means I'm in the perfect position to write this list - an assimilation of their (and my!) top tips and biggest benefits in hindsight - all in one place.
Here are 100 reasons (there are many more - these are the best ones!) to study abroad and make the most of every second you're away...
Flying halfway across the world to beaches, the outback and koalas is a dream for many. The best time to make the most of Down Undah is before you set off for uni or even during your year abroad, as you’ll get the chance to see something totally new and fresh, work or study, without having to worry about language requirements - i.e. an opportunity open to all! From what costs are involved, where you could go, where to study or work, as well as getting your head round paperwork, it’s all in here!
To celebrate the launch of Birmingham University's latest publication, The Linguist Magazine, 'a magazine for language learners and culture vultures', we have launched a brand new competition!
Rutasha is studying Law with Spanish at Nottingham Trent University and is currently on her third year abroad at the University of Salamanca. She is studying Law and Political Science there and will be teaching English part time from next semester. Here she passes on her top tips about life in Salamanca; finding accommodation, getting over the culture shock
Before you ask: no, you don't have to be an interpreter, teacher or translator! As a year abroader (past or present) with language skills and/or the capacity to feel at home when you're abroad, you could bring international business to any company you chose to work for. You could also search different countries' job markets!
Becoming fluent on your year abroad is easy as pie if you're constantly surrounded by local people at work, at university and in your social life, but in reality your 'year' abroad might be only seven months (or half of it spent in another country), you might also hang out with English-speaking friends while you're there, and of course you always need a bit of time to yourself! There's no way that you can be fully-immersed 24/7, but you still need to appear less foreign/touristy as fast as possible. Why? So that locals don't reply to you in English, so they trust you and open up to you more, and so that you feel you are progressing quickly which helps hugely with confidence. "Your [insert language] is amazing! How long have you been here for?!" We are all, secretly, praise junkies.