Study Abroad Question

[UMDeeMan]

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OK, quick question guys. Do you feel it could be beneficial to study abroad (ie would that possibly boost my application status at all)? My arguement would be that it exposes you to the world and shows that you are still concerned about getting the most out of your life instead of sitting in the library studying o-chem, physics, and DAT materials.

I ask this because I have the chance to go to Denmark and Amsterdam this winter break to study Topics in Human Sexuality. I need the class for my minor, it's in cool places, and it would be a blast. I'm doing it for sure, but is this something i could put on my d-school application that would be looked upon favorably?? let me know what you all think.

 

[Trookie]

I don't see how studying abroad, in general, could hurt your application. The only thing I see that might be an issue is that studying sex in the drug & partying capital of the world might not look as great as say... a field study in South Africa. But if you write about your experiences in your personal statement to let them know that you weren't just getting crunked overseas, you should be fine.

 

[UMDeeMan]

oh i'm going to get crunked, but i'm going to also learn alot too about the culture and the topic. too many applicants are so up tight it seems, i dont want to be one of these people. there's other things in life then dental school.

 

[Lephisto]

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[trypmo]

oh i'm going to get crunked, but i'm going to also learn alot too about the culture and the topic. too many applicants are so up tight it seems, i dont want to be one of these people. there's other things in life then dental school.

So you're going to:

-> get crunked.
-> learn about the topic (= Human SEXUALITY).
-> learn about the culture (can mean many things).

Hmm, I've gotta say the field study in south africa does look better in the context of dental school apps, interviews, etc.

But dude, whatever floats your boat; I hope you have a great time & make the most of it if it's something you really want to do!

I guess I'm one of the "more uptight applicants" but on the other hand for some people (though not me) it's good to do these things & get them out of your system so you can move on to things like dental school in a new phase of life. If that makes any sense!

 

[crazy_sherm]

I don't know how much studying abroad would hurt your application. I would think, if anything, it would make it slightly better because they will know you had a chance to see other parts of the world, especially a culturally diverse and sensitive country like the Netherelands. While in school, you'll most likely be working in clinic with people from various backgrounds. What better way to show that you've had experience with this type of interaction?

Aside from what the adcoms might think, I think study abroad is one of the most rewarding things anyone can do as a college student. I remember as a senior, when all my friends came back from study abroad and had this huge terrific time, I really felt like I missed out. That's why as soon as I graduated, I took off to Japan and taught English for a couple years. I learned not only a lot about a foreign culture, but also about myself and my own culture. I came back because I knew that I would never be able to live in Japan long-term, but it's an experience I would never give for anything.

In other words, I say go for it! 😀

 

[mikhiel]

I had so much fun studying abroad. I spent time earlier this year in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. I feel like study abroad can really help your application, as it shows that you've seen the world and developed a new perspective.

 

[UMDeeMan]

yeah, there is no question i'm going. i just wanted to see if it was something worthy of placing on my application when i apply. Trypmo, yeah, i'm going to get crunked, study sexuality, and take in the culture. if being a dentist or getting into dental school requires me to not do things i want to do as i go through my life, then i guess it's not for me. i will not live my life any less just because a profession or school may hold a different view upon it.

i think adcoms would enjoy my story of the 2 weeks i spent studying the sexual culture of the netherlands more so then hearing about the protein structure research you did over summer (which intend on doing too, love protein's and cellular metabolism). dentists deal with people and need people skills. plus i feel the ability to maturely be able to talk about uncomfortable subjects, such as sex, is an asset. just based on your apparent questioning of the topic being studied, i'm guessing this subject may not be one you are all that comfortable talking about. sex happens, it's a culture, might as well learn about it. it's interesting isn't it?

isn't the purpose of these adcom interviews to seperate yourself from the herd? well i think studying sexuality in amsterdam is pretty freakin seperating. i bet this is one aspect that would make me less of a statistic with these people.

 

[mikhiel]

my thoughts EXACTLY. Have fun in Amsterdam! I'm very jealous. I'm planning a second study abroad this year (spend my last quarter as an undergrad taking a break from the sciences spending a quarter studying German in Vienna) and hope to hit Amsterdam on the way back for plenty o' fun.

