Deciding where to spend four to five months of your college experience — and a few years’ worth of your life savings — can be difficult. Syracuse University offers study abroad placements in 60 countries, with more 100 different programs to choose from. Daunting, I know.  

It seems easier to chase the Sun, given the fact Syracuse offers enough snow and bad weather. But it’s critical for students to choose a destination suitable for not only their academic goals, but their personal ones, as well.  

Taking advantage of the SU Abroad website is the perfect way to do this. On their website, students can find financial resources, FAQs, staff lists and the different programs available in order to help them decide which is their best fit. For me, the “programs” section is where I found the most helpful information. The page offers locations, need-to-knows, student ambassador contact details and a cheeky brochure. There are also brief summaries that discuss what living in a particular city is like, the cost of the program, key dates and possible internships provided. These summaries offer a closer look than what you might expect.  

For me, I knew that an abroad work experience was a must. As a public relations major, this narrowed my search even further — sadly, away from the sun. Eventually, after doing some research, speaking with a few different student ambassadors and looking into scholarships and financial aid offered along with the total cost of my program, I decided on London.  

I chose to study in London because I’ve visited before as a tourist but wanted to experience the city like a local. As a hub of innovation, multimedia storytelling, activism and creativity, London fuels my need for fast-paced learning opportunities paired with work experience. Personally, I’d love to work in London right after I graduate, so with a public relations internship — coordinated through my program — in London, I will have global experience under my belt for when the time comes. 

It’s important to note that, when choosing your study abroad program, not every geography caters to all course requirements. As a PR major, I had a limited choice of major classes in London, but there are endless Arts and Science courses available I can complete for graduation requirements. Living and taking classes in the heart of London, my courses include “Race, Gender, and the Media”; The Global Workplace” internship course and “Global Affairs and Human Rights.” 

Studying in a country with such a rich history and powerful global impact will inevitably expose me to different ways of thinking and allow me to experience cross-cultural communication outside the traditional classroom. Most importantly, I believe London will fuel me with a determination to learn as much as I can about the field of communications and myself, given the endless opportunities the city holds.  

London also serves as the epicenter of countries on my bucket list that I want to visit. Many students studying abroad are adventure-ridden and seek to learn, understand and experience a new culture. Being able to travel to other countries while abroad is also a major part of the decision to leave Syracuse. For those still trying to choose a destination, know what you want to get from the experience. Don’t choose a location based on where your best friend wants to study, where you will get the best Instagram shots — although a very important detail — or necessarily the most affordable. Basing your decision off limited criteria will only set you up for disappointment, limited personal growth and loss of precious SU time.  

If you choose wisely and take advantage of the abundant resources that are only a few clicks away, I promise you will be content with wherever you end up. It’s also okay if not everyone supports your decision to go abroad. My family was very happy for me and they knew it was right up my alley, but my education and its inclusive experiences are my choices and they’ll not be supporting me financially. But a part of this abroad experience is learning how to “adult” and navigate through real-life obstacles. Stay tuned to learn about how I will budget for my abroad experience as a full-time student.

Published on January 15, 2019 at 12:01 am