Semester Abroad?

[EMS5]

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Just looking for some general input from everyone...
What are your opinions about taking a semester abroad?

I have become good friends with my Bio 111 instructor (an entomologist) who is coordinating a unique semester abroad experience where 4 students will take classes on board a marine research vessel.

Has anyone had similar experiences to this? If so what did you think of it?
Also, any advice regarding taking a semester abroad would be mucho appreciated. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

My only college regret.

do it.

 

[kami333]

Kind of like Sea Semester? (The Woods Hole one, not Semester at Sea)

I wish I had done that, even though did I study marine biology abroad.

 

[Equality]

For many pre-med students, taking an entire sem abroad can be difficult. Going abroad for a summer or two might be a more feasible option. Having said that, I think going abroad for a semester as pre-med is actually pretty impressive.

 

[OpalAnn]

Studying aboard was the highlight of college for me. I didn't do anything like you are talking about but did a semster in Norway, studying Norwegian & Psyc. It was a great experience & I can't wait to travel aboard again!

I also know that med. schools look @ it as a "Culture" thing.... you get experience living outside your comfort zone & are more aware of the world around you... at least day to day living than someone who didn't take that chance...

Good luck!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I graduated a year early and while I don't regret that, I do regret not being able to go abroad. Do it. This is an opportunity you'll remember for the rest of your life.

 

[NotSur]

.

 

[FloatOn]

My only college regret.

do it.

One of several college regrets for me. GO FOR IT!

 

[Tesseract]

Studying abroad is great fun.

I'm currently finishing a run, as a junior, in Croatia tailored for my university's pre-med students. We've been touring hospitals and observing surgeries for the past ten weeks (quarter system) while taking a standard courseload with some of their students.

If you have the opportunity, go for it. Pick up the country's language, experience their lifestyles, and eat their food. The culture itself makes the trip worth it.

 

[PiBond]

I went to Spain and had the time of my life. Got to travel around, run with the bulls in Pamplona, and speak a different language. I HIGHLY recommend it, where ever you get to go.

 

[kami333]

One great program if your university doesn't have something specifically is the Medical Practice and Policy program at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad. http://www.dis.dk/Academic1/mpp/index.php

I finished most of my bio major requirements while I was there (though it was also the only place I could study abroad as a science major and have my credits count)

(Disclosure: I used to work for them)

 

[laifalove]

I also know that med. schools look @ it as a "Culture" thing.... you get experience living outside your comfort zone & are more aware of the world around you... at least day to day living than someone who didn't take that chance...

Good luck!

I most definitely agree with this. Unfortunately I studied in the UK which well.. is English speaking and their culture isn't entirely different from what we have in the US, but there were quite a few students from all over Europe in the same city as I was and I got a chance to experience the differences between the US and Europe. Also had a chance to go travel on the weekends to different countries, really a culture shock because you realize how self-absorbed and frog in the well students from the US can be. I thought I was well traveled because I've spent many a summer in Asia and had been to Europe and different parts of Mexico before, but it was still quite an eye opener for me.

Plus it's a break from the monotony of being a pre-med. I have to say it was one of the best 8 weeks of my life. I took physics there and well.. it was a heck of a lot easier there than if I were to take it at my home university, but this really depends on the school. 😛

 

[JediZero]

Go go go. Please, take advantage of this point in your life and go abroad. If you're doing something research-related, that's even better because it means you don't have to cram the rest of your application into seven semesters instead of eight (or however the math works out for you).

I spent a semester studying in London and had the time of my life. Got to travel all over Europe (and to Egypt), live in the city, see museums, so much theater... go, go, go. I also did a summer program that was a pseudo-medical mission to Honduras- worked with a missionary clinic down there and got to participate in their work trying to provide healthcare to populations spread out all across these remote mountain villages.

Sorry, I can't say it enough. Go. Abroad. No matter how hard it makes your other semesters, it'll be worth it.

 

[Algophiliac]

For those of you who went abroad, when did you go? It seems like there's just not enough time to go abroad...and I hear it's not possible to take lab classes abroad?

I mean, junior year is pretty much booked what with MCAT studying and application writing, and senior year is booked with interviews. So, sophomore year...is that not considered a bit too early?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I have a friend who studied abroad her entire junior year. She took the MCATs the summer between sophomore and junior year. You're right that you shouldn't take any med school prereqs abroad, and some universities won't let you take gen eds abroad either. Make sure to check with your advisor before going. Otherwise, I think first semester junior year is probably the best time. Then you have all of second semester to deal with getting your application ready.

Going abroad in the summer is also a great option. My school had tons of summer programs, and they lasted anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months.

