Can I afford to study abroad?

Ask nearly any student who studied abroad, and they’ll often report that international education enhances any field of study. 

Business students gain firsthand exposure to international markets, communication students earn invaluable exposure to new media and social environments, education majors observe teaching methodologies in a new country and even STEM-focused students find immense value in learning with and from international scientists, engineers and other professionals.

International experience delivers practical competencies for which employers are looking.

Students who study abroad develop:

• Language proficiency: Even basic second-language skills distinguish candidates in competitive job markets, while full fluency opens doors to additional career paths.
• Adaptability and resilience: Navigating unfamiliar environments develops confidence. Students who master a complicated subway system or communicate in a second language often report a newfound confidence in professional settings.
• Cultural competency: Understanding diverse perspectives and communication styles proves essential in globalized workplaces where teams span continents and cultures.
• Independence and confidence: Managing daily life in a foreign country demonstrates self-reliance and decision-making capabilities that translate directly to professional settings.
• Global networks: International connections made during study abroad can evolve into professional relationships, collaborative opportunities and career pathways that span borders.

Beginning the study abroad process requires much less effort than many students anticipate. 

The journey typically starts with a single information session where advisors explain available programs, answer questions about logistics and help students envision how international education fits their academic plans.

Academic advisors work with students to ensure study abroad courses fulfill degree requirements, preventing delays in graduation. Many programs offer general education credits, major requirements and elective options that keep students on track academically while providing international perspectives.

Students can begin by reviewing the starting out checklist.

Students often worry about homesickness and adapting to a completely new place, especially if they've never left the United States. While that's normal, BGSU provides extensive resources to make sure students feel supported at every stage.

Resident directors and program coordinators serve as on-ground support, offering guidance for everything from navigating public transportation to addressing academic questions. 

Many programs create built-in communities where participating students support each other, forming bonds through shared experiences of discovery and adjustment.

Students who study abroad consistently identify the experience as a defining moment in their college careers and personal development.

Every BGSU student who studied abroad started from the ground up by gathering information and asking questions.

Students return with expanded worldviews, increased confidence, practical skills and memories that shape the trajectories of their lives well after graduation day, but it all begins with a single step.

The journey toward a new educational journey can begin as soon as today.