Episode 27: Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad With Danielle Grace
If you’re considering enrolling in a studying abroad program, you may be wondering what the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad are. In this episode, Danielle Grace shares tips for studying abroad and how you can afford various study abroad experiences, even if you’re on a limited budget.
Danielle Grace is the host of the Young, Gifted, and Abroad Podcast. Young, Gifted and Abroad is a travel podcast that shares perspectives on studying abroad from past and present students of color. Each episode features a person of color who studied abroad as either a high school student, an undergraduate student, or a graduate student.
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Danielle Grace first set her sights on France in elementary school and on Japan in high school. She was fortunate to achieve those dreams by studying abroad in both countries as an undergraduate student at Michigan State University (’15). Danielle studied Comparative Culture and Politics, double majored in French, and minored in Japanese.
Remember: Don’t let not knowing how to do something stop you from pursuing your dreams.
Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad
In this episode, we cover:
- What is studying abroad?
- The advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.
- Challenges of studying abroad.
- How parents can encourage their kids to study abroad.
- Ways to fund study abroad programs.
- Types of expenses you might have when studying abroad.
What is studying abroad?
Danielle Grace:
I like to use a broad definition of studying abroad. For me, it’s anything outside of traveling for vacation or leisure. This could be any activity or program that someone participates in, in another country while they are a student.
This can include more traditional study abroad programs that are typically offered with universities, or it could be a gap year or volunteering or an internship or even just going to an academic conference. Those are all things that I feel fit under the umbrella of study abroad.
Typically study abroad programs could last anywhere from a week to a year.
Where do you find study abroad programs?
Danielle Grace:
Definitely look online.
Reach out to your network and go to your school to see what offers are available.
Ask people who you know are well traveled. Also check with your language professors because they usually know about what opportunities are available.
What are the benefits of studying abroad?
Danielle Grace:
Studying abroad gives you a boost to believe that you are able to achieve anything you put your mind to. Studying abroad also exposes you to other parts of the world, especially if you haven’t really gotten the chance to travel yet.
Having met so many people along the way that I’m still in touch with it, it feels nice to think that you have friends around the world.
Studying abroad lit a fire in me. At this point, I feel like I could go anywhere.
What are some ways to fund study abroad programs?
Danielle Grace:
Scholarships helped me a lot.
If you are a honor student, your university may have their own scholarships so look around for scholarships, especially within your major.
I’m not going to lie, I did have help from my family. My grandfather had set money aside for me to go to college when I was born.
Go Fund Me and other fundraising websites are also a possibility. Consider asking your family and friends if they’d be willing to donate.
Connect with Danielle Grace:
Podcast: https://www.younggiftedandabroad.com
Facebook: @younggiftedandabroad
Instagram: @younggiftedandabroad
Listen to these episodes next
Episode 80: How Going To College In Europe Is More Affordable
For more episodes of The Thought Card Podcast, listen to Episode 3 where Richelle Gamlam shares tips for teaching English in China or Episode 14 where we chat about how to take advantage of employer tuition reimbursement programs with Ogechi Igbokwe.
Looking to save more money to study abroad? I recommend using the Digit app which helps you save your spare change automatically. Use my referral code and get $5 to get started.
Planning a trip to Iceland? Grab a copy of my Iceland travel guide here.
Danielle Desir Corbett paid off $63,000 of student loan debt in 4 years, bought a house at 27, and has traveled to 27 countries, including her favorites, Iceland, China, and Bermuda. Go here to learn Danielle’s incredible story, from struggling financially and in debt to finding creative ways to earn more and live on her terms. Listen to The Thought Card Podcast, where Danielle shares how you can creatively travel more and build wealth regardless of your current financial situation. Reach out to Danielle by contacting: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.
Studying abroad is a privilege that students will surely love.
This always sounded so fascinating to me. I pretty much studied in my home country. I did make up for traveling when I hit my 30’s. Would have enjoyed studying in a place like my current location of Thailand.
If I could do it all again, I would have done more research and found more ways to fund studying abroad for sure! This episode with Danielle Grace is inspiring!