Choosing a Program

Not sure which study abroad program is right for you? Take these tips into consideration while you explore your options!
Consider Which Type of Program Interests You:
Would you like to go for a semester, year, winter, or summer? A semester or year program offers the opportunity for a more immersive experience than you may get on a short-term program. There are both Baylor Faculty Programs and Baylor Partner Programs that take place over a semester for students to choose from. How about an internship? You can take courses and take a for-credit internship in your country of study. Baylor works with partners who connect students with internship opportunities in their area of interest and study for either a summer or semester to earn 3-6 credits. Our Baylor students have interned in the UK, Chile, Australia, and Czech Republic (to name a few!)
Academic Interests
Academics come first when evaluating study abroad programs.
Consider:
- Which courses you need to graduate and which ones you can take while abroad.
- Work with your academic advisor to come up with a list of courses you can take abroad to stay on track.
- Then bring that list to your study abroad advisor to help determine which programs make the most sense for you!
Personal Interests
Ask Yourself:
- What do I want to get out of studying abroad?
- Do I want to learn a language?
- Do I want to be able to easily travel to many different places?
- Do I want to be in a big city or a smaller city/town?
- Do I want to experience what it is like to attend a large university in another country?
- What level of support/independence do I want while abroad?
- Do I want to go abroad with only other Baylor students?
- Do I want to go abroad with a Baylor faculty member?
- Do I want to take courses directly enrolled at a local university?
Consider:
- What do you want out of this experience, not your classmates or others?
- Talk to other students who have gone abroad to make an informed choice.
- Choose the program that best fits your personality and interests.
- Keep in mind your needs as an individual, consider any accessibility and accommodation barriers you may face, and review our steps to Disability Accommodations Abroad.
Professional Goals
Ask Yourself:
- What skillset am I looking to gain by studying abroad?
- Should I do an internship while being abroad?
- What other clubs or orgs do I want to look into abroad?
Consider:
- Studying abroad is a good time to build your networks. Networking with new people on your program, at your host institution, and that you meet during your time abroad can help you to build a network of contacts as you move into your future career.
- Some of our semester-long programs offer an academic internship option. Completing an internship while abroad is a great way to gain professional experience in a global society.
- Start thinking about the soft skills you develop while studying abroad and how you can hone those in your program. Soft skills include things like intercultural communication, adaptability, and problem-solving.
Window shop
Explore Programs. Search by discipline, term, or location, and get excited! Don't worry about making any final decisions at this stage, just get an idea.
Take a Class
Did you know you can take a class before you go abroad to learn more about your chosen country and what to expect? Click here to learn more.