USC Study Abroad

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Though studying abroad can be an incredible experience, it is important to be aware of the potential risks students can encounter overseas. Read on for 10 study abroad tips.

Shawny Yoon discusses his experience with the visa application process:



1. Learn from Shawny’s experience -- apply early for your passport and visa. Check with the embassy of your study abroad location for up-to-date visa information and other entry requirements. (Passport and visa information is available here.

2. Learn about the countries that you plan to visit. Make sure to research any problems the country is experiencing that may affect your travel plans.

3. Check for Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, which recommend that U.S. citizens defer travel to a country because of dangerous conditions – safety is always most important.

4. Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, which will make your whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency.

5. Avoid high-risk activities such as bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, and shark diving excursions that may put you in danger. If you choose to participate in such activities, make sure that you have adequate support and insurance.

6. Be aware of the safe and unsafe areas of where you are living and traveling – don’t go into bad neighborhoods and always be more careful at night.

7. Be reachable at all times via cell phone, regular phone or e-mail.

8. Before going abroad, get a physical, complete any foreseeable dental work, and assess your psychological stability. Prepare yourself for the physical and mental challenges abroad.

9. Set a weekly budget and only withdraw that amount of money each week to avoid running out of funds while overseas.

10. Familiarize yourself with the local laws of the countries you will be traveling in. Remember that while you are in a foreign country you are subject to its laws.

(List derived from the State Department, Center for Global Education, STA Travel, and International Student Loans)

The USC Office of Overseas studies has seen tremendous growth in the number of students spending the spring semester abroad, up 42 percent from last year alone.

“We’ve definitely had a big jump in spite of the economic crisis and the dollar at one point being so low against most currencies in the world,” said Elizabeth Williams, advisor for programs in France, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Czech Republic and Greece.

According to Trista Beard, program advisor for Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria and Russia, the study abroad staff assumed that a large number of students would face financial difficulties in studying abroad with the downturn of the economy, rise in unemployment, and credit crunch for students to get loans.

“We did have some students withdraw for financial reasons for this coming spring, but even though things have gotten very tight in the states, the dollar has become very strong against the euro, the pound, the Australia and New Zealand dollar…which makes it very affordable to study abroad,” she said.

Williams attributed the growth to the office’s increased promotions this year, noting that students were especially receptive to the week-long study abroad events that took place in January as opposed to the one-day study abroad fair that the office has hosted in previous years. This year’s study