6 Risks Of Studying Abroad

By Allie Mitchell on September 30, 2016

When you choose to study abroad, you make the decision to go to an unfamiliar country and spend time there and embrace the customs while learning academically. You want to pick the best place that will give you lots to learn from.

I always considered studying abroad but never got a chance to do it. There are plenty of scholarships and money available to those looking into it and once you have your passport all set, you could be on your way to a wonderful time of cultural learning.

But with all the learning and exciting factors that come with studying abroad also come a few possible downsides. The idea of studying abroad is always so fantastical and full of adventure (as it should be), but students should also consider the opposite side of things as well?

When traveling to somewhere foreign there are always things to consider. You want to be safe wherever you go. My mother would be worried sick knowing I was going to a different country; she would be so happy that I was going to get academic credit and learn about other cultures along the way, but of course she would be thinking of probably every bad thing that could happen.

That is where this article comes in, to shed some light on a few of the risks and things you should look out for when studying abroad or even just considering studying abroad. You shouldn’t be constantly filled with the idea of fear when traveling way out of the norm, but you should always be prepared for the unknown even if sometimes that may seem impossible.

It never hurts to be aware of the worst that could happen, right?

lifeofpix.com

1. Politics

Other country politics can get in the way of your trip or pull you completely out of your trip altogether. Numerous college students have been pulled out of their programs or trips were postponed to ensure students would not be in any danger. Universities are normally very on top of this and will immediately get flights home for students to make sure everyone is safe. When looking into places you want to study, keep in mind the current events of the countries you are looking into.

2. Illness

Sickness seems like a no brainer, but sometimes with new countries come diseases and infections you were not aware of. Be aware that when you travel to a foreign country you are not immune to what might lie over there and the fact that a simple mosquito may cause more problems than it does in the USA.

3. Weather

Weather is something that absolutely no one can really predict. Freak storms and such are quite scary when you don’t have your own house to protect you. Being in a foreign country with a hurricane coming can scare you and all you have for comfort is the other students and your chaperones. You will need to be prepared for things like this since unsightly weather is a risk that you and your fellow students are willing to take.

4. Auto accidents

Ironically, auto accidents are yet another thing that is on the list of risks that you may face while traveling abroad. Auto accidents can happen in your backyard, but happening while you are studying abroad isn’t something that many people consider since traveling around in a car isn’t something you picture when you envision your time in another country.

5. Assault

A heartbreaking risk is the risk of being assaulted. This kind of behavior could happen right where you are living now, but in a foreign country where you have no idea what the customary measures are for something like that, let alone thought this would even happen while you are there, can be very discombobulating and scary. All you want after that is to go home. Unfortunately, this has happened a few times to students while traveling abroad who asked to be sent home after such situations.

6. Medical care

The country you are in determines the type of medical care that is available there. Sometimes when things happen, your host country may not have sufficient medical care that can help out whatever is going on, making the situation more drastic than it may need to be. You want to make sure wherever you are traveling to has a well maintained medical system, so if you turn ill you can be properly treated.

San Sebastian (lifeofpix.com)

Studying abroad can be a fulfilling and exciting move to make in your college career, but it should not be done on a whim. Do your research and then make your decision!

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