Semester Abroad or Year Abroad? Which One Is Better?
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The age-old study abroad question: should I study abroad for a semester or year? And while both are great options, the answer really depends on the individual.
Let’s take a closer look at whether a semester abroad or a year abroad is the right choice for you. And again, no matter which program you choose, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime.
What’s the Difference?
A semester abroad is just like it sounds: a study abroad program that lasts the entirety of a standard school semester, which is traditionally about 15 weeks. For CIEE, we consider 12-week programs as semester abroad programs, too. These shorter programs are popular study abroad choices.
Just like a semester abroad, year abroad is a study abroad program that lasts the entirety of a standard school year, which is typically about 30–34 weeks. Depending on which CIEE study abroad program you’re interested in, you can combine different semester abroad programs to make up one school year abroad.
The good news is that CIEE offers tons of study abroad programs that range in length – from four-week college study abroad programs to year-long adventures for your first year of college; you’ll find a program that works best for you.
Some things to consider when deciding how long to study abroad:
- Cost: Determine what’s realistic for your specific circumstances when it comes to paying for study abroad.
- Personal availability: Take a close look at your calendar; do you have events that you can’t miss during parts of the year? Are there any appointments or plans (like a wedding or graduation ceremony) that you will likely attend?
- Academic goals: Depending on where you are in your school journey, make sure your study abroad program aligns with your goals.
We’ll help you decide the right amount of time to study abroad with some of our pros and cons below!
Your Semester-Long Options
CIEE has many semester abroad opportunities to fit your specific needs. And, as someone who has recently graduated high school, you’re likely looking at two study abroad opportunities: CIEE Gap Year Abroad and CIEE First Year Abroad.
CIEE Gap Year Abroad programs allow you to dive deep into language learning and explore incredible international cities. While you’ll still be busy exploring global wonders during CIEE First Year Abroad, you’ll actually be starting college while on program and earning your initial college credits.
Read More: The Differences Between Gap Year and First Year Abroad
If you’re interested in semester abroad options, you’re in luck! Both CIEE Gap Year Abroad and First Year Abroad offer semester-long program choices. Let’s look at the pros and cons of this shorter-term option.
Pro #1: It’s less expensive.
As a shorter program, semester abroad options are less expensive than year-long programs. It’s important to discuss what’s financially feasible with your parents or guardians or anyone else who may be supporting you.
You have financial aid options as an enrolled student at Dean College during a first year abroad program. While gap year abroad programs don’t include this, there are other CIEE programs and ways to fund your study abroad adventure!
These include:
- CIEE Discounts: Early Bird Discount, Refer-a-Friend Rewards, Alumni Rewards
- Personal fundraising Opportunities: Babysit, pet sit, host a yard sale or bake sale, help a local business, and more
Read More: Funding for First Year Abroad
And if you have any questions, we're always available to answer them!
Pro #2: You’ll still have plenty of time to explore.
Don’t get us wrong – a semester abroad program still provides you with plenty of time to explore. Plus, each of our study abroad programs has built-in cultural excursions on top of your own adventures; 12-15 weeks will provide ample opportunity to visit historical sites, discover museums, and find your new favorite dish at a beloved restaurant or café.
Keep in mind that your time to explore also slightly depends on your program of choice: CIEE Gap Year Abroad or CIEE First Year Abroad. With less structured class time during a gap year program, you might find you have more opportunity to check out your new surroundings during a semester abroad with a gap year program than you would during a semester abroad with a first year abroad program.
A study abroad program is truly what you make of it, no matter how long you decide to go for. If you want to make the most of it, you will.
Con #1: Less time to deepen language skills.
You’ll undoubtedly dive deep into different cultures and languages during a semester abroad program. However, you likely won’t hone your language skills as fully as you would during an entire school year abroad.
Immersing yourself in a language is one of the fastest ways to learn a new language. After all, you don’t have much choice other than to learn it! So, the more time you spend surrounded by another language, the more deeply you understand it.
