HSBC: Protecting your wealth... 
How to Arrange Your Own Study...
How to Arrange Your Own Study Abroad Program (3/5)
audrey
22 April, 2009 18:09
This is the third article of a series of 5, explaining how to arrange your own study abroad program.
First article: Decide Where to Go
Second article: Determine When to Go
Language Problems and Programs
Even if you are attending a study abroad program conducted in your
native language or in a language you speak fluently, you will
undoubtedly have to navigate your way around unfamiliar surroundings,
if only to get back and forth to class. Also, unless you are fluent in
the language of your host country (which may or may not be the same
language as your program), even familiar tasks such as mailing a letter
can become challenging. This is especially true if you stay for a
longer period of time and live "off campus."
Most study abroad programs will have multilingual staff and
instructors. Don't be afraid to ask them how to negotiate such
practicalities as train schedules, mobile phone refill cards and
grocery shopping, either before you leave or on site. Once you arrive,
depending on where you travel, it may even be safe to obtain
assistance, especially directions, from people on the street, although
it is always wise to keep your wits about you whenever you are in
unfamiliar territory. If you speak English, again, you will find
yourself at a definite advantage. Many people worldwide speak at least
some English.
While it can be tempting to associate only with other people from
your own country while traveling abroad, you will lose much of the
advantage of being abroad if you do so. It's really not necessary to do
this if you are willing to be flexible and perhaps learn a few words of
the language of your host country, or at least pick up some of the
customs.
If you have selected a language immersion program for your study
abroad program, your language skills will really be put to the test. If
you have followed the advice given earlier and were honest about your
language abilities, you will be glad. If not, you may find yourself
disoriented. In either case, try to speak the language of your program
as much as possible, and especially with locals. In most instances,
people will be pleased by your attempts to speak their language and
will be patient with your mistakes.
Speaking the language with locals will also help you pick up common
idioms which you might not otherwise learn. But be careful about which
idioms you use. If you're not sure about the exact meaning of a
particular phrase, err on the side of caution. Otherwise, you might say
something very crude by mistake, which can be quite embarrassing at the
very least.
If you are pursuing a language immersion program, you will most
likely also have language classes in grammar and conversation, or
perhaps literature as well. This is a good idea, because you will be
less likely to pick up bad speech patterns (which native speakers
sometimes have) if you have language classes than you would be with an
immersion program without classes. If your program does not have
language classes, for instance, some volunteer programs or internships,
try to set aside time for grammar study on your own.
The following list includes language programs in a number of
commonly-studied languages. Many more programs can be found with an
Internet search.
Language Study Abroad Programs
Chinese
English
French
German
Japanese
Spanish
Next Steps
The next step is to work out your finances so that you can pay for
your study abroad program. That subject will be covered in the next
article.
Audrey Henderson
Freelance writer based in Chicago
I'd like to add that if you're going abroad to study part or even your entire degree at a university in a different country, you may be required to provide proof that you'll be able to follow the course contents, i.e. have sufficient working knowledge of the language in which the classes will be taught in. Applying to schools in the UK through UCAS that meant taking a proficiency exam (academic level) at my local British Council. Remember to factor in enough time to obtain such qualifications to add to your application.
On a slightly related note, I remember friends of mine who went for a semester abroad to Barcelona and how unpleasantly surprised they were when they found that some classes were actually taught in the locally predominant Catalan, and not in Castillian Spanish.
In other words, do your research and make sure you're prepared! Then, en-joy!!!
Best, Dee
Dee> About Catalan and Castillan, it reminds me of the excellent movie "The Spanish Inn" (L'auberge espagnole)
http://www.mooviees.com/4193-the-spanish-inn/movie
telling the story of Erasmus students in Barcelona.
