Study Abroad

[dlee2010]

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First, I apologize if I have the same thread. I just found about this study abroad program, so I have no idea what it is. Therefore, I'm planning to go to my home college's study abroad office and find something more. But before that I thought I would be better off if I had some basic ideas about the program. So here are some questions.

1) When can I start the study abroad program?
2) The book I read said that the study abroad fees are included in the tuition but I did some research and I couldn't find one. I assume I need to pay?
3) Well, I'm planning to use this experience for my medical school application essay where should I go? right now in my mind I want to go to Japan because I'm from Asia and want to know more about my neighbor country. Even though, Japan is really close to my home nation I don't know a thing. But I'm considering Europe also but pretty much anywhere. Where do you suggest? I did some research on this forum and seems like not many people(?) went to study abroad in Japan? If anyone did would you mind giving me some info, please?
4) What is the benefit from study abroad? Probably, getting a foreign culture experience and new perspectives?
5) If I want to do study abroad do I have to go through the places that my college offer? or can I apply places that is not offered from my college?
6) I want to go to study abroad then which category should I look under for medicine? (is it Health Science? Environmental Science? Public Health? etc)
7) This is kinda flows with Q3. Since I would like to attend medical school therefore I said that I want to go to places that would help me on the medical school application essays. But do you think it would be ok to go to learn like cultures, histories, arts, and so on for the nation I went to study for? I'm just interested in those areas recently and I always was (also, this area is totally away from my major too, haha😀).
8) Lastly, is study abroad only available for undergrads? not a master? I mean for the medical students?


I'm sorry for all these random questions for medicine forum. 🙁 Btw if you don't know any answers for the questions. Do you mind giving me your opinions and your review? or thoughts? about the study abroad you had before? I don't know anything things like what you liked, what you learned, why you choose that nation that you choose, what was it like etc just anything you want to share 😀 Thank you so much always everyone 🙂

 

[SarahBellum1]

1. You can start pretty much whenever you want. You just want to make sure that everything is in line for your degree plan and make sure that you will be at your school when the classes that you need are offered (or can take them abroad). At least at my school, most people go abroad their junior year (usually the fall semester).

2. Paying for study abroad differs by your home school and by program. At my school, my academic scholarship applied to study abroad tuition, and it actually ended up being cheaper for me to go abroad for a semester than it would spending a semester at my home school. Generally, fees/expenses are not included in the tuition price, but you can always call the program to make sure.

3. Go wherever in the world you want--whatever seems interesting to you and whatever you think you would get the most out of. Don't choose your country based on what would look better on a med school application. Well, because as it is a great experience to have, a LOT of people study abroad, so it probably won't be a factor that would push you over the edge to become a stellar applicant. I didn't study abroad in Japan, but I know a couple people who did. I don't know much about what they did there, but they seemed to have really loved it. One of them even lived at a Buddhist monastery while she was there.

4. There are many benefits to study abroad. First, it's fun and you get a change in scenery. You get to travel all over the place and see some really amazing places. You can gain a great sense of independence by being so far away from your family and friends, so you have to make your own decisions. Also, you see another part of the world from a difference perspective, and you learn that there are other great places that exist that isn't the United States. You--hopefully-- come back with a more holistic world view. You can learn the culture and language. Also, if you go without knowing anyone, you really have to put yourself out there, so you can meet many wonderful new people and build lasting friendships with them. I came back with best friends. 🙂

5. The way you go abroad also depends on your home school. Does your school have it's own study abroad program? Mine didn't, so there were several programs for me to choose from. That's something you find out about by talking to a study abroad advisor. If you don't go through your home school, I, personally, would recommend Arcadia--they are wonderful! IFSA-Butler and IES are also good programs, as well.

6. I don't really understand what you are asking here. But if you go abroad, I wouldn't recommend doing anything medical. Unless you are TOTALLY set on volunteering or something, take a break from it. From my experience, it is difficult to volunteer/shadow abroad. The hospitals in my area (Auckland, New Zealand) wouldn't let me volunteer (which now I am glad that I didn't) because I was there for only 5 months and certain liability issues. Experience the country and its culture to its full extent. Take advantage of your time there. Take easy classes and maybe only 1 science class, if any at all.

7. YES. THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD BE GOING ABROAD--TO LEARN CULTURE, ART, LANGUAGE, PEOPLE, MUSIC, TRAVEL. NOT TO PUT ON YOUR MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICATION.