 

[Trookie]

I, personally, am all for drunken debauchery in Amsterdam. Like I said before, just make sure you mention anything educational or cultural that you got out of the trip in your personal statement and interview. Also make sure you have other things to offer (i.e. grades, DAT, dental experience) besides your "research experience" in Amsterdam. Have fun!

 

[BONAFIED]

I studied abroad. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I can't imagine my undergrad experience without it. I did mine a few years ago, and it has been an enormous attention-getter for my resume in both academic and professional realms. Without fail they will always say, "so, tell us about your time in XYZ...Wow, that is really interesting...I've never heard that before." After a short anecdote or two and my enthusiatic framing of the experience, the interviewers are thinking to themselves "I could have this guy around".

The Netherlands is an awesome place to study. I wouldn't worry too much about the subject matter, from what I've heard the study of human sexuality is very academic. Keep a journal while you are there, and when you return practice relating some of the experiences you had. It should come up in your interview, and if you play it right, there is a lot of mileage to be had.

Oh, and if you go smoking take along a someone who knows the stuff -it's pharm-grade. Nothing worse than a bad trip in a foreign country.

 

[UMDeeMan]

thanks guys, yeah, i figured there was definately more then a few positives. let the haters hate.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

I studied abroad for one year in England during my undergrad, and looking back now, if I didnt do that, I wouldve shot myself because it was so incredible.....and plus, I met the girl which will hopefully be my future life partner one day 😍

But I think it looks good on your application....It did come up on my interviews last year, meaning that it must have stood out for them to bring it up.....

ANd Amsterdam?? Dude! i went there twice....what a place to study in!!!

 

[UMDeeMan]

don't worry guys and gals, i'm doing it, never had a doubt. pictures will be up at the end of January. I just gotta make sure i get accepted for the program, but i should.

 

[Smooth Operater]

I really want to study for a year aboard, but I am afraid that I will need to shell out more $$ and stay an extra year in undergrad. That means I will have less $ to pay dental school tution and graduate a year later. 🙁

 

[BONAFIED]

I really want to study for a year aboard, but I am afraid that I will need to shell out more $$ and stay an extra year in undergrad. That means I will have less $ to pay dental school tution and graduate a year later. 🙁

There may be some delay of your graduation, but as far as $ there are a number of programs that operate on reciprocity. Meaning whatever you're paying for tuition at your school is exactly what the tuition will cost for your program of choice. The housing is often figured the same way, pegged at what it would cost you to live on campus at your current school. There should be a study abroad advisor at your school that could help you. You can also visit www.isep.org which has a lot of good info.

Whether it delays your graduation depends on where are with your major req's of course, but many schools will "deal" with you. You may be able to swing a deal where you're only out a semester if at all.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

I really want to study for a year aboard, but I am afraid that I will need to shell out more $$ and stay an extra year in undergrad. That means I will have less $ to pay dental school tution and graduate a year later. 🙁

Not if you goto a country that is not more expensive than Canada....remember, when u do an exchange through your uni, you still pay your Canadian tuition.....so, if you goto a country that is cheaper than Canada, you actually will SAVE money....

Also, I did my exchange, and didnt lose one year......your undergrad international office should take care of all the course conversions and such, ensuring that you still are on par to graduate on time.....

 

[Smooth Operater]

I actually don't have that many schools to choose from since I am doing a biochemistry major.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

I actually don't have that many schools to choose from since I am doing a biochemistry major.

huh? Why would you say that? Biochemistry is taught all over the world?

Also, you probably take electives during your degree, right? So why not take most of your electives during your study abroad?

 

[UMDeeMan]

what is delaying d-school one year going to do? so you have one less year of your life to make 6 figures. live your life, go for the study abroad. don't be uptight and dedicated to a layed out timeline. this is exactly what i meant by the uptight applicants. relax, go study abroad. dental school will still be there when you get back. and honestly, money shouldn't be an issue. 90% of d-students pay for school through loans. you honestly think you are going to have trouble paying those loans off once you graduate from dental school??

 

[Lephisto]

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