From May term in Oxford to summer in Cortona and winter in Australia, the University of Georgia (UGA) offers students a wide range of study abroad options. While these international programs can be exciting and eye-opening, they also present a range of financial, emotional, and physical challenges for students.
For junior Fontana Cary, who studied in Seville, Spain, the idea of navigating a foreign country alone once felt overwhelming.
“If you had told me in seventh grade that I would spend a summer in Spain with a roommate I barely knew and a group of strangers, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Cary said. “I rarely stepped outside my comfort zone before, but this experience completely changed that.”
Although the program was a major departure from her usual routine, Cary described the experience as “the best summer ever,” saying she loved her time abroad.
Adjusting to a new culture and lifestyle is often one of the hardest parts of studying abroad. According to the U.S. Department of State, students frequently experience a period of cultural adjustment known as “culture shock,” which can involve homesickness, disorientation, discomfort, and fatigue.
Dan Keirick, a senior studying Management Information Systems and International Business, has studied abroad in Geneva, Oxford, and Tel Aviv. For him, being with other UGA students helped ease the transition.
“It always feels like you’re with a group of Bulldogs,” Keirick said. “You’re all in a new place, and the only connection you have at first is each other.”
UGA’s Office of Global Engagement (OGE) supports students throughout their study abroad experience. Carmen Candal, a global education advisor with the office, said her team works to guide students through every step of the process.
With more than 100 different programs available, OGE also helps students choose the right fit based on factors such as duration, academic level, and cost. Programs range from a single week to a full academic year. Candal encourages students to consider how credits apply toward their degree, whether there are language prerequisites, and which destination best suits their academic and personal goals.
Financial planning is a key part of the process. OGE offers financial aid resources and scholarship advising. In-state students can apply their HOPE or Zell Miller scholarships toward study abroad, while out-of-state students pay in-state tuition for UGA-led programs. Specific colleges, including the College of Education, the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, and the Terry College of Business, also offer their own scholarships.
Some programs include internship components abroad, and students may be eligible for funding to support those experiences. Depending on the program and associated travel costs, grants or stipends may be available to cover expenses.
Despite the potential difficulties, the benefits of studying abroad can be significant. After her program in Seville, Cary was inspired to switch from a Spanish minor to a Spanish major, seeing opportunities to continue using the language professionally.
One of the most important advantages of studying abroad, Candal said, is the ability to “broaden your intercultural understanding and build connections with cultures beyond your own.”
She added that international experience can also strengthen a student’s résumé and professional network. Employers and graduate programs often value candidates who have demonstrated the ability to adapt and succeed in new environments.
“The fact that you’ve completed a rigorous academic program abroad while adjusting to a new culture and place,” Candal said, “shows a powerful set of skills.”
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