Con #2: You might want more time with new friends.
A study abroad program is an opportunity to make deep connections with new friends. It’s not every day that you go on a once-and-a-lifetime adventure with a group of your peers! These types of experiences propel friendships and relationships in the best way.
With a shorter study abroad option, you might be wishing you had another semester or even just a few more weeks with your new friends. The good news is you can always stay connected after your program – phone calls, texts, Facetimes, and keeping up on social media are truly just a few clicks away. But keep in mind when comparing year abroad programs and semester abroad programs, the shorter choice means less time with your new friends.
Your Year Abroad Options
If you’re a recent high school graduate, you’re in luck with both CIEE Gap Year Abroad and First Year Abroad! You can combine two semesters to make up one whole academic school year abroad in both programs.
Pro #1: Explore more.
One of the best advantages of year-long study abroad programs is simply having more time. More time to adventure, more time with friends, more time to dive deep into other cultures and languages, and more time to truly find your interests and passions abroad.
With CIEE First Year Abroad, you can also combine different semester programs to explore additional international cities and unique cultures. Imagine your first semester exploring teahouses and sanctuaries in Kyoto, and your next semester diving deep into the theater scene of London.
If you’re passionate about exploring the world and know that you want to take your time doing it, a year abroad is your best bet.
Pro #2: Deepen your new skills.
You’re bound to develop an incredible skill set during a school year abroad. Your problem-solving skills, intercultural communication skills, and language learning skills (among others) will be significantly improved.
When you study abroad, you have to deal with a bit of “figuring it out.” While CIEE staff will always be available to support you, going abroad requires a bit of growing up and figuring it out as you go – from navigating new transportation systems and currency rates at the grocery store to communicating with others from different cultures and in various languages, you’ll develop new skills while abroad without even realizing it.
And when you spend a whole school year abroad doing it, you’ll deepen these new abilities, which will help you in your academic career, professional career, and beyond. You’ll return to the States a whole new person (for the better)!
Read More: 10 Benefits of Studying Abroad for a Year
Con #1: You’ll miss out on events back home.
While you’ll have the best time, there’s no denying that a year abroad is a significant amount of time away from home.
You’re bound to miss out on certain things like birthdays, holidays, events on campus, and more. While it may seem obvious, missing out on some important milestones back home may be more complicated than it seems.
Stay in touch with your loved ones and connect with them on those days that might be a more significant than others. Keeping everyone up to date on your travels and adventures abroad will help them while they’re missing you, too.
Con #2: You might experience homesickness.
Being away from home, or even being away from surroundings that you’re used to for an extended period, can be challenging. That coupled with being in a new country and possibly experiencing a bit of culture shock, can bring feelings of homesickness to the surface.
It’s completely normal to experience homesickness while abroad; in fact, others around you are likely feeling it, too. It’s something to keep in mind when deciding between studying abroad for a semester or year.
Here are a few things to help you manage these feelings while still enjoying this incredible experience:
- Stay in touch with your family and friends: Make sure to download an app like WhatsApp so you can text and video chat with your friends and family frequently. You can even go old school and write letters and send postcards – your people back home will be happy to hear about your international updates and snail mail can be a welcome surprise!
- Keep exploring: Sometimes, the best way to overcome homesick feelings is to get outdoors and do some good old-fashioned exploring. Step out of your comfort zone and visit a new café, take photos of your new favorite coastline or monument, or just take a walk to interesting places, like public parks, theaters, and more. Continuing to explore will serve as a refresh and a reminder of all the new opportunities yet to discover.
- Lean on your resources: Talk with your friends or CIEE support staff if you’re feeling homesick. It’s likely that your friends on the trip will feel similarly sometimes. Talking about it can help.
Now, when asking, should I study abroad for a semester or year, you have some compelling reasons for both. And now you also know why either option, depending on your needs and goals, promises an astonishing experience. Happy exploring!