It’s never too late in your academic career to ask, “where in Europe should I study abroad?”
Whether you take an accelerated course to study abroad in France or a multi-semester journey to study abroad in Italy, Europe is one of the best places to study abroad for nearly every major.
First time considering trekking across the pond alone? Good thing you’re rooming with us: here are our tips on how to study abroad in Europe.
Image Credit: Getty Images, SCStock. Image Location: Paris, France.
How to Study Abroad in Europe
A semester abroad? One of the best decisions you’ll make in your college career.
Where in Europe should I study abroad?
Europe is huge…but it’s also quite small when you think about how easy it is to travel between countries. You’ve got a huge range of European countries to choose from. But before you declare “I’m studying abroad in London”, ask yourself these three questions:
#1: Do you want to study abroad or do you want to live abroad?
Don’t be shy about your true desires. Want to spend a semester bouncing around Europe without taking classes? Go for it! But remember, if you want to study abroad in Europe, you’ll have to do homework, attend class, and actually study while you’re abroad.
#2: Does your chosen country relate to your curriculum?
If taking an elective abroad is your ticket to study abroad in France, then live it up. But don’t forget that the purpose of studying abroad in France, Italy, or another country is to expand your academic knowledge. Try to choose a country or university that aligns with your major so you can benefit the most from the formal education part of your experience.
#3: Can you afford to study abroad in Italy, France, or Spain?
College is expensive, no matter if you’ve moved to an out-of-state university or are taking community college courses near home. Studying abroad can do a number on your bank account, and while you likely won’t regret the experience, you’ll want to make sure you can financially support yourself no matter where you spend your semester.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Karl Hendon. Image Location: London, United Kingdom.
Is London a good place to study abroad?
London is a great place to study abroad. English is obviously the native tongue, but with so much cultural diversity, you’ll meet countless people from around the world right in your classroom. Plus, England’s capital offers plenty to do when you’re not hitting the books.
Tips on how to study abroad in Spain
- It’s not all sunsoaked shorelines: It can snow in Spain. Not everywhere, but there is a ski season in the mountains. Remember that when packing your luggage: Spain is on the same latitude as New York.
- Dining out in Spain takes time: Not all restaurants are all-day affairs, but your average mom-and-pop isn’t going to get you and your food out the door in between classes. Rely on takeaway for class days.
- You’ll hear more than Spanish: Spain’s languages range from the main Castilian Spanish dialect to distinct languages Basque, Galician, Occitan, and Catalan. This will have a big impact on how you study abroad in Spain if you’re in Barcelona or San Sebastián.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Julian Elliott Photography. Image Location: Florence, Italy.
Tips on how to study abroad in Italy
- Bring your walking shoes, not your driving gloves: Many cities in Italy do have public transportation, but they’re all also pedestrian-friendly so residents often walk instead of driving or riding to their destination.
- Getting around Italy is easy: We all would love to live in Rome for a few months, but don’t forget that you can study abroad in Milan, Florence, Naples, and more, and still visit Rome with ease on the weekends with cheap train tickets.
- Think outside the pizza box: Yes, pizza and every other Italian dish you’ve grown up with is delicious in Italy, but many of the best Italian dishes haven’t made their way across the Atlantic. Have an open mind and an open mouth while visiting.
Tips on how to study abroad in France
- Learn some French. Seriously, a little linguistic effort goes a long way here.
- Plan for Paris expenses: Yes, the City of Light has high expenses to keep that light on.
- France is more than Paris. Think beyond the capital and you’ll find classrooms in the University of Strasbourg, Aix-Marseille University, and University of Bordeaux that have great academic programs.
Image Credit: Getty Images, David Clapp. Image Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The best places to study abroad in Europe (that you haven’t considered yet)
Croatia | Great for travel
Imagine weekends spent in Venice, Italy, and long weekends spent in the Austrian Alps. Croatia is a great place to base yourself when studying abroad in Europe, but fair warning: you’ll probably fall in love with Croatia’s culture and cities so much, you’ll never want to leave its borders.
Belgium | Great for political science majors
Brussels is the capital of Europe: The European Commission, NATO, European Parliament, and other governing institutions are based in Brussels, making it a perfect place for US poli-sci majors to study abroad.
Malta | Great for history majors
Everyone from the Romans and Phoenicians to the Normans and the French have left their mark on Malta, making it a compact melting pot that you can explore end-to-end when studying abroad in Europe.
Poland | Great for how to study abroad in Europe on a budget
Poland’s cost of living is low compared to most other European countries, making it much more affordable for US college students. Plus, you’re still close to Berlin, Prague, and Budapest, should you want to explore Central Europe.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Xavier Lorenzo. Image Location: Italy.
Start your study abroad journey
Let us teach you a thing or two about how to study abroad in Europe, like how to read the train boards and the difference between first class and second class train seats. Download the Trainline app, your cheat-sheet for finding the cheapest train tickets for your study abroad journey.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Carol Yepes. Image Location: Cala Morell, Minorca, Spain.