Whether you are a college student planning on taking a gap year before starting college or if you are just getting your feet wet, you should take a look at the many different programs offered by study abroad summer programs. It is important to remember that the summer program you choose will depend in large part on the type of college you are attending. If you are attending a college that offers accelerated degree programs, then it is best to consider the time away from school as an opportunity to give yourself a good chance to improve on your coursework.
A word of caution: study abroad summer programs are not for everyone. Many people in a similar situation are miserable in their experience. The worst possible thing you can do is sign up for a program that promises you will fall in love with your host country but gives you no chance to explore that country first hand. You should always spend time reading books and taking online courses before deciding if you want to go abroad.
If you have been thinking about going to study abroad summer programs but aren’t sure you are ready, then consider staying home. It is true that there is no better way to learn the language of a new country than living there for a few months. Plus, you can feel more connected to the people of your host country by living amongst them. If you have friends or family in that country that are interested in learning the language, it is worth the extra effort to stay home. Of course, there are exceptions, but these are the most common reasons why people say they wouldn’t attend study abroad summer programs if they could avoid them.