Study in Spain: Academics Service Providers

Have you always dreamed of studying abroad in Spain? Were you upset to discover that your school or university does not currently have a partnership with one of the many Spain academics service providers? Study abroad programs have become very popular among both secondary and university school students, but sadly, many schools, including a lot of colleges and universities, either don’t offer study abroad programs or the options they offer with regard to location are very limited.

This can be very frustrating, but it does not mean that your dream of studying in Spain cannot come true. For students desiring to study in Spain, academics service providers are still widely available, although you may have to go through a third-party provider rather than your home school to apply. Although your school’s selection of study abroad programs may be limited, most schools will usually accept high school or college credits from a Spanish school, as long as that school and the third-party Spain academics service provider—the organization that arranged the program—are accredited. In this article we will briefly explain the many tasks involved, both before and during your study abroad experience, and show you how Spain academics service providers can assist you with each of these tasks.

Spain Academics Service Providers: Tasks They Can Assist You With

If you want to study abroad in Spain, academics service providers can be of great assistance, providing a variety of services that include:

· Application Assistance. If you want to study in Spain, academics service providers can help you to apply. Spain academic service providers will usually review your qualifications to ensure you are eligible—qualifications such as age, grade point average, etc.—and if you are deemed eligible, a representative will then help you complete the required application and prepare you for the student interview that may be also necessary.

· Help with Costs. Some study abroad programs in Spain can be quite expensive, but if Spain is where you truly want to study, you should not let the cost deter you. Spain academics service providers can help connect you with organizations and foundations that provide financial assistance to those wanting to study abroad, including scholarship, grants, fellowships and student loans.

· Help with Logistics. Academic service providers understand that preparing to study abroad can be both exciting and nerve racking at the same time, which is why many of these organizations help to ease your stress by helping with some of the logistics of your trip. This includes arranging your roundtrip travel, helping you obtain the required travel documents and even helping you decide what to pack for the trip.

· Arrange Accommodations. Before you can begin the academic and cultural component of your study abroad adventure, you will first need someplace to stay. Spain academics service providers can help arrange for your student housing needs, with options that range from living on campus in a residence hall, renting a flat and for younger students, staying with a host family.

· Enroll in Courses. Third-party academic service providers are experts in getting you enrolled in the classes that most interest you. They are also great resources for ensuring that the credits you earn while studying in Spain are transferred expeditiously to your home school.

· Arrange Cultural and Sightseeing Excursions. Spain is a majestic country to visit, with amazing art, architecture, landmarks and scenery that should not be missed while you’re there. Spain academic service providers help to arrange many cultural and sightseeing excursions that allow you to see all the beauty Spain has to offer, and mingle with its people, learning the culture customs and traditions that make Spain such a wonderful place to visit.

Whether you enroll in a program offered by your school or by one of the many Spain academic service providers, the opportunity to study in Spain is one that should not be passed up, regardless of the obstacles you may face.

Study Abroad International Exchange: Growing as a Student and a Person

Are you the type of person who enjoys meeting new people, seeing new sights, taking risks and facing new challenges? Are you interested in gaining a new perspective both as a student and global citizen? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may want to consider one of the many study abroad international exchange programs that are currently available. Study abroad international exchange programs allow students just like you the opportunity to pursue academic excellence and diversity by studying in a foreign country. The programs also provide the perfect opportunity to learn about new cultures and to gain a new perspective on your own country by looking at it through the eyes of another country. The advantages of these study abroad programs are endless, and to illustrate that, in this article we will discuss some of the key benefits of participating in a study abroad international exchange program, including the academic profits and the opportunities for personal growth.

Study Abroad International Exchange: The Benefits

The study abroad international exchange experience is certainly not for every student, but it is for those who are seeking a different way of looking at the world—students who desire to experience the kindness, majesty and power in the cultures, customs and traditions of other people.

