Why Study Abroad for an Academic Year?

Students have a lot of choices when it comes to studying abroad. In addition to selecting the perfect location, coursework, and time of year, students must also decide how long to stay. One option that provides several benefits is staying for an entire school year. Although some students may be intimidated by this time-commitment, returned study abroad student Ana Lucia and Academic Advisor Nicole Staab explain why an Academic Year program may be the perfect fit.

Adventure

There’s so much to do and see while abroad. From iconic monuments to local hangouts, every study abroad location offers tons of activities and mini-adventures. Instead of counting weekends to plan excursions and worrying about fitting in bucket list items, Academic Year students can take things slowly, stop to appreciate the small things, and still not miss out on any must-see attractions.

“One of the key takeaways from going for a whole academic year is that it allowed me time to feel like Paris was truly my home. I was in no rush, I could take everything in, take life slow, and appreciate everything about the city. Museums are free for students, so I could go to a new, iconic museum every weekend. I could walk the city whenever I wanted, have a picnic at the Eiffel Tower, try new French cuisine, go to a park, a concert, an art show, a market; there was just so much to do!”

–Ana Lucia (Paris, France: Academic Year 2019-2020)

Additionally, students who go abroad for a full school year get to experience seasonal changes and holidays or events spread throughout the year.

“I was able to see the whole year of seasons; I arrived in summer, where all of the flowers were in full bloom, the Luxembourg Gardens were beautiful, Versailles, everything. Come Christmas, I could see the beautiful Christmas markets and lights throughout the city. Then I could see it all cycle again. This also allowed me to experience many different events held in different months- in the city, but also in other countries, like Oktoberfest in Germany.”

–Ana Lucia

Self-Discovery

Studying abroad means furthering one’s independence, self-reliance, and confidence. Going for a full year means practicing these skills over time and turning them into habits.

“My year abroad in South Korea taught me so many life lessons but most importantly it taught me to believe in myself. Being away in a foreign country will undoubtedly bring some fears, but the courage to take the first step into a new adventure will bring so many meaningful life experiences. Studying abroad will help you grow into your true self. Do not let the fear hold you back!”

–Nicole Staab (Study Abroad Alumna and Academic Advisor for Film & Television)

Connection

Meeting people from around the world is one of the best ways to broaden one’s perspective and appreciate the global community. Some of the best friends, professors, and mentors can be found while studying abroad, and spending a whole year with them can help strengthen that bond.

“For the friends I made that also were there for both semesters, I was able to grow even closer to them. Additionally, I was able to meet new people each semester, since some people only came for Fall and others only for Spring. I grew even closer to my “host mom”, and she became a really close friend of mine, as well. It was hard having such a tight knit group of friends my first semester, where the majority of them were only there for one semester. It was difficult to transition into making new friends again, and I really missed them. But it also helped me appreciate the friends that did stay for the year, and it allowed me to make new friends, as well.”

–Ana Lucia

Additionally, students abroad can find ways to stay connected with friends and family at home. Through video calls, virtual hangouts, trips home for winter break, or even having people come visit throughout the year, students can avoid feeling like they’re missing out on connections and activities back home.

“It was actually difficult to go home in the end. My life felt so established in Paris, and I fell in love with the city. I was comfortable in my life there, and I wanted to travel more, learn more, and stay with my friends. On the other hand, it was hard not seeing my friends and family—they were not only far away, but it was sometimes difficult to feel connected to them due to the time difference. I went home for Christmas break, and I was really happy I did. It felt like no time had gone by, and it was amazing to get caught up on everyone’s lives at home, share my experiences, and know that I still had a whole other semester to live it up! That return home was like a recharge for me, seeing all of my loved ones together.”

–Ana Lucia

Academics

Whether a student takes classes for their major, general education coursework, or for a second language, the University of Arizona’s partner universities abroad offer excellent academic opportunities. Plus, learning through a different culture’s perspective is an eye-opening experience. For example, students might explore astronomy from a different hemisphere, or world history from a different country’s point of view, or ecology in a different ecosystem. Additionally, students studying a language have the opportunity to practice in and outside of the classroom. The longer a student stays abroad, the more incredible classes they can take.

“I was able to get a better hang of French; I saw tremendous improvement in my classes from one semester to the next. I was also able to experience more courses at an amazing university, make more connections with professors, attend more career development events, and overall expand my knowledge.”

–Ana Lucia

Certain majors even create plans for students to study abroad all year. For example, the Chemistry department provides a Global Track for students that allows them to attend UA Tarragona (in Tarragona, Spain) for the entirety of their Junior year. By planning ahead with their academic advisor, Chemistry students can take the following courses in Spain.