A lot of people I know have studied abroad and had a great time. I would love to do something like this but I’m afraid it will set me behind. I’m not sure if it is the best path for me. I know it would be a great experience but I wouldn’t even know where to start. Any advice on this?
Sincerly,
Wondering about Wandering
First and foremost, you should never shy away from such an amazing opportunity when it presents itself. Studying abroad is something that not enough college students take advantage of. Marywood actually has an excellent Office of International Affairs, run by David Crisci and Nancy Maloney. If you’re worried about it setting your graduation time back, don’t be. Before you leave, you get your credits approved to transfer back to Marywood. To get started, you should start to think about what places around the world you’d like to visit. Usually, some time in your junior year is the prime time to go abroad but it can be done earlier or later if you’d prefer. Another option is to do a summer trip where you only go for a short period and take two or three classes. This way you don’t have to commit to staying away for an entire semester. Experiencing new cultures is something that everyone should do in their life and you will probably never get another opportunity like the one that studying abroad offers.
I’m a junior and I’m trying to figure out if my major is something I really want to spend the rest of my life doing. I like most of my classes, but I’m just not sure if it’s really what I am willing to commit to. Do you have any suggestions for me?
Sincerly,
Jumbled-Up Junior
A lot of people have the same question. Since you like your classes, that’s a good start. You are at least enjoying your field in general. In order to decide what to do within that area, there are a few things you could do. You could talk to your professors and see what they suggest you try. You could interview some people actually working in your field currently; just ask a few questions about what they do and the pros and cons of it. Or, you could try to start working in the field before you graduate. You can apply for part-time jobs or internships to give you some idea of whether or not this is the career for you. By working at a part-time job or internship, you will get a clear idea of what you could do after graduation and gain some experience in the field at the same time.