What’s New In Study Abroad?


Short Term Study Abroad Rises In Popularity

A new trend is emerging in the world of study abroad: short term study. While the number of students studying abroad has increased steadily over the past decade, short term programs–usually less than a month long–are now seeing a rise in popularity.

While many factors contribute to this new rise in popularity, the increase in short study programs may be due to flexibility. Since the recent change in the global economy, many students have found themselves in unpredictable financial situations. Semester and year long programs require students to pay for housing, food and classes in foreign–and possibly more expensive–countries. Short term programs send students abroad for less time, which allows for financial flexibility yet still provides students with a cultural immersion.

In addition to financial flexibility, these short term programs also offer academic flexibility. For many students whose majors do not allow them to leave campus for an entire semester, short term programs are a feasible alternative. Also, many majors–such as business and economics–require that students study abroad in Western European countries. With the option of short term programs, students can spend a short amount of time in a non-approved country in addition to a required destination for their major.

As global awareness and cultural exposure become increasingly important in colleges and universities throughout the nation, short term study abroad programs are a feasible alternative to conventional semester and year long programs.

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