• Become more mature and self-confident as you learn the skills to succeed in unfamiliar environments and enjoy adapting to new places.  
• Earn academic credit that will help you progress toward your graduation while experiencing a new environment.  
• Get an international experience beyond a superficial tourist experience. 
• Understand how culture guides values and behaviors and gain respect for different cultures.  
• Understand your academic major from an international perspective and how your intended career is related to increasingly global issues, co-workers, clients, and customers. 
• Practice intercultural competencies that enhance your career and social relationships.  
• Add something extra to your resume which will make you more appealing to employers.  
• Enhance your career opportunities with a second or third language which is so valuable to the future of our workforce. 

Your decision of where to study abroad should be based on several important questions. Ask yourself these questions and get a friend or family member to confer with you on these topics. Try to be as critical as possible about yourself and what you think you can do.

• What type of courses do you need and want to take (major requirements, major electives, general education requirements or lower-division courses, electives)?  
• Does Southeast have requirements about the number of weeks and/or contact hours the courses must fulfill to transfer credit in your major?  
• Is it safe and/or practical to study in a country for which I do not speak the language fluently?  
• Have you ever traveled before? Outside the U.S.? If yes, how long and where? How long have you ever been away from family and friends before?  
• Am I more comfortable living “day-in and day-out” in a major city or a rural environment? Do you feel comfortable using public transportation (buses, taxis, trains)?  
• Have you experienced the type of climate similar to the host country you are considering?  
• Do you prefer functioning in a group with leaders and/or guides making decisions for you and being surrounded by others much like yourself?  
• Do you want to become a “specialist” in one location (language and culture and history and current events) or do you want a comparative perspective of several different places and perspectives?  
• Do I have any health conditions that would impair me to study abroad? Are the medications I take available in the country I’m interested in traveling to?  
• What financial support can I count on? Am I eligible for any scholarships or financial aid? 

There are multiple sources that can allow you to finance your study abroad experience. These include: 

• federal student grants  
• federal student loans  
• private student loans  
• scholarships  
• program discounts  
• family and friends  
• many other sources  

Learn more about financing your study abroad experience.