8. Um, I'm thinking undergrad only, but I don't know.

As I said earlier, I studied abroad in New Zealand this past semester. It was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I've said this in another thread somewhere, but I was able to do things that most people would never get to do in their lives--bungy jumping, sky diving, glacier climbing, Milford Sound, seeing penguins/seals/dolphins all in one body of water, sailing, canyoning, black water rafting...I traveled to a new place almost every weekend--beaches, hiking, backpacking, visiting various islands around the city, etc and met so many amazing people. I learned about the indigenous Maori culture there. I went to the Uni there in Auckland and took 4 classes (equivalent of 16 hours in the US)-- Bible in Popular Culture, Musics of the World, Intro to Pacific Studies, and Cognitive Science (only class for my major). It was such a great experience, and I would do it a hundred times over.

I'm a huge advocate of study abroad and think that if anyone ever has the chance to, they should 100% definitely do it. But do it for YOU; don't go just to put it on a resume.

 

[dlee2010]

1. You can start pretty much whenever you want. You just want to make sure that everything is in line for your degree plan and make sure that you will be at your school when the classes that you need are offered (or can take them abroad). At least at my school, most people go abroad their junior year (usually the fall semester).

2. Paying for study abroad differs by your home school and by program. At my school, my academic scholarship applied to study abroad tuition, and it actually ended up being cheaper for me to go abroad for a semester than it would spending a semester at my home school. Generally, fees/expenses are not included in the tuition price, but you can always call the program to make sure.

3. Go wherever in the world you want--whatever seems interesting to you and whatever you think you would get the most out of. Don't choose your country based on what would look better on a med school application. Well, because as it is a great experience to have, a LOT of people study abroad, so it probably won't be a factor that would push you over the edge to become a stellar applicant. I didn't study abroad in Japan, but I know a couple people who did. I don't know much about what they did there, but they seemed to have really loved it. One of them even lived at a Buddhist monastery while she was there.

4. There are many benefits to study abroad. First, it's fun and you get a change in scenery. You get to travel all over the place and see some really amazing places. You can gain a great sense of independence by being so far away from your family and friends, so you have to make your own decisions. Also, you see another part of the world from a difference perspective, and you learn that there are other great places that exist that isn't the United States. You--hopefully-- come back with a more holistic world view. You can learn the culture and language. Also, if you go without knowing anyone, you really have to put yourself out there, so you can meet many wonderful new people and build lasting friendships with them. I came back with best friends. 🙂

5. The way you go abroad also depends on your home school. Does your school have it's own study abroad program? Mine didn't, so there were several programs for me to choose from. That's something you find out about by talking to a study abroad advisor. If you don't go through your home school, I, personally, would recommend Arcadia--they are wonderful! IFSA-Butler and IES are also good programs, as well.

6. I don't really understand what you are asking here. But if you go abroad, I wouldn't recommend doing anything medical. Unless you are TOTALLY set on volunteering or something, take a break from it. From my experience, it is difficult to volunteer/shadow abroad. The hospitals in my area (Auckland, New Zealand) wouldn't let me volunteer (which now I am glad that I didn't) because I was there for only 5 months and certain liability issues. Experience the country and its culture to its full extent. Take advantage of your time there. Take easy classes and maybe only 1 science class, if any at all.

7. YES. THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD BE GOING ABROAD--TO LEARN CULTURE, ART, LANGUAGE, PEOPLE, MUSIC, TRAVEL. NOT TO PUT ON YOUR MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICATION.

8. Um, I'm thinking undergrad only, but I don't know.

As I said earlier, I studied abroad in New Zealand this past semester. It was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I've said this in another thread somewhere, but I was able to do things that most people would never get to do in their lives--bungy jumping, sky diving, glacier climbing, Milford Sound, seeing penguins/seals/dolphins all in one body of water, sailing, canyoning, black water rafting...I traveled to a new place almost every weekend--beaches, hiking, backpacking, visiting various islands around the city, etc and met so many amazing people. I learned about the indigenous Maori culture there. I went to the Uni there in Auckland and took 4 classes (equivalent of 16 hours in the US)-- Bible in Popular Culture, Musics of the World, Intro to Pacific Studies, and Cognitive Science (only class for my major). It was such a great experience, and I would do it a hundred times over.

I'm a huge advocate of study abroad and think that if anyone ever has the chance to, they should 100% definitely do it. But do it for YOU; don't go just to put it on a resume.

wow, thank you for the effort you put into answer all my questions. I mean this is beyond what I expected to see after posting this thread or actually worried I wouldn't get any answers. I really appreciate your time and serious thoughts put into answer my questions 🙂

Also, I thank you for persuading me that to seek for my interest when I go study abroad because I thought going to study abroad would be good for my medical school application later (after finding out that I could take classes in other country). Originally, I wanted to go because I really love learning other languages, cultures, arts and so on. Thank you for convince me to stick with my first reason to made me think about going to out of US to study.

