I recently returned from a year of studying abroad in Finland during the 2023-24 school year. Prior to starting studying abroad, whenever I mentioned that I was planning to study abroad for a year, I often received remarks, such as “A year?! That’s so long! I could never…”. I never understood why? After all, who wouldn’t want to spend a year in a foreign country?
Though study abroad was one of the highlights of my time in college, my experience studying abroad and returning after a year abroad had me reflecting on the pros and cons of the experience.
Pros
Cons
Nevertheless, with a clear understanding of the pros and cons of studying abroad for a year, one can enter the experience fully-informed of their experience, with realistic expectations, that support them to make the most out of their time abroad!