Not sure when to study abroad? While there is no wrong time, there are plenty of advantages to studying abroad during the fall semester. From dreamy holiday markets to the buzz of a new school year, you’ll love your fall study abroad adventure.
Here are a few of the many reasons why you’ll love doing a study abroad during fall semester.
1. The Weather
Fall semester is a beautiful time of year for hiking, sightseeing, and visiting new places, especially if you’ve been stuck in the same routine at home. Experience autumn throughout most of Europe and the Northern Hemisphere – or choose a destination in the Southern Hemisphere and get a sneak-peek of spring weather. If you love the summer sun, extend the warm weather into fall semester by choosing a more tropical destination! From autumn festivals to leaf peeping, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy during your fall semester abroad.
2. Holiday Markets
Experience the holiday season abroad! Europe in particular is well-known for its many holiday markets during the month of December. When you study abroad during fall semester, you can experience the magic of these iconic wintertime events and even surprise your loved ones with unique gifts from your travels when you return home.
3. Time to Prepare
By choosing to study abroad during fall semester, you’ll have the whole summer to prepare for — and daydream about! — your upcoming adventure. From renewing your passport to packing your bags, you can get a major jumpstart on preparing for your fall semester abroad before it’s time to depart.
4. Avoid FOMO
When you study abroad during the fall, you won’t miss graduation season, spring sports and activities, or end-of-the-school-year celebrations at your home campus. Are you a senior graduating in the spring? Studying abroad during fall ensures that you’ll be back in time to put the finishing touches on your degree on-campus. You’ll also be home in time to land a summer job or internship.
5. Back-to-School Buzz
One of the best parts of studying abroad? Making friends from all over the world! Although this can happen at any time of the year, it can be a little easier to make new friends abroad at the beginning of a new school year. Plus, AIFS Abroad programs include a ton of social and cultural activities that can help you make meaningful connections throughout the fall semester.
Here’s what some of our alumni have to say about their experience studying abroad during the fall semester:
“The seasons of Budapest are very similar to my hometown, which was nice as I didn’t have to adjust to an entirely different climate. I think fall was the perfect time [because] when I got to Budapest, I got to [enjoy] the heat of the summer while exploring the beautiful flowers all around. By the end of my time, the cold had set in, and I [could experience] all the winter activities that Budapest puts on. Highlights of the winter season were the first snowfall, ice skating rinks, and best of all… the Christmas markets!” – Caitlin P., AIFS Abroad in Budapest, Hungary alum
“I had a wonderful time in Fall 2019. Staff and programs were fantastic and helped create a wonderful experience for me!” – Brooke T., AIFS Abroad in Salzburg, Austria alum
“I studied abroad in the fall of 2019, in Barcelona, Spain. These four months were some of the best four months of my life! Everyone from AIFS was super helpful, nice, and fun! My apartment was great and in a convenient location! There is nothing I would change about my experience.” – Jacob N., AIFS in Barcelona, Spain alum
Dreaming of spending your fall semester on a study abroad program?
AIFS Abroad offers a range of fall semester program options, including study abroad, full-time internship, and Study + Internship opportunities.