There are several academic benefits to studying in a foreign country. New language acquisition, for example, not only makes you a well-rounded person; it can also prove to be a significant advantage professionally in the future. Another academic advantage is the opportunity to look at problems from a new perspective, and to experience the history of another country first-hand by directly interacting with professors, fellow students and your host family. Most colleges and universities allow you to transfer your credits from your study abroad international exchange program back to your home school, so while some of your classmates will be going through the same old grind, you’ll be earning the same amount of credits while experiencing the wonderment and excitement of a foreign land.

Perhaps even more important than the academic benefits to studying abroad, are the opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. While most people live the majority of their lives seeing the world through a one-country perspective, you’ll become liberated from that way of thinking and learn to appreciate your duty and responsibility as a world citizen. You’ll encounter several challenges as a study abroad international exchange participant, affording you the opportunity to improve your character and problem-solving skills. Each and every day of your study abroad experience will be filled with new sights, sounds and tastes, and these are experiences that you will remember for a lifetime.

The program options for studying abroad are virtually limitless. As a study abroad international exchange student you can study subjects such as science and engineering in Germany, biology in Africa or South America, world religions in the Middle East or Literature in the United Kingdom. With literally thousands of programs and opportunities available, you are almost certain to find one that suits your unique interests.

What Can I Find in a Directory of Study Abroad Programs?

Are you considering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend school overseas, if even for one semester? Do you need more information about study abroad programs, including what these programs entail and the candidacy requirements for each program? There are many, many different ways to study abroad, with programs available for almost any interest, but getting started can often pose quite a challenge. If you are a high school student, for example, you could of course check with the school guidance counselor, but many of these professionals can be very overworked, and are therefore not very current in their knowledge of study abroad opportunities. Even some college students find it complicated to find the appropriate on-campus resources that can help answer their questions.

Fortunately, with the widespread popularity of the Internet, finding information on study abroad programs has never been easier. There are now many international exchange programs with a website on which students can browse through a directory of study abroad programs, getting answers to questions that range from “how much does it cost to study abroad” to “what are the requirements of each program.” To illustrate this, below we will outline just some of the crucial pieces of information you can usually cull from a directory of study abroad programs, which in most cases, also includes the name of a contact person that can help answer any further questions.

Directory of Study Abroad Programs: What Information Is Available?

A directory of study abroad programs is a great tool when performing preliminary research on studying overseas. Some of the information you can locate includes:

Type of Program. A directory of study abroad programs will generally place programs into two general categories, representing the two basic types of international education programs: Study Abroad and Exchange. A study abroad program may span one semester, an entire school year, or be more short-term in nature, such as a 4-week program during summer or winter intersession. They will typically consist of courses that are aimed at a particular course of study, including language acquisition, and are taught by instructors at the host school. Exchange programs usually span one semester or academic year, and are very similar to study abroad programs in terms of courses and instruction. However, the major difference between the two programs is in the word “exchange.” In an exchange program, when a student goes to study in a host country, a student from that country is sent in exchange to study in the United States.

Requirements. A directory of study abroad programs will also list the program’s requirements. This can include eligibility requirements, such as a specific grade point average, or requirements after acceptance, such as the travel documents a student will need to participate.

Cost and Financial Aid. Also to be found in a directory of student abroad programs is the cost of each program, and resources through which students can apply for financial assistance and scholarships.

Living Arrangements. Living arrangements could include both on and off-campus housing, along with living with a host family.

This is just a small sample of the wealth of information you can discover in a directory of study abroad programs, and collectively, these directories make it easier than ever to research academic opportunities overseas.

Why Study Abroad: A Look at Some of the Benefits of Studying Abroad

Why study abroad when I can study at home? This is a very popular and frequently asked question among students, but you may be surprised by all the fantastic reasons to study abroad—reasons that have been given by students who have previously participated in a study abroad program. To give you an idea about what you can expect, in this article we will provide a list featuring some of the key reasons to study abroad, as reported by students who have participated in these programs.

Why Study Abroad?

The number of reasons to study abroad is virtually limitless, but for the purpose of brevity, here we will merely look at some of the top reasons reported by other students.

