Pros and Cons of Short-Term Study Abroad Programs

A short-term study program is a fantastic opportunity to travel and earn academic credits in a short period of time. Whether you study abroad at a local university for the summer or learn a language with a host family, there are many personal and academic benefits to be gained from a short-term study abroad program.

But, how does it compare to long-term study abroad programs?

Wondering which one is right for you? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of short-term study abroad programs!

If the idea of hopping on a plane and living in a foreign country for 3-12 months sounds intimidating, consider a short-term study abroad program!

Here are a few reasons short-term study abroad programs can help you ease into living abroad or traveling for the first time:

• It can minimize homesickness: Homesickness can be debilitating and affect your experience in every facet. Compared to a full semester or academic year abroad, a short-term program requires less mental preparation. Since you know that home is just around the corner, that can make your anxiety more manageable and help you to fully embrace the experience.
• Your program will be highly structured: Since you have limited time abroad, your schedule will be tightly packed with classes, excursions, and cultural activities. This can help distract you from dwelling on feelings of homesickness. You’ll also be with other students in your program, minimizing feelings of isolation or loneliness during your time abroad.
• Reassures protective parents: Opting for a shorter program can help ease your parents’ worries. They’ll know you’ll be following a strict program structure, only be abroad for a few weeks, and be supported by your program leaders, which can better encourage them to approve the trip.
• A glimpse of long-term traveling (without the commitment): Long-term study abroad programs can offer many personal and professional benefits, but it can be a huge undertaking if you’re not an experienced traveler. Short-term study abroad allows travelers to dip their toes into the water and culturally immerse before deciding to stay or plan a long-term trip in the future. It gives you a supervised taste of life in a foreign country, builds your confidence and independence, and prepares you for future adventures.

After overcoming the initial phases of adjustment and culture shock, you’ll soon develop a rhythm for studying abroad. However, as soon as you begin to truly immerse yourself in the culture and develop a routine, your swift time abroad may come to an end.

While short-term study abroad programs can offer a glimpse into long-term travel, it can end before you feel that you get going. Spending time abroad with an itinerary packed with cultural excursions, socializing, and study abroad activities can make your experience fun, but fleeting.

However, your time studying abroad may give you the travel bug for new adventures! Who knows, maybe it’ll encourage you to continue traveling, like teaching English in South Korea after graduation or embarking on a solo travel stint as a digital nomad!

When you add up the year-long costs of tuition, housing, food and other living factors, long-term study abroad can definitely be expensive. If you can’t afford the money or time to study abroad for a year or three, short-term study abroad can allow you to experience education abroad without the financial burden of a long-term program.

With only 5-10 weeks or less to get to know a city, the culture, and the language you may not have enough time to take it all in.

Even if you’re taking accelerated classes in the local language, a short-term program is unlikely to give you time to pick it up unless it’s a highly intensive course. To prepare yourself for this, take classes in the language before you arrive. Do your homework on customs, etiquette, and the general culture and read more about what mistakes to avoid while studying abroad.

Additionally, when you factor in airfare and visa costs, you might not save that much money considering how little time you spend compared to a long-term study abroad program.

Since it's a shorter program, you can focus on taking the classes you need most or are most excited about. Short-term study abroad programs can offer highly unique courses that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to take at home.

For example, learning Spanish in Spain or marine biology in the Galapagos would be much more immersive than at your home university.

These programs are often hyper-focused and are a great way to gain quick international exposure, learn a specific skill, and fulfill short-term academic requirements.

Not all short-term study programs offer transferable academic credits. Depending on what your goals are, you should research whether your academic credits are transferable. If your objective was to gain academic credits and enhance your college application, only to find out that the credits aren’t transferable, then you may regret taking the program.

Read more: How to Earn Academic Credit on Your Gap Year

Short-term programs offer plenty of flexibility for travelers. Whether you’re studying and taking exams throughout the entire year or working a demanding job, short-term study programs can accommodate a busy annual schedule. Whether you want to study over the summer or winter break, or on your vacation, you’ll have more options to fit in a short-term program.

When arriving in a new country, you’ll often experience sensory overload. The smell of foreign ingredients at food markets, the sounds of unfamiliar cultural cogs ticking, and the sights of foreign architecture, landmarks, and vastly different landscapes. There's just so much to do and see!

You may feel overwhelmed as you try to prioritize what to do and when especially if studying will take up a large portion of your time. Should you want to try new restaurants, schedule weekend trips away, or experience the country’s nightlife, you may struggle to find the time to do so.

However, the use of a guidebook and also the cultural knowledge of your study abroad advisors or program coordinators can help you decide what you just can't miss in the city. Regardless of the length of time that you spend there, you can enjoy your time and plan on coming back!

There are many factors to consider when you want to study abroad, and here are the main ones that you’ll need to bear in mind:

• Cost: Program costs, airfare, visa, and the in-country cost of living are things that you’ll need to consider to ensure that you can afford your excursion abroad. Be sure to budget accordingly and have a safety net in case you take part in more activities or the event of an emergency!
• How much time you can commit: Study abroad programs come in many different forms and can cater to different time restrictions. Whether you can only commit to a week, a month, or a summer, you can find many programs that will accommodate your schedule.
• Academic goals: Do you want to gain academic credits, or just develop your knowledge and practical skills? Consider how this program will benefit your academic or professional goals before applying.
• Travel goals: You’ll have a life outside of the classroom during your study abroad! Consider how the location can cater to your personal and travel goals while you’re abroad.

There are many ways to find your ideal short-term study abroad program, starting right here at Go Overseas! But to know what to look for, you need to narrow down your options.

• Choose a subject: It seems counterintuitive to study abroad without a subject in mind. Decide which subject will benefit you personally, academically, or personally, and then you can decide to specialize in particular modules or areas of your subject when studying abroad.
• Research locations: It’s important that you go to a country that will benefit your personal experience because studying abroad is about experiencing a different culture while progressing academically. When choosing a location, consider its climate, culture, landscape, cost of living, and more. Additionally, consider whether the country is reputable for your area of study!
• Prepare your documents: At this point, you should’ve found the perfect program to study abroad. Be sure to prepare your documents, ensure your passport is valid, and get a hold of any reference letters if required. At this point, all that’s left to do is apply!
• Book your flights and apply for your visa! Congratulations on securing your dream study abroad program! Once you’ve been accepted into the program, you can focus on obtaining your visa and booking your flights.

Studying abroad - in whatever capacity - can offer a life-changing and enriching experience. You’ll grow personally, academically, and professionally, and you may make friends for life! If you’re struggling to decide whether to opt for a short-term or a long-term study abroad program, consider the pros and cons above, because everyone’s requirements are different! Regardless of how long you study abroad, you’ll create meaningful memories and the option to pick up where you left off will always be there!

Read more about studying abroad:

• How to Ace Your Study Abroad Application
• 15 Best Summer Study Abroad Programs
• 10 Ways to Study Abroad
• 10 Reasons Why Every Student Should Study Abroad