How to find the perfect study abroad program

Trying to find an ideal study abroad program can be overwhelming for anyone. There are so many things to consider, such as which country you want to study in, where you want to live while you are there, whether it is in a city or smaller town, and what personal goals you want to meet while abroad. Most of us can agree that studying abroad is a formative and enriching experience, whether you are a high school student or a retiree, but actually finding a program that suits your individual needs can be challenging.

            As a college student, I decided I wanted to go abroad to improve my fluency in the Italian, which I’ve been taking for a few years, but haven’t noticed a big improvement in my comprehension. My college has very limited options for study abroad programs, and none of them seemed to fit my interests or goals. I asked a few of my friends, who go to different colleges, about their study abroad experiences, and one of them responded that he found a website called Activa Languages that had done the research for him already. He told me about this amazing program he found on the website, which combined improving his fluency in Spanish and scuba diving. He lived with his professor, so he was totally immersed in the language and got the opportunity to go scuba diving a few times a week! When he got back, he was completely fluent.

            I looked at www.activa-languages.com  as soon as I could. I couldn’t believe the diversity of the programs. Even colleges that have great study abroad options have no where near the amount of programs on the website. Plus, Activa Languages only offers programs at accredited institutions, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of your experience. Their prices are the same as they would be if you signed up yourself, but they offer personalized advice too. When I called to sign up for a program in Tuscany, they answered all my questions, and made me really look forward to going abroad, instead of feeling anxious or nervous about the process. I’m so excited about my study abroad program!