January 1, 2024
By Sheree Crow, M.Ed, M.L.S.
Do you have a passport? The FIRST thing you should do before you begin looking at programs is apply for your passport. Here are some websites to help you understand that process:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/16-17.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html
https://www.usa.gov/child-passport
There are many reasons to study abroad. You become more adaptable. You improve your language skills which will help you in the future. You will make contacts that you will have forever. It will help mold you into a unique individual. In the future the most unique individuals will be the most successful. Most teenagers do not have study abroad experience. This article is about the specific programs on the US government websites and opportunities for high school and Early College students, but if you are not sold on why to study abroad, take a glance at this article: https://www.kaplanpathways.com/blog/top-8-reasons-to-study-abroad/
I studied abroad, but I did it when I was already a teacher and had my degree. I wish I had done it earlier, but funds were lacking. There are so many different ways now to get abroad, I will be talking about a variety of them. Each article, I will also talk about the money aspect. I came from a poor family and I always wanted to study abroad, in Russia. I didn’t know where to begin and my mom knew nothing about it either. This is why I am writing this. I am here to calm your anxiety and help you along your path.
For this article, we are looking at the US Federal government’s study abroad opportunities. When you look at the Federal government’s website, there are so many programs to choose from. It can feel overwhelming.
There are sections on the “Find Exchange Programs” for high school and undergraduate students. I studied graduate school abroad, but this one is for the younger students.
Let’s first look at the opportunities for secondary students.you will be able to filter at the top for what countries that you want to look at. There is also a section at the top of the page where you choose if you are a US Citizen or non-citizen.
You will probably want to choose the filter on the left hand column for Application Types that “Accepts Public Applications’ ‘. If you choose the other categories, those will need more work and certain connections to get into. There are options here for citizens and non-citizens. At the time of this article, there are more opportunities for non-citizens than citizens. If going to Germany is a dream for you. There are a couple of those at this time.
Visa Requirements
If you are interested in a place, you should find out what visa you would need. Sometimes, it says it on the program notification. There is a “Know Before You Go” page on the US government exchange page at: https://exchanges.state.gov/us/travel-living-arrangements
You can also call the Embassy of the country that you want to visit and get guidance from there. The embassies can even help you with the application for a visa. Write a letter to the Ambassador of the country you want to visit. They can push monitor your application if you ask them. https://www.usembassy.gov/
Living Arrangements
Stay with a host family if you can and make friends with people in the local culture. It is my suggestion for you to avoid hanging out with expats and other foreigners. The natives can show you the things you cannot learn from sightseers. My best friends are people from the countries that I have lived in.
Here is a list of websites where you can find information about housing:
https://worldofstudents.org/en/finding-a-place-to-live/
https://www.internationalstudent.com/study-abroad/housing/
The 7 Best Housing Resource Sites for Students Studying Abroad
Staying with strangers is scary for those whose parents didn’t allow for independence at the stage of development where that is important. In that case, be aware that it would be best for you to choose same sex living cohorts.
Getting Around
Studying abroad will change you in ways that you cannot know until you do it. You need to be aware of how public transportation works and use it. You won’t likely be able to drive a car abroad or the host family may not even have a car. Check out the apps ahead of time. See what areas have good connections. Talk to your host family ahead of time about how close the bus stop is and so on. Make sure you understand Kilometers because most of the world describes distance in KM and not “about 50 ft”.
Here are some apps to help you look around. Google Maps is great as well but it is best to use several different apps ahead of time so when you get there, you can see which one works best. Once you get there, ask your classmates about apps they use to get around. You will need to look ahead of time how to buy bus tickets and train tickets as well. Do they need cash, is there a machine or do you need to visit a kiosk or ticket taker? Can you buy one on the train from a person?
https://moovitapp.com/columbus_oh-1523/poi/en
Emergency plans
Make sure you know the police numbers and who to call in different situations. Check out all of those things at your country’s local Embassy when you arrive. My experience tells me that I don’t live in places that are too far from the Embassy of my homeland but that is totally up to you. Sign up with your local embassy for emergency alerts for the country you live in.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
Once you have received your Visa, sign up at the State Department website if you are American: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/about-us/mytravelgov.html
What are Travel Internships?
These are types of Study Abroad summer work that can build up your resume. They can earn money for a trip abroad and learn to work with international companies remotely.
Landing: Summer Travel Programs for Teens with Global Leadership Adventures – Google Search
.
https://www.projects-abroad.org/blog/best-summer-internships-for-high-school-students/
Funding considerations
Not only are there airline and living expenses, there are other expenses you will need to consider. You will have to have experiences and depending on where you live, those could be expensive. You will need to take language classes when you are those and most of those cost money. Transportation expenses vary. You may need to buy a bicycle. Clothing, extra-curricular activities, calls home, and more. You will probably need to buy a different cell because not all cell phones work in every country. So leave funds for the unknown and make sure you do as much research about cost of living items in the country you are considering. This will help you have a better grasp on reality a bit so that you can set your funding goals properly.
Funding is overwhelming, but stay positive and try every option if it will work. The only 3 things that can happen is that you get nothing, something but not enough and too much! Let’s go!
https://youth.gov/federal-links/department-state-high-school-study-abroad-scholarships
https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/high-school-study-abroad-scholarships
https://online.yfuusa.org/study-abroad/scholarships.php
https://www.goabroad.com/articles/scholarships-abroad/6-high-school-study-abroad-scholarships
https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/high-school-study-abroad/summer/high-school-study-abroad-scholarships
GoFundMe is popular. Take a look at some of the GoFundMe Travel requests so check out if it is right for you. https://www.gofundme.com/discover/travel-fundraiser
There are many ways to get that international experience as a teen that will catapult you into better future opportunities. You can hire one of our teachers to help you discuss your options. Search for study abroad experts on our page.
:
Keywords: travel, study abroad, living abroad, school abroad, study overseas