The most popular semesters to study abroad is in the spring. This means that spots are harder to get for getting into a program, the programs fill up quicker, and prices might be raised.
Doesn’t it sound easier to study abroad in the fall?
Don’t get us wrong –studying abroad in the spring is great. By the end of the semester (in Northern Hemisphere study abroad locations) the weather is so beautiful you don’t want to leave!
However, don’t count out the fall semester.
When students think about the spring semester not being for them, most immediately think of a summer study abroad program, and forget about the fall!
The following is a list of reasons why the fall is not as underrated as people tend to think it is.
Here are nine reasons to study abroad in the fall:
Senior Thesis
The majority of study abroad participants study abroad in their junior year. However, a lot of the time this year is the primary year to begin your organization of life after college. Stay domestic your entire junior year, then travel abroad fall semester senior year. This will give you more time to work with your major advisor to develop senior projects and theses.
Internships
Dates for internships and jobs for summer after junior year are often incompatible with spring study abroad program dates. They tend to start before students return to the states, whereas fall programs start well after summer internships end.
Smaller Program Size
There will likely be fewer study abroad students and tourists in your host country. This also allows for program capacity limits to be less likely a problem.
Fellowships
You will have more time to prepare scholarship and fellowship applications that are due in September (e.g. Rhodes and Fulbright) if you study abroad the fall semester of your junior year, instead of spring of your junior year (which is the most popular).
Housing
You will have an easier time finding on campus and off campus housing in the spring semester because so many students will be abroad while you’re back home!
Program Extension
Some programs offer extending your study abroad into the spring semester!
Tests: Dates for spring/summer standardized tests for professional school (e.g. LSAT) conflict with dates of most spring study abroad programs.
Enjoy Spring Twice
If you participate in a study abroad program in the Southern hemisphere, you can take classes during the host country’s spring semester, enjoy the warm summer weather traveling at the end of the program, and return for spring semester in the states!
Life After Graduation
You will have more time to prepare for life after graduation, whether that entails a job search, graduate program applications, or a transitional experience like volunteering abroad.