Choosing a study abroad program can feel exciting, but there may also be moments when the choice between two or more programs feels impossible to make. After all, it’s a big decision and there are dozens of destinations, program types, timelines, budgets, housing options, and academic requirements to consider. While it’s important to compare programs and providers, sometimes, the more options you look at, the harder it can be to decide. If you’re feeling stuck, take comfort in the knowledge that you’re not alone!
The good news is that choosing the right study abroad program is not about searching for the single perfect option. Instead, it means narrowing your choices in a smart, manageable way based on what matters most to you academically, financially, and personally. Below, you’ll find common questions students ask during the study abroad search process, along with practical solutions that can help you move forward with confidence.
Struggling to choose a study abroad program? Review these common concerns to help you refine your search!
How do I choose from so many study abroad programs?
Problem: When every program looks interesting, it can be hard to know where to start. AIFS Abroad, for example, offers hundreds of incredible programs across more than 30 exciting destinations! Comparing location, cost, term length, housing, language, and academics all at once can quickly turn excitement into decision paralysis.
Solution: Start by choosing two or three non-negotiables before you compare programs in detail. For example, you may choose business (academic interest), spring semester (term), and Italy (country). This will give you a good starting point and significantly narrow your search. On the AIFS Abroad website, you can filter programs for a range of criteria to help you easily pare down your options. The previous example (spring semester business program in Italy) will provide several options for you to compare.
How do I know if a study abroad program fits my degree?
Problem: One of the biggest reasons students hesitate is uncertainty about study abroad credits. If courses don’t transfer the way you expect, studying abroad can affect your class sequence or even delay graduation.
Solution: Map out all of your course requirements and your graduation timeline, then find programs that fit. You should also speak to your academic advisor and study abroad office and receive written pre-approval early to ensure there are no issues down the road. This is especially important if you have specific major requirements, lab courses, or a tightly sequenced graduation plan.
How can I tell what a study abroad program really costs?
Problem: For students on a budget, cost is one of the biggest factors in the decision-making process. And with multiple expenses to consider, it can be hard to estimate what studying abroad will actually cost.
Solution: Compare total cost, not just the program fee. Ask your study abroad office and your program advisor how much you can expect to pay out of pocket in addition to the program fee. You can also research online to learn more about a reasonable budget and the average cost of living in your program destination.
It’s also important to look at what’s included in the program price. For example, AIFS Abroad programs include housing, day trips and excursions, cultural and social activities, on-site staff, 24/7 emergency support, career readiness programming, and comprehensive insurance. In addition to the program fee, you may still need to budget for airfare, meals, local transportation, and everyday spending.
If you have financial aid, work with your financial aid office and program provider early to ensure you can put it towards studying abroad. Make sure to check any opportunities to apply for scholarships and grants, which can also reduce costs. Then, build a realistic weekly budget that includes everything to see if it’s feasible.
What if I choose the wrong study abroad program?
Problem: A lot of students get stuck because they feel pressure to make the perfect choice. They want a program that checks all their boxes and delivers the best possible experience, but because there are so many choices, they might have difficulty making a confident decision.
Solution: Remember that there is no single “perfect program.” If a program fits your academic and personal preferences, it won’t be the wrong choice.
To find the right program, one that suits your specific academic needs and personal preferences, you should start by clarifying your goals. Do you want language immersion, major credit, independence, or a shorter-term option? Once you know what factors define your ideal program, choosing becomes much easier. All you have to do is rank your top goals, then choose the program that best matches those priorities, rather than trying to maximize every category.
How do I know which study abroad information I can trust?
Problem: Many programs sound similar, which makes it hard to tell what daily life will really look like. You want honest answers about housing, support, class style, and what it feels like to live there, but it can be difficult to tell what’s real and what’s just savvy marketing.
Solution: Talk to study abroad alumni and read about their experiences, attend an info session, browse third-party reviews, and ask direct questions about housing, commute, staff support, class expectations, and student life. Also, keep in mind that if you choose a reputable study abroad program (like AIFS Abroad!), all the information should be clearly outlined and verifiable.
How do I know if a study abroad destination/program is safe?
Problem: Safety and health concerns can deter students from applying, especially first-time travelers. Worries about healthcare, discrimination, political instability, or being far from home are valid and can affect both students and their families or support network.
Solution: Start by reviewing destination-specific health and safety information, then look at what your institution and program provider offer in terms of health and safety. For example, you should look for programs that provide the following:
- On-site support
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Safe, vetted housing options
- Comprehensive insurance
- Established health and safety policies
AIFS Abroad provides all of the above, and our team monitors safety developments daily so we can offer informed risk assessments and proactively support students, rather than simply react if issues arise.
How can I tell what it would actually be like to live abroad?
Problem: If you have never traveled internationally, it can be hard to picture daily life abroad. A city may sound exciting online, but still feel like an unknown in terms of routine, culture, transportation, and housing. You can’t really know what it’s like to live in a destination abroad until you’ve lived there.
