Finding the Perfect Fit & Doing Research

    One of the toughest and probably most confusing part of a non-Union program is figuring out the program. It is also the most important because you're program can make or break your study abroad experience. I say this because you aren't in school most of the day now and you certainly won't be abroad. You will be with the people you travel with in your program or you could be alone with the students at the school you choose.

    For most, it's easier to decide on a location and then find programs using a site like www.Studyabroad.com because you can search your location and then they will bring up hundreds of different opportunities that you then can request information about. Or you can search by major program, or look at different programs and determine location afterwards.

Some things you should keep in mind:

Where do you want to go?
What do you want to study?
Do you want to live in/near a city?
Do you want to live in the dorm or apartment style housing?
Public Transportation options?
Is cost an issue?
Currency/Exchange rate?
External educational opportunities available?


    I remember doing one search and there was a term abroad to Antarctica! You spent 3 months in America learning about the frozen continent and then a month doing research there. VERY interesting and cool if you're into the extreme sciences and cold!

Any easy way to weed out some programs is to decide whether or not to go abroad with another school or with a company like AIFS, API, IES, ISEP, etc (all google-able). Some schools offer programs with the same students so you might be taking some classes with the kids you go abroad with, or have special programs for certain majors. I decided to go with a company who job it is to make sure you're safe and have a good time in a different way than a school's international programs office. In some cases, with a school program you could be traveling with a faculty advisor who will probably be very hands-off in your living situation and life outside of class. I decided that by going with a company, I will have a "House Mom" in the city I am staying in who will organize events throughout the term, and the company's success is based on you having a good time and giving them good reviews for future students.

    So I came across THE EDUCATION ABROAD NETWORK. And I COULD NOT be happier. So far, they have answered more questions, emails and phone calls from me and everyone in my program and have been extremely helpful. Everything is personal and you are not just a number to them. The interaction is genuine and they want you to have the BEST experience possible, not just an experience. I was going back and forth between this program for Australia and a study abroad experience in Iceland and I really am so glad I decided to work with TEAN. Also, everything between them and Union College International programs has been seamless and that relationship is one less thing you have to worry about.

On that note, I just want to give a shout out to the people at TEAN and Union International programs for being amazing because without them, I would not have been able to get everything done that I needed to and they are all incredibly supportive and lovely people and I am SO SO thankful for them!

    At the end of the day, your program can make or break or study abroad experience and it's helpful to go  with a program that is established and will be able to help/assist you with any questions you might have. Since you are doing this alone it can definitely be more nerve-wracking than going on a regular Union term abroad. So do your research! You will be glad you did.