Every year, hundreds of thousands of college students embark on unforgettable study abroad experiences. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors often think studying abroad isn’t an option for them because of their degree requirements. But the truth is, many STEM majors are eligible to study abroad without delaying graduation, as long as they meet a few criteria and complete a couple of key steps.
Discover how STEM majors can stay on track while they study abroad with AIFS Abroad!
Can STEM Majors Study Abroad?
The short answer is YES, many STEM majors can study abroad if they do some planning and find a program that aligns with their degree.
Eligibility to study abroad as a STEM major may depend on your university’s requirements, along with your individual academic track, degree requirements, and timeline. Not only is it possible, but many STEM majors can actually benefit from studying abroad!
Benefits of Studying Abroad as a STEM Major
Studying abroad offers numerous benefits to STEM majors, including:
- Learn region-specific techniques and innovations: Science, technology, engineering, and math fields are studied in nearly every major city and country around the world. Oftentimes, methodologies, techniques, and innovations may vary from region to region, or even institution to institution. Studying abroad can unlock unique experiences and perspectives you may not be able to get at home.
- Access specialized labs and equipment: Similarly, other institutions may have highly specialized labs or equipment that aren’t available at your home university. So, by studying abroad, you may be able to gain access to these facilities or connect with researchers, professors, and students who use them.
- Gain exposure to unique sites: Some STEM majors can benefit from taking their studies to certain environments and sites that are important for research in their field. For example, students pursuing degrees in botany, zoology, or marine biology could benefit from a study abroad program in Perth, where they’ll have access to nearby Rottnest Island, home to endemic flora and fauna.
- Learn new skills: When you study abroad, you’ll gain valuable hard and soft skills. In addition to building industry-specific and technical skills, you’ll also learn how to become more flexible, independent, and open-minded.
- Build global industry connections: By studying abroad, you can network with professors, students, and researchers in the industry, thereby building a robust international network.
- Strengthen cross-cultural communication: STEM fields are often very technical, which can make cross-cultural communication especially difficult. Having experience communicating complex technical concepts to people with different cultural backgrounds will help prepare STEM students for multinational teams and global project collaboration.
- Travel the world while you earn credits: If you plan to jump into a career or pursue another degree after graduation, college may be your best window to explore the world. Studying abroad lets you immerse yourself in a new culture, earn academic credit, and create unforgettable experiences—before life’s next chapter makes long-term travel harder to fit in.
How to Study Abroad as a STEM Major
Wondering, “How can I study abroad as a STEM major?” The following tips will help you get started:
1. Speak to your academic advisor: You should start by speaking with your academic advisor at your home university. They can confirm your eligibility to study abroad, help you go over your options, and advise when the best time to go abroad might be so you stay on track for graduation.
2. Research countries, programs, and courses: Once you know you’re eligible to study abroad, you should do some research to find a program that aligns with your personal preferences and academic needs. If your school has a study abroad office or a study abroad staff member, speak with them to see if they have any recommendations. Look for programs offering courses that fulfill degree requirements and destinations that are known for your specific field of study.
AIFS Abroad offers many full-curriculum programs that give students access to the host institution’s entire course catalog, so you can take high-level courses as long as you meet the pre-requisites! Additionally, if you still have GenEd courses you need to take in order to graduate, a study abroad program is the perfect opportunity to complete them.
3. Choose the right term: Pick a term that fits your academic track the best. For example, if you want to study abroad as a junior but have on-campus obligations during spring semester, a fall semester program may be a great option.
Additionally, if you are not able to go abroad for a full semester, consider a short-term study abroad program such as a summer, May Term, spring break, Winter Quarter, or a January Term program.
If none of these options are possible for you, consider studying abroad as a high school or recent college graduate—that’s right, you don’t have to be in college to study or intern abroad!
Where Should I Study Abroad as a STEM Major?
You can study abroad just about anywhere as a STEM major, as long as the program meets both your academic and university’s requirements. That being said, there are several study abroad destinations that are a great fit for many STEM majors due to their academic environment, local industries, host universities’ facilities, and/or the courses available to you with AIFS Abroad; these include:
- Limerick, Ireland
- Dublin, Ireland
- Sydney, Australia
- Perth, Australia
- Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Athens, Greece
- Valencia, Spain
- San José, Costa Rica
- London, England (summer)
Earn credits toward your STEM degree and travel the world simultaneously with AIFS Abroad!
Being a STEM major often requires that you take a lot of highly specialized courses, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the life-changing experience of studying abroad. At AIFS Abroad, we offer a variety of study abroad programs that can help STEM majors fulfill their degree requirements. Plus, with AIFS Abroad you’ll receive a number of valuable program inclusions (so you can focus on cultural and academic experiences abroad), including housing, social and cultural activities and excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, as well as pre-arrival and on-site support.