Solution: To help you get a better idea of what it’s like, research the experience of living and studying there (our student spotlights or Instagram takeovers are a great place to start!). You should also look at housing options, the commute to and from classes, local culture, class format, independence, campus environment, and opportunities to bond with other students. While nothing replaces firsthand experience, researching daily life can help you build a much clearer picture of what to expect.
What if my family is nervous about me studying abroad?
Problem: Even if you’re excited about studying abroad, your family or support network may still have concerns. It’s natural for loved ones to worry about safety, cost, academics, or whether study abroad is “worth it”. That added pressure can make it harder to feel confident in your decision.
Solution: Fortunately, there’s a way to respect your family’s concerns and choose to study abroad with confidence. Bring your family into the planning process and provide them with all the facts. Share the academic plan, the budget, the support resources, and the reasons this experience fits your goals. Having them speak with a representative from your study abroad program or attending an info session can also help to alleviate their concerns.
Do I need to be fluent in another language to study abroad?
Problem: Language anxiety can make studying abroad feel out of reach. Some students assume they need to speak or study a second language to study abroad.
Solution: While language immersion is a major benefit of studying abroad for some college students, you don’t need to speak or learn a second language to study abroad—and you can often get by with English in most major cities around the world. That being said, you may want to consider taking a language course while you’re abroad; doing so can drastically improve your level of cultural immersion—but you by no means have to.
And if you’re looking to avoid foreign languages entirely, you can choose a study abroad program in an English-speaking destination.
If you’re studying abroad in order to learn a second language, make sure you check the level of language immersion and types of classes you can enroll in to ensure you’ll be sufficiently challenged.
How do I choose a study abroad program that supports my future goals?
Problem: Many college students want to study abroad, but don’t necessarily understand what they would like to gain from the experience or have trouble prioritizing a variety of considerations (professional experience, cultural immersion, foreign language practice, resume value, travel, etc.). Without clear goals for study abroad, every option can look equally right or equally wrong.
Solution: Decide what kind of outcome matters most to you. That might be cultural immersion, language development, academics, internship experience, affordability, travel, or staying on track academically.
To get you started, finish this sentence before you choose a program: “I want study abroad to help me ______.”
When should I start planning for study abroad?
Problem: The choice to study abroad involves more than simply choosing a destination. You also need time for applications, course approvals, housing forms, flights, and, depending on where you’re going, a passport or visa.
Solution: Students who act fast may not need more than a few months to plan their study abroad program (depending on deadlines); however, it’s helpful to give yourself as much time as possible. We usually recommend planning to study abroad 9 – 12 months in advance and considering the prospect even earlier, if possible. This will allow you to think through your decision carefully and prepare everything you need to go abroad without feeling rushed.
Make a planning checklist with dates for advising, applications, financial aid questions, passport or visa tasks, and pre-departure forms.
What if I’m lonely, homesick, or get culture shock abroad?
Problem: Away from your family and friends back home, it’s normal for you to feel concerned about being lonely, homesick, or experiencing culture shock when you study abroad.
Solution: Think honestly about the kind of support and environment you need. If these are serious concerns, you might look at programs that offer built-in support, as well as social activities and excursions that help you meet fellow students in your program. Making friends on your study abroad program will help ease your loneliness and homesickness and ensure you not only feel happy to be there but also have a local network of people who know exactly what you’re going through.
Additionally, culture shock is a normal part of the experience for study abroad students, and for the vast majority of them, it’s totally manageable and passes with time. If culture shock has you worried, you might consider a country with a culture more similar to your own.
Remember that many students experience culture shock and homesickness at some point, even if they ultimately describe studying abroad as one of the best experiences of their lives.
Quick Checklist to Help You Choose a Study Abroad Program
- Define your top priorities: What do you want to get out of this experience?
- Confirm academic fit: Which programs will help you stay on track to graduate?
- Compare total cost: Which programs fit into your budget?
- Review program resources: Which programs provide the support, housing, safety resources, and inclusions you need, and is that information clearly explained?
- Start early: Are you planning on studying abroad? Then, begin researching programs now!
Ready to stop second-guessing and start planning? AIFS Abroad can help you find a study abroad program that feels right from the start!
A lot goes into choosing a study abroad program. After all, this single choice includes considerations about courses, credits, timing, cost, support, housing, activities, and more. That can feel overwhelming at first, but when you break the decision into smaller questions and answer them one by one, the right program becomes much easier to identify.
If you want a program that combines safe housing, 24/7 emergency assistance, comprehensive insurance, exciting program destinations, enriching excursions and activities, 60+ years of study abroad experience, and trusted on-site support that helps you feel confident from day one—look no further than AIFS Abroad.
If you still have trouble deciding on a program that fits your needs and preferences, the AIFS Abroad team can help!
