Are There Any Short-Term Study Abroad Programs?

Through a study abroad program, you can experience diverse cultures, meet new people, and gain a broader world view. But a semester can be a long time away from your family, friends, and home. If you aren’t ready to commit to a full-semester study abroad program, you could opt for a short-term one instead. Short-term study abroad programs offer the same cultural experience, but in a condensed timeframe.

Benefits of Short-Term Study Abroad Programs

Study abroad programs allow you to enhance your education in another part of the world. When you participate in one of these experiences, you immerse yourself in a new culture. You meet new people, see new sights, and perhaps even learn a new language. You also broaden your view of the world and develop a global mindset. And the experience could help your future career prospects. Employers value study abroad experiences and students who participate in them have higher graduate school acceptance rates.

But regular study abroad programs require a large commitment of time and finances. They may not fit your life if you play sports or have a major with significant internship or clinical requirements. You could spend a semester or an entire year abroad, and the costs are generally not covered by tuition. And if you’ve never been on your own in another country, the prospect can be a little intimidating.

Shorter programs that only last a week or two are less expensive and often covered by tuition. Flights, transportation, lodging, and meals may all be covered by your university. You may not learn a new language, but you can test out one you’re learning. These abbreviated programs often have themes that align with an academic focus. Because the programs are sponsored by your school, they’re often chaperoned so you’re not entirely on your own. You still get to explore, but you do so with some level of familiarity. And the structure of the programs means you see and experience as much as possible in a short time.

Just because the programs are short doesn’t mean they won’t impact your life. Research indicates that short-term programs can help students overcome psychological barriers of studying abroad, and those students sometimes go on to pursue longer study abroad experiences. So, if you’re worried about getting homesick or are wary of travel after the pandemic, a short-term study abroad is a great way to dip your toes into a world travel experience.

Study Abroad Preparation

Before you sign up for any study abroad program, you must be in good academic standing. Most study abroad programs are open to all students, regardless of major, provided they have met the academic requirements. This could include completing a certain number of credit hours, being a full-time student, or taking prerequisite courses. Are you ready to go? Here are some next steps:

• Register for the Course—Most short-term study abroad programs are part of a course for which you receive academic credit. Once you decide which trip you want to go on, register for the respective course as you would any other course.
• Get a Passport—If you already have one, make sure it isn’t set to expire until at least six months after you return from the trip.
• Prepare for International Travel— Short term program coordinators will help you with trip details such as vaccination requirements, COVID protocol, and host country customs. But you may want to contact your cell phone carrier to modify your plan for calls. And you may need to notify your credit card companies that you’ll be traveling so they don’t view overseas charges as suspicious.

A study abroad experience can open your eyes to parts of the world that you never thought you’d see. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that many students don’t get to experience. At Limestone University, we allow students to participate in the Global Experience Program. It offers multiple destinations, and the cost of travel and lodging is covered by your tuition. Click the button to learn more.