 

[mdeast]

Personally, I would study abroad and take a year off after graduation. I went during the spring of my junior year of college, postponing taking Intro Physics until my senior year. Unless you're done all your pre-reqs before junior year it likely means you have to wait to apply, unless your hardcore and think it's a good idea to take the MCAT while studying abroad (I suggest not doing this). People have this strange perception sometimes NOT to want to take time off after graduation. Believe me, it is was the best decision of my college career to study abroad and an even better decision to take time off after college before applying (makes your app way STRONGER, and you more sane).

I studied in London and even got a lot of medically related experience, something all my interviewers have asked about and been thoroughly impressed by. Here's the program I did, I would definitely recommend it:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/medicine/depts/gppc/premed/

 

[JediZero]

For those of you who went abroad, when did you go? It seems like there's just not enough time to go abroad...and I hear it's not possible to take lab classes abroad?

I mean, junior year is pretty much booked what with MCAT studying and application writing, and senior year is booked with interviews. So, sophomore year...is that not considered a bit too early?

Let's see... I knocked out all of my pre-med classes freshman and sophomore year (OChem + Physics + Physiology all in one semester = good times), then did the Honduras trip at the beginning of the summer after my sophomore year, and took the MCAT at the end of that summer. Then spent Junior year abroad (London in the fall, then an internship in DC in the spring). I could have started applying in summer/fall 2008 (senior year), but I wanted to take a year off, so I started applying this summer.

You can make it happen. I don't recommend taking three lab sciences at once during your other semesters, but hey, you do what you've gotta do.

 

[laifalove]

I personally don't think there's such a thing as "too early" to go study abroad. As long as you've met the pre-requisites for the course you're gonna take, I'd just do it whenever it best fits in. I went in the summer between my 2nd and 3rd years. Granted I'm taking a year off before applying to med school, but that wasn't as a result of me studying abroad, it was a matter of grades. I have a friend who went the same year I did and she's graduating as a third year and applying straight to med schools. So it's really up to you how you plan things.

There are also some trips down to Central America (as mentioned by previous posters) where you go to villages and do medical missions. You can see if your campus has a Global Medical Brigades team. If not, you can look into islonline.org where they also go to Africa. These trips though are usually no more than 10 days though, something you might want to keep in mind if you're looking for something more long term. I'm going to Honduras this coming summer for a week right after school ends and then hoping back into summer sessions at my university so I can finish up a double major.

 

[Steeler7588]

I went for a summer and loved it. I would've gone for a semester, but I switched majors too late to do so. If you can fit it in, then do it for sure! You get to do / learn so much more in a semester than you do the summer.

 

[fMRI]

EMS5

Go!
G-O-!

 

[Abby_Normal]

Do it.

I'm currently taking a year abroad (admittedly the more typical way way--studying at a foreign university, not on a research vessel, which sounds amazing, by the way) and it's definitely a worthwhile experience. The one thing to keep in mind is that it's generally best to take all your prereq courses at a US or Canadian institution, because some medical schools can be weird about that.

Other than that, I think going abroad is a great idea. I talked to a cousin of mine who was on the admissions board of the medical school he works at for a while about my decision to go abroad and he seemed to think that, as an opportunity for personal growth/unique experience it could be useful in the application process. I'd imagine yours would be even more so. And, even if it isn't it sounds like a great experience to have and you only get to do it once.

In short, Go for it.

 

[Ballwera]

How do grades work for studying abroad? I'm planning on doing a semester abroad at the university of surrey...i know the grades transfer to my home university as pass fail but how do they show up on my med school applications..are the grades i receive calculated into my gpa?

 

[casillas]

I went to Spain and had the time of my life. Got to travel around, run with the bulls in Pamplona, and speak a different language. I HIGHLY recommend it, where ever you get to go.

went to Spain and loved it.

For those of you who went abroad, when did you go? It seems like there's just not enough time to go abroad...and I hear it's not possible to take lab classes abroad?

I mean, junior year is pretty much booked what with MCAT studying and application writing, and senior year is booked with interviews. So, sophomore year...is that not considered a bit too early?

I transferred colleges so i could not study abroad until fall semester of my senior year. I knew i had to do it no matter what it costs.

I think everyone should study aborad even if you are unsure, just pick a place and go. I remember the director of my program said that even though about half of the 60 students who do the program have doubts before the program, she has never had a student regret studying abroad. Never!
Other than the obvious things such as learning a new culture and language and exploring new places, there is something about the study abroad experience which made me "find myself" (no matter how cliche that sounds) and be more comfortable with who i am.




Conclusion: STUDY ABROAD. PICK A PLACE AND JUST GO. YOU WON'T REGRET IT.

 

[casillas]

and also i think that "i can't study abroad because i am pre med" is a bad excuse. If you plan out your classes well once you get into college. you can for sure take a semester to study abroad. heck if you plan well you can take a year. 👍

 

[Cryingivy]

do it!