It is very funny that after taking only 1st semester of my first year college classes. I liked what I took and want to do everything and became very indecisive. But I am very interested in classes that are very far opposite from my major or goal, which is kinesiology and going to medical school. I found out I'm more interested in other country's culture, arts, history, and so forth, or art (like industrial designs majors, but my school doesn't have one), or psychology (even though I don't like to interact with other people because I don't know what to say or do, I like this subject). Haha, I'm sorry I got very personal after trying to express my appreciation to you. Again, I'm very thankful that you put lots of thoughts and efforts to answer my questions, I really appreciate your help 🙂

 

[SarahBellum1]

No problem. It is definitely a great thing to put into your application, but it just won't really set you apart from others. It could definitely be something to reflect on in your interview or personal statement, as well.

Also, why are you majoring in kinesiology if you don't really like it? Major in something that truly interests you. It doesn't matter to med schools what you major in. In fact, I believe it's refreshing to them to see majors that aren't science related. You say you like art and culture? Maybe look into an International Studies major or something like that?

 

[dlee2010]

No problem. It is definitely a great thing to put into your application, but it just won't really set you apart from others. It could definitely be something to reflect on in your interview or personal statement, as well.

Also, why are you majoring in kinesiology if you don't really like it? Major in something that truly interests you. It doesn't matter to med schools what you major in. In fact, I believe it's refreshing to them to see majors that aren't science related. You say you like art and culture? Maybe look into an International Studies major or something like that?

I like kinesiology too, studying the human body is very interesting. I'm just too much open in other areas to learn. 😀

 

[IlaEm]

Definitely go abroad. Medical schools LOVE people who travel abroad because they gain such interesting perspectives on people, culture, history, etc.

I was a biochemistry major but I purposefully chose to take classes specific to the country I was studying abroad in because chem/bio is the same everywhere. The one thing you should be conscious of is which classes will transfer. For me, it was worth it to stay an extra quarter at my university to go abroad and NOT take science courses. I took classes that were interesting to me 🙂 African drumming and dance, Zulu, Sub-Saharan AIDS epidemic, etc.

Ultimately, your trip abroad should be all about enjoyment and expanding your mind. Cultural sensitivity is an important characteristic in a physician and you will learn a lot about this while living abroad.

Your best resource would be your schools study abroad office (if they have one). They can tell you all about the programs they offer, what transfers, etc.

 

[Perimeter]

7. YES. THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD BE GOING ABROAD--TO LEARN CULTURE, ART, LANGUAGE, PEOPLE, MUSIC, TRAVEL. NOT TO PUT ON YOUR MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICATION.

I would agree, except that's not entirely true. People study abroad so they can put it on their med school application and they also learn culture, art, language etc.
You don't want to become so delusional where you believe you are going to another country just for the experience. It is a combination of both.

 

[HockeyDr09]

I would agree, except that's not entirely true. People study abroad so they can put it on their med school application and they also learn culture, art, language etc.
You don't want to become so delusional where you believe you are going to another country just for the experience. It is a combination of both.

?

I went to another country for just the experience. Not everything is about getting into medical school you know.

 

[SarahBellum1]

I would agree, except that's not entirely true. People study abroad so they can put it on their med school application and they also learn culture, art, language etc.
You don't want to become so delusional where you believe you are going to another country just for the experience. It is a combination of both.

My point was that you shouldn't go abroad with the sole purpose of putting it on your application--that building up your resume should not be your motivating factor. I recognize that being able to put this on your app, though, is a nice little perk.

 

[Janieve]

I would agree, except that's not entirely true. People study abroad so they can put it on their med school application and they also learn culture, art, language etc.
You don't want to become so delusional where you believe you are going to another country just for the experience. It is a combination of both.

What.

Are you telling me that my time living in China before I'd even decided to be a doctor was for my medical school applications? Or that when I went to Japan as an anthropology student to study the culture, my motivations were secretly to impress adcoms?

Who the heck have you been talking to about studying abroad? Because I've never met someone who went for the purpose of a grad school application.

 

[Perimeter]

My point was that you shouldn't go abroad with the sole purpose of putting it on your application--that building up your resume should not be your motivating factor. I recognize that being able to put this on your app, though, is a nice little perk.

Well at least you realize that.
I think it's perfectly reasonable to go studying abroad with the intentions of putting it on your med school application if you know you will enjoy visiting another country in the process. If you don't like traveling and you are just going for your resume I would say that is a bad idea.

 

[dcuellar]

I don't know anything about studying abroad. But I've hear it is a wonderful experience. I kinda had a question of my own: I was wondering if anyone has done the Animal Science program through Sustainable International Studies Belize (I.S.I.S.)? Is it worth it?