5 reasons all American students should study abroad.

Bonjour! It’s Christmas day and I wanted to take time out to share with you my thoughts on why all American students should study abroad. I have studied abroad in Sweden and France so I think that what I have to share with you will be valuable to you in your journey to study abroad. My experience studying in a foreign land and culture did more for me socially, professionally as well as academically. I was an independent student studying the Swedish at the University of Gothenburg and later I studied French history at Angers University during my junior year as a full-time student at Virginia Commonwealth University. How I came to study abroad as a full-time student really came about because of a wonderful French professor who desired to nurture my gift for languages. They walked me over to the Study Abroad Office (that I did not know existed) and it was there I began my journey to study abroad in France during my junior year at university.

I studied through an exchange program/company that my university had a partnership. However, let it be known that you as an American student can DIRECTLY APPLY to any university and pay that country’s tuition fee which will be considerably lower than any U.S. institution of higher learning. This is the best way to graduate university and not have student loans weighing you down as you enter the marketplace. Let me help you get off to a great start!

Studying abroad in France (in my opinion) can provide immense value academically, culturally, and financially.

Here are 5 great reasons to choose France as a study abroad destination.:

1. Save substantially on tuition – French universities are much more affordable with lower annual tuition on average compared to American schools. This results in major cost savings. This not only pertains to France but to mostly all universities outside of the U.S. If I decide to earn my Master’s in French, I will definitely apply directly to a French university, preferably in the South of France.
2. Lower cost of living – Things like housing, food, transportation and entertainment are generally cheaper in most French cities versus US campus towns. I stayed in a dormitory when I studied in Angers, France. If you are a student, you’re basically a rock star when it comes to discounts on museum visits, train tickets, etc. Whilst a student in Paris I never felt left out of going anywhere or doing anything in or out of school.
3. Travel easily around Europe – Flights within Europe are inexpensive. You can see a lot more nearby countries on a student budget. With my student I.D. I constantly booked trains to travel all around France when the opportunity arrived, and they chance to travel presented itself multiple times!
4. Gain global skills – Fluency in French and international experience gives you an edge in the job market after graduation. As you study abroad, your fellow classmates may become great referral, a business partner, etc.
5. Immerse in world-class culture – France offers unmatched history, food, architecture, art and more to experience as a student. A family friend’s daughter is currently studying in France, living with a French family and she’s having the time of her life! Not only is she studying in France, she is further immersed in French culture by actually living with a French family!

Along with the cultural immersion, France provides financial advantages that make studying abroad more accessible. Let me know if you need any other specifics on the cost benefits of being a student in France or have any other questions about studying abroad.