The BEST Reasons to Study Abroad This Summer

Sunshine. Sweet Lemonade. Travel.

The thoughts of summertime often give students glee and joy. Not only are the long hours inside the classroom behind you (for a little bit!), but you also step into a sense of renewal and new adventures.

This is where Summer Study Abroad comes in. Now I understand I just slightly contradicted myself by saying the classroom was behind you, but hear me out. 

Summer study abroad opportunities are often the most balanced of all semesters as many programs factor in the fact that students will be yearning to be outdoors, explore and enjoy all that their host country has to offer under the beaming sky. 

While you should still take summer study abroad as seriously as you would any other time, here are four reasons it may be the BEST idea for you to consider: 

4. Early Professional Development

If you are a bright-eyed uni student or even if you have graduated and are now seeking a new opportunity, professional development is a vital part of kickstarting your career. When I say professional development, I’m not talking about cliche boring group seminars and pointless trainings that lead you on the road to nowhere. I am specifically talking about using your summer study abroad experience as a way to propel yourself forward. 

For some, this may look like networking while abroad in your future field of work. Others may choose to find work experience (volunteer or paid) roles where they can make inroads, but may not have long-term goals at a particular organization. And of course, your core source of connections will be within your study cohort itself. Focus on building genuine summer study abroad relationships with likeminded individuals while in this unique time of your life for future dividends. 

3. Flexibility for Students

A BIG but often overlooked benefit of summer study abroad in particular is the perfect flexible alternative for students who have minimal space in their semester/quarterly schedules to realize any semester away dreams. 

The most wonderful part about studying abroad in the summer is that it usually does not imped your core courses and is often a stealth way of collecting elective credits or fitting in short-term internship/work experience.