Need help choosing a place to study abroad!

[byler]

Okay, I have been planning this crazy 6 month trip to Spain forever and my school's financial aid fell through on me so I won't be able to go. However, my major requires me to study abroad as a graduation requirement (I'm not complaining). So, I'm going to have to choose a summer program instead, which will work out better financially. And, I get a whole lot more options. Here are the ones I am deciding from:

Seoul, Korea
Chengdu, China
Copenhagen, Denmark
Turin, Italy
Hamilton, New Zealand
Bangkok, Thailand

For the longest time I was hopeing to go to Europe, but I've decided I am going to experience Europe after I graduate college -- I'm going to treat myself to a summer backpacking trip. Looking into things, the program in Seoul would be awesome, but I was just wondering if you guys had any suggestions about any of the above, if you've ever been to any of the places, etc.

Thanks!!!

Byler

[GoKrazy]

Well.... What do you want to study? It's nice to go abroad and see new places, but this is your education. My advice is simple - pick the school that would be best suited to your program, just like you would at home. The fact that it's in a place far, far away is just an added bonus.

All the places that you mentioned are amazing in their own way, but asking which is the best is like comparing apples and oranges. If these schools are all comparable in opportunities and programs offered, then just go to a country that appeals to you the most.

Best of luck Byler! I'm sure that any school you pick you'll have a great time.

[Joker]

study a broad? try your bedroom, or a couch.

Oh, you meant ABROAD! :D

Maybe I missed it, but what are you studying? From there I would choose the place that is emerging as a major region in your field.

China is always a plus, I'd think because of the economic impact the country has on the US. But, S. Korea is becoming the strongest force in SE Asia, surpassing Japan economically...

Don't sell yourself short on Europe, though. The advantage to you studying abroad there now is that you may find some spots on breaks that you want to hit again. Additionally, the language barriers may not be as strong with the everyday folks outside of your coursework.

I'm in a similar boat, as my trip to Europe this summer got shot when I took a new job. But, my externship through school takes me to the Amalfi Coast of Italy next summer, so I plan on staying an additional chunk of time and backpacking then...

Good luck!

[byler]

Originally posted by GoKrazy@May 5 2005, 03:30 AM
Well.... What do you want to study? It's nice to go abroad and see new places, but this is your education.

All the schools I am choosing from are International Business, so there were other places I could have gone but these are the ones that I would like to go because of the program

[worldwidemike]

Hmmm...do you want the chocolate chip cookie, the peanut butter one, or the pecan sandie? All sound like great options to me, byler!

Seriously, I would choose (in order):
* Turin, Italy - cuz I love Italy and it would be great to live there for 6 months
* Hamilton, NZ - gorgeous country, great people, and all kinds of activities to do on your days off
* Bangkok, Thailand - because of all the cool stuff there would be to see out of there, and how exotic it'd be
* Chengdu, China - ditto, and with China becoming a bigger and bigger world player, that'd be great job experience

Seoul I've been to and wasn't overly impressed, and Denmark (Scandinavia) is supposed to be really expensive, although I haven't been there. I'd worry about trying to live on a student salary, though.

worldwidemike