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Computer Programming

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May Term

Semester Abroad in Vietnam: Academic Access in a New Way

Verified By: Student Exchange Vietnam -

0 reviews - Vietnam - Hanoi, Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam - Da Nang

This study tour is one of a kind in providing you with amazing lifetime experience in Vietnam - South East Asia, a dynamic and fast-growing region ...

Study Abroad Programs

Benjamin Franklin, inventor and United States founding father, once said, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Studying abroad is one of the best ways to be "involved" and not only learn via hands on experience but also make memories for the rest of your life! While abroad, you will learn what makes the different cultures of the world unique, try a variety of exotic foods, and meet all kinds of interesting people with remarkable stories. You'll also be in the perfect position to quickly pick up another language. Ask any language expert the best way to learn a language and they will tell you, "Go to the place where it is spoken to learn from native speakers!" To truly master a language you need to be constantly surrounded by the language which will force you to learn to speak it out of necessity.

Speaking several languages is an essential skill in today’s society, but understanding how to work with people from around the globe is even more important. Does yes really mean yes in China? Is pointing with your index finger rude in some places? Which country is it polite to hang up on someone? Who should you kiss, nod at, or shake a hand when greeting? Are you standing too close or too far from someone? Are you talking too much or too little? Can you negotiate the price of an item or contract or not? These are just a few of the social intricacies woven deep inside of a culture which you cannot learn until you live with and truly experience that culture.

Studying abroad will lead you to a world full of exciting landscapes. From the world’s highest mountains in Tibet and Nepal to the world’s lowest point, the Dead Sea in Israel and Jordan, there is so much beauty and wonder for the eye of the traveler to behold. Asia’s multi-tiered rice paddies shine like mirrors reflecting the sun’s rays back to heaven. Africa’s largely undisturbed natural environment is teeming with all kinds of fascinating wildlife that freely roam the land. The tropical rain forests and diverse species that inhabit South America are unique to that part of the world. The history and ancient architecture in Europe and the Middle East are breathtaking. Regardless of which country you choose for your study abroad program, you are sure to have an experience of a lifetime (and some great photos).

The world has timeless lessons to teach us, but as Ben Franklin reminds us, we must get out and get involved to truly learn them. Get involved today by choosing a study abroad program that best fits your schedule and goals. A world of opportunities awaits you.

How to choose the best study abroad program for you

You know you want to study abroad but where? Choosing just one amazing new country to study in may not be an easy decision. Here are some questions to help you decide which program is best for you.

1. What is your personality?

Are you adventurous or prefer staying inside? If you like quiet settings, you may wish to find a program in a smaller city that is easy to navigate.

Are you risk adverse or up for anything? Do you like trying new food or do you eat the same thing every day? Does it bother you when you have an irregular schedule or when you can’t communicate with the people around you? If you’re up for anything and some adventure, then choose a country where few people speak your language.

2. What are some of your favorite places or activities?

Do you like warm locations or snow? Do you like surfing or skiing (or both)? Don’t be afraid to try new things and not just stick with your favorite activities, but you will want to choose a place where you can find some things you enjoy to do.

3. How much time do you have and who do you know?

Do you have one semester or a full year or two to spend abroad? Check with your school to confirm just how much time you will have and what foreign schools your school has established connections with. Do you have any friends or family in other countries? Choosing a place where you have some connections always makes life easier.

4. What is your budget?

If you’ve answered the above question as being risk adverse, then you had better choose an all inclusive program meaning the study abroad provider will do everything for you. They will pick you up from the airport, locate expat level housing for you, get you set up with a language school (if needed) and help you with the smallest problems such as setting up a cell phone or finding the nearest grocery store. While this type of program is the easiest, it is also the most expensive. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind doing your own legwork, you can usually choose a simplified program that may have you living with the locals and figuring out the language on your own.

5. What is your primary goal?

Are you hoping to learn a language? Are you looking for an international perspective on your particular major? Are you hoping for an experience of a lifetime? Figuring out your objectives ahead of time will ensure that you achieve them and make the most of your study abroad program.

Study Abroad Tips

We all want an experience of a lifetime and studying abroad can give you just that! However, studying abroad is not for everyone and sometimes can be challenging amidst the excitement. We polled several people who have studied abroad before and asked them for tips about things they wished they had known prior to arriving at their new destination.

- Lena, studying abroad in America.

" One thing I wished I had known ahead of time was how big and diverse the United States really is. Every state has its own culture and feel to it and had I known this ahead of time, I would have allowed myself more time to travel and couch surf. Also, Americans are very friendly and sarcastic! It took me a while to get some of their jokes but eventually I started getting all of them. One tip before going to America is to figure out if your city has a good public transit system or not. The city I was in was quite large (5 million people) but had no metro and the buses almost never ran. If you’re gong to be in America for more than 6 months or a year, you may want to look at getting a second hand car just to get around town easier. "

- Albert, studying abroad in China.

" China was the most interesting place I have ever lived. I purposely chose a smaller city as I knew that there would be less temptation to speak English than in Beijing or Shanghai and I would be forced to speak Chinese as much as possible. It was difficult at first but after a few months, I was more comfortable when speaking to the locals. My advice is starting from day one, just get out and say whatever word you learned that day. In my experience, you’ll entertain the locals and they’ll repeat the word back to you in the correct pronunciation so it’s a win-win situation. I don’t eat meat so I would advise anyone with a particular diet to carefully check what the locals eat in the area you are going to. Chinese people eat quite a lot of meat and often thought it was a little odd that I only eat vegetables as eating meat symbolizes that you are wealthy."

- Joao, studying abroad in Europe.

" Europe was very cool but I didn’t do enough prep work before going and just took classes that sounded interesting without checking with my school back home to make sure the credits would count. Whoops. Luckily, all but one class counted but I’d suggest to others to plan a bit better than I did. It was hard for me to choose just one country in Europe but I ended up going to a place with one of my friends which came in handy down the road. So another suggestion is, if it’s your first time abroad, go to a place where you know someone or go with someone. Always good to know someone has your back in a foreign place."

- Louisa, studying abroad in Japan.

" I unfortunately had an accident while biking (completely my own clumsy fault) so I learned very quickly that international student insurance is essential to have when studying abroad! I was also very thankful to have chosen a location that had an international hospital and an international airport so my family could come and take care of me almost immediately. I’m not saying don’t study in a remote location but if you do, definitely take extra precautions to be safe! Japan was great but I quickly used up my spending cash as it’s pretty pricey to live there. My advice is to ask your host school about how much money you’ll need during your time there so that you don’t run out of cash in the middle of your stay."

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Semester Abroad in Vietnam: Academic Access in a New Way

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