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I'm looking in to a few study abroad programs in London for 2008, but I’m more interested in the 'being abroad' then in the 'studying'. Not that I expect to slack off and still receive great marks or anything. It's just that I would be very upset if reading assignments and papers took up the bulk of my time. Can anyone let me know from experience (yours or others) what the workload might be like? Thanks.

Wellllll... it depends. With what kind of program will you be studying? Will this be a high school or university exchange? Will you be studying in a foreign language that you speak or will you be working on learning that language, too?

The short answer is that it will be as easy or as difficult as the classes for which you register.

University exchange, and i'll be studying in english (my first language). I guess university abroad is much like university state-side. I always had it in my head that for some reason courses there would be more demanding, or that more was expected from students? guess not huh?

For the most part, you are assigned readings and don't really have to go to class ever if you don't care to. Show up for exams and you do alright. I've never been to Uni in Europe but it definitely seems like its a lighter load than most decent places in the states. I guess it might depend on the country you're going to though.

I did a study-abroad program in Ireland at one of the National University campuses... the work was really easy. The system is different than American schools: literally everything depends on the exam, which means you never have to go to class, but most of the people who never went ended up studying for their exams the entire spring break, while I went to Italy. However, there were also rumors going around with all the American kids that the professors were actually much easier on us than they would normally be to native students, because our grades didn't factor into grade inflation or anything. Even so, I wrote some of the worst papers of my life and got As.
Check out your schools study away office. There ought to be someone there who can help you pick a program that has all the things you're looking for.

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Originally posted by CAseyA:However, there were also rumors going around with all the American kids that the professors were actually much easier on us.

Nah. Small European undergraduate programs are notoriously mediocre. It's been a source of contention for a few years now, with many complaining that it's impossible to find excellent liberal arts programs outside of Europe's major universities.

American satellite campuses in Europe are also notoriously bad. They are designed to demand as little as possible from the student.

You should be fine.

I studied abroad in Sevilla and I took Global business classes, through the University of Sevilla. The workload wasn't bad at all. I think all the professors understood that if you're there t study, you're also there to travel and they def take that into consideration. At least that's been my experience.

quote:

Originally posted by Continental Op:

quote:

Originally posted by CAseyA:However, there were also rumors going around with all the American kids that the professors were actually much easier on us.

Nah. Small European undergraduate programs are notoriously mediocre. It's been a source of contention for a few years now, with many complaining that it's impossible to find excellent liberal arts programs outside of Europe's major universities.

American satellite campuses in Europe are also notoriously bad. They are designed to demand as little as possible from the student.

You should be fine.

Funny how at the same time the American K-12 (or at least high school) system has the same reputation as the European university system.

Sal--I am interested in going to Spain, either to study through my university or get a work visa and just work. I was wondering how much spanish you mastered before studying abroad? Were the classes taught solely in spanish? What about cost for the schooling through your school? I am very interested in your experience.

Also, does anyone know if it is possible, upon completion of a semester or year abroad of studying, to stay within the country, or just travel around neighboring countries for a while, or does the student HAVE to return stateside at a predetermined date b/c of immigration laws??

Thanks guy.