Fall Study Abroad Programs: 4 AMAZING Destinations For Your List

There’s nothing for me that compares to the fresh crisp air of Fall. I just find the changing of seasons so special, especially when they are getting colder (my FAVORITE type of weather), and glorious in the scenery. 

Autumn is also the start of new beginnings for most students around the world. Not only are new semesters or quarters beginning, but for many of you, this may be the last pathway before embarking on the transition between secondary school or even the closeout to starting your career. 

It’s also the absolute ideal time to study abroad. As mentioned in a previous blog post, there are many undervalued, but fantastic benefits of spending time overseas during the Fall semester that cannot compare to other times of the year. 

So where should I go for a Fall Study Abroad Semester? 

While this is a question that can only be answered based on your goals (you know me, QUEEN of ‘What are My Goals’ :::smiles::), there are some specific locations that I know you’ll adore for a variety of reasons and I’m thrilled to share more about them with you. 

Switzerland

Let’s not be neutral here, Switzerland is quite the fantastic place to be any time of the year. There are many things I adore about this amazing country. It’s clean, the air is fresh, the people seem to be very astute but often come off as laidback and unaffected and it’s a hub to many financial and tech basecamps from around the globe. 

And while I will admit, it is VERY expensive (paying $17 USD for a basic sandwich was a sticker shock, no lie), the benefits of having the opportunity to access education in this small(er), but mighty land mass is one that should not be overlooked. 

This is particularly true for Fall semesters when classes are smaller, there are fewer tourists (which means more space to explore for you!), and the Fall autumn leaves and sweater weather roll in across the country like a golden kiss from heaven. 

From the University of Bern to The University of Geneva, the American University of Switzerland, and many in between, there are many options for international students who are searching for short-term or long-term study abroad options. 

For students coming from the United States, there are also many well-known non-profit organizations that offer study abroad opportunities (and sometimes internships) in Switzerland during the Fall semesters. 

Personally, in addition to the stellar education, I love what I like to call the ‘hidden’ culture of Switzerland. While every part of the world and each country has a culture, not all is exported in mass to the rest of the world the way American and British cultures are. I love the combination of creativity meets quirk and self-sufficient nature that makes up much of Swiss culture. 

Whether you’re spending time in Downtown Geneva or in the middle of Lucerne (my FAVORITE winter locale…..maybe more than London), the culture is very understated, yet ever so present. 

I’d summarize all that I have known and loved about Switzerland in one word: Precision. So much of Swiss culture is built on precision and efficiency. And while it’s not boastful in the American sense, self-deprecating in the British sense, or arrogant as if it were French, it is divine. 

If for nothing else, can I just convince you to go study abroad in Switzerland to have access to some of the BEST railroads on earth? A short ride on a Swiss train will change your entire belief of what is possible when efficiency and ingenuity come to life. 

I am an ABSOLUTE STAN for Swiss Rail. Okay fine, don’t just spend a semester abroad in Switzerland FOR the rail, but stick around a little longer to experience it. 🙂