Antônio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva

At Dartmouth, over half of the student body will study abroad at least once, and some—like me—will even do it more than once! The opportunities are endless and include transfer terms, Language Study Abroad (LSA and LSA+ for more advanced classes), Foreign Study Programs (FSPs), exchanges, and internships or fellowships abroad. Both my programs were FSPs—meaning that I dedicated my time fully to classes within the organizing department— but many of my friends have been to either an LSA or an LSA+, where they were fully immersed in a city where their target language was spoken. Other opportunities, like exchanges and internships, are often organised independently by the student, who can then request funding through one of Dartmouth's many resources.

To be able to attend two FSPs, I had to think ahead of all my major and degree requirements. Would the classes I take abroad count towards my major? Would it fulfill any of my degree distributive requirements? It is easy to feel overwhelmed with the possibilities, but one has to be realistic when applying to an off-campus program, which is easy, since most of the time you can check what classes will be offered at your host institution, making planning much easier.

One of my fears of spending a term abroad was the financial uncertainty of not being able to work on campus—something I do every term I'm in Hanover. While my financial aid at Dartmouth is really generous, most of my pocket money comes from hours worked around here, either as a research assistant, a Spanish apprentice teacher, or as a blogger for the Admissions Office. Thankfully, however, my financial aid package has always been enough that, when transposed to the abroad programs, it would still offset most of my personal expenses, such as flights. So, in summary: take your expenses into account, but do not worry too much, as Dartmouth often has options to help you out!

Studying abroad offers you an excellent opportunity to actually get to know your professors. Typically, for FSPs and LSAs, there will always be at least one Dartmouth faculty members accompanying your group, and often also teaching at least one of your courses. Having them around is definitely a privilege, as it allows you to bond over experiences that take place outside of the classroom—meaning, you are not limited to talking about the lecture topic. I feel like I got to learn about my professors in both my programs—their journeys to Dartmouth, their hobbies, and other academic interests—which I highly appreciate as someone interested in pursuing a career in academia as well. 

When abroad, especially if taking part in a larger Dartmouth program, it can be easy to isolate yourself into only hanging out with your own Dartmouth bubble. But the fact you're there—in this unique, distant location—with your friends from home does not mean you have to shut yourself from other opportunities. I always tried my best to explore the region I was in, even if just by myself. When else will you have the chance to visit these places? Try and take as much advantage of it as you can!