Take a moment to evaluate the following questions in your own life. They may help you to determine the type and length of program you should seek for study abroad.

I. Objectives

• Why do you want to study abroad?
• Where in the world do you want to go and why?
• How does study abroad compliment past accomplishments or work?
• How will study abroad help you achieve your goals for the future?
• What can you learn from studying in another country that you cannot learn in the United States and at YSU?

II. Personal Considerations

• Are you interested in living totally immersed within another culture, or might you like to study with other Americans in another country?
• How do you adjust to new and unfamiliar situations?
• What kind of living situation do you prefer: Host family, student dormitory with residents of the host country, student dormitory with other American study abroad students, alone in an apartment?
• Would you prefer to arrange meals, housing, and travel preparations, or would you like your program to take care of these considerations?
• What languages are you interested in learning?
• How have your family and friends responded to your ideas about study abroad?
• Do you know someone who has been to this country/city before?
• Have you traveled before?

III. Practical Considerations

• Do you receive financial aid?
• When do you plan to go?
• How long do you plan to live abroad?
• How much money do you have to spend?
• Do you have other means of financial support?
• Am I eligible to apply for other scholarships, fellowships, grants, or loans?
• Do you have the ability to take a leave of absence from your job(s)?
• What other real-life considerations do you need to think about before planning a study abroad program?

IV. Academic Considerations

• What sort of courses would you like to take?
• Do you want your courses to be applicable to your major?
• Are you interested in more general coursework?
• How important is it that you receive academic credits for your coursework studied?
• Do you want to take courses in English or the language of the destination country?
• Can you read, write, or speak in the language of your destination country?
• How has your academic advisor responded to your plans?