Why Study Abroad? Broaden Your Horizons. The world is a vast and amazing place, but sadly, the majority of people will only experience a very small part of all the sights and experiences the world has to offer. From the Eiffel Tower in France to the Great Wall of China, the sights of the world and the cultures of its people are endless and are definitely a great incentive to participate in a study abroad program.

Why Study Abroad? Explore Your Heritage. Haven’t you ever wondered or had unanswered questions about the homeland of your ancestors? Study abroad programs give you the opportunity to visit the countries in which your family has roots and to learn the customs, tradition and language that have helped shaped who you are.

Why Study Abroad? Learn a New Language. Today, unlike any other time in our history, there is a strong interconnectedness between your homeland and the other countries in the world. Consequently, learning a new language, which is possible with many study abroad programs, can open up a whole new world for you, both culturally and professionally.

Why Study Abroad? Gain Insight through New Friendships. Many students who participate in study abroad programs will forge lifelong friendships that will help them gain a new insight and outlook on the world. Between the fellow students you’ll meet, the professors and the members of your host family, study abroad programs allow you to expand your network of friends and enjoy all the benefits that are inherent with these new relationships.

Why Study Abroad? Gain a New Perspective. In our day to day lives we tend to become immersed in the trials and tribulations of our own country. However, when you participate in a study abroad program you’ll be regularly exposed to a number of different cultures, traditions and customs, and that experience will help give you a new perspective of your own homeland and the life you lead in it.

Why Study Abroad? Financial and Professional Potential. Participating in a study abroad program can look great on a professional resume. It indicates to potential employers that you not only have cross-cultural skills that could benefit their company, but a strong commitment to personal growth and achievement.

So why study abroad? The better question is why wouldn’t you participate in one of these programs? Not only will you enjoy the personal experience of a lifetime, but that experience could very well benefit you professionally for years to come.

Study Abroad: Are You a Good Candidate?

Are you a good candidate for a study abroad program? While many students assume that they have to have the highest grades in their class or be loaded with money to participate in study abroad programs, nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, most study abroad programs are seeking students with at least average grades, but even more important than your GPA is a willingness to learn and to try new things. As for money, you may be surprised by how affordable these programs truly are. Many organizations offer scholarships and financial assistance to study abroad candidates, and with thousands of host families throughout the world, many of your “room and board” type expenses may be 100 percent covered.

It is true that many study abroad programs have some academic requirements, but this does not mean you have to be Einstein-like to become eligible. Additionally, contrary to popular myth, most study abroad programs do not even have language requirements. What’s truly important to those who make the participant selections for study abroad programs is who you are as a person. Generally, a good candidate for a study abroad program is someone who enjoys new experiences—an independent and self assured person who enjoys meeting new people and is tolerant and accepting of other cultures. Those who enjoy a challenge are also great candidates, because the experience of studying in another country is bound to be fraught with new environments, circumstances and predicaments, all designed to help you grow both as a student and a person.

If you’re still wondering if you would be a suitable candidate for a study abroad program, try asking yourself the following the questions and see what you come up with:

· Do I like to try new things? This could include new cultures, traditions, customs and language, along with meeting new people and eating different types of food.

· Do I enjoy making my own decisions? When studying abroad, for awhile you will be without your normal support system, your friends and your family. This means you will need to be independent, making simple decisions such as what to eat and when to leave for school, as well as more important decisions such as how to cope with conflict and change.

· I am a risk taker? Let’s face it. Studying in another country can be intimidating initially, but the rewards are well worth any of the risks.

· Do I have a track record for dealing with complex situations? Through the course of your study abroad program you will be faced with many complex situations that are aimed to help you grow and mature.

· Will my current school accept credits from my study abroad program? While most colleges, universities and even high schools will accept credits from study abroad programs—and for good reason—it is always best to confirm this fact before applying to a program.

If you don’t like challenges or taking risks, study abroad programs may not be your cup of tea, but on the flip side, if you enjoy experiences that allow you to meet new people, absorb new cultures and think independently, these programs are definitely worth considering.