Studying abroad gives a young person the best of two worlds. You get all the benefits of being a tourist, but are immersed in an authentic foreign environment on a daily basis. By studying abroad, you can have the chance to live in another country with other students from around the country. Unlike solo tourists, you have a supportive network to help guide you in the unfamiliar environment. But you also receive a new kind of independence - the chance to discover previously unknown corners of the globe - and your true potential.

And let’s not forget schoolwork! Who wouldn’t want to visit a foreign country and bring back some credits along with those souvenirs? Need some extra electives to graduate or complete a double major? Itching to leave your boring campus for greener pastures for a month or two? Want to have a unique summer that consists of more than a trip to the beach? Studying abroad may be right for you.

So you’ve decided to study abroad. Here comes the hard part: you have to pick a company. Here are some guidelines:

1. Ask your advisor/study abroad office about options. You never know what’s available until you ask questions! Where have previous students studied? How did they do it? Can the school assist financially? Will the credits transfer smoothly?

2. Surf the web! Student Universe and Studyabroad.com, suprisingly enough, are great places to start.

3. Decide on the country and duration of your stay. The most popular destinations are in Western Europe (France, England, Italy, Germany, Spain) - if you want to study in one of these countries, you will have plenty of options to choose from, but the competition may be fiercer.

Do you want to study in a bustling cosmopolitan capital? Or, would you be more comfortable in a small hill town? Something in the middle? Perhaps a midsized city will do the trick.

How long can you afford to be away from home? Programs range from two weeks to a school year. If your major(s) require courses that cannot be completed abroad, or if you’re strapped for cash, consider a summer study program.

4. Check out websites of study abroad programs. See what each has to offer. Different programs include different amenities. Some options may vary depending on duration and city. Are homestays available? Will you be able to stay in apartment? Are meals included in the price? Which ones? Is there airport pickup? Do they provide international health insurance? Are excursions to surrounding areas included? Will they provide a mobile phone or a phone card? Your parents will want to hear from you!

5. Investigate the partner overseas school. These days, everything important has a website, so put that computer to work. What courses do they offer? Will you have to take a placement test?

6. Pick up the phone! Call the prospective study abroad providers….mutiple times - until they remember your name. Ask them questions about past students, how to obtain a student visa (chances are you’ll need one), anything at all. Ask for a brochure.

7. Show them your money - but only after comparing prices and features. Before I studied abroad, I sat down with my mother with a side-by-side comparison of my top two companies. The price is important of course, but make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Get the most bang for your buck. You’ll need that extra money for weekend trips and souvenirs.