What Are Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in the USA?
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to spend a year living and studying in the United States? Sometimes called the “land of opportunity,” academic year study abroad programs in the United States may offer a unique and enriching opportunity to study in a great university and explore a new culture. Whether you want to study English in the United States, experience what it’s like to live in a new part of the world, or move out of your comfort zone, programs to study abroad in the United States may have a lot to offer.
Why Consider Year Long Study Abroad Programs in the USA?
Thinking about Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in the USA? The US is a huge place, about three thousand miles from coast to coast, with diverse flora, fauna, and local cultures. Your potential study abroad opportunities might be just as varied, colored by the region, local community, program type, and the school itself. As such, you might be able to find a program suited to your interests.
Spending the year in a study abroad program in the United States might be a great way to take your undergraduate education to the next level. Gaining international experience, studying, living, and working in a new culture—and a new language, if you’re not a native English speaker—might be one thing that differentiates you from the competition. Once you graduate, the cultural insight you might have gained from studying abroad may be an attractive quality to some potential employers.
Spending a full academic year in the United States may give you the time you need to really learn what American culture is like. You may have time not only to experience multiple seasons and some American holidays, but even to travel, exploring the continent’s beautiful vistas, parks, cities, museums and landmarks.
Study English in the United States
Want to study English in the United States? While the United States doesn’t technically have an official language, American English is predominantly spoken, not only in social contexts, but also academic and professionally. As such, studying in the United States might be a great way for you to gain that immersive English learning experience you need to develop your fluency.
If you’re already an advanced English learner and want the opportunity to study in a program conducted exclusively in English, the United States may be a great choice for you, as the majority of colleges, universities, and communities are English-speaking. But what if you’re a beginner and need a little more support? Specialized English as a Second Language (ESL) programs may be available at your level, to help you learn to speak, read, and write more comfortably in English in academic, professional, and social contexts. This may even include a stay with a host family, depending on the program in question, which would provide the opportunity to practice your English even more outside of a classroom context.
Choosing Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in the USA
With the amount of options at your fingertips to study in the United States, how do you figure out which of the Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in the USA are right for you? That might depend on factors like your preferred area of study, campus or community type, region, the types of experiences you’re interested in, and more.
Narrowing your search to a region you really want to experience may be one way to help you to make the most of your year abroad. Are you fascinated by the fast pace of city life of a place like New York? Or are you intrigued by the famously welcoming atmosphere (not to mention warmer climate) of the south? Or maybe you prefer the laid-back and progressive nature of the west coast. Depending on your field, you may even prefer programs at certain schools, or in certain areas relevant to your chosen industry. Whatever your preferences, if you have a specific region in mind, you might find great programs to attend in that area.
Another way to narrow down your choices is to think about the types of experiences you need your program to offer. Are you looking for an intensive English language program? Maybe you’re interested in programs offering a homestay option, allowing you to see what it’s like to live with an American family in a typical neighborhood. Or do you want a program that facilitates travel experiences during your stay? Focusing on Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in the USA that allow you to pursue the study abroad experiences you want may help you identify places you’d like to apply.
Preparing To Attend Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in the United States
In order to make the most of your year studying in the United States, you may have some preparation to do before you get there. From monetary concerns, to logistics, to academics, figuring out as much as possible in advance may help you to focus on making the most of your year abroad while you’re there.
Here’s a list of things you may want to think about:
- How are you going to pay for it?
Studying abroad can get pricey. You might be planning to use your student loans to cover some or all of the cost. You may also be able to find and apply for scholarships or grants, in addition to paying in cash with your own savings. When you’re budgeting your trip, remember that you may have other expenses than the cost of the program itself, including things like transportation, spending money for food and other necessities, travel, as well as unexpected expenses or emergencies. - What type of visa do you need?
Whether you’re planning to travel outside the United States during your stay, or getting a job or internship may influence the type of visa you need. Make sure that your travel paperwork is appropriate for your needs and activities before you go! - How Does It Fit Into Your Academics?
Make sure you follow up with your university program, for any relevant information about how your courses and experience in the United States may or may not transfer. This may influence the program you choose to enroll in, or the classes you take while you’re there.
These may not be your only concerns. Depending on your needs, you may have other ideas to add to this list of things to cover. Luckily, with some preparation, you can set yourself up to make the most of your year abroad studying in the United States.
Find Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in the United States Today
Ready to start looking for Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in the USA? StudyAbroad.com can help! If you are interested in studying a certain subject while you’re in the US, select that subject from the menu to read more about what it’s like to spend a year studying that topic in the United States. Then start reading up on sponsored program listings, and reach out to the ones that sound promising. Don’t wait any longer. Take advantage of that study abroad experience you’ve been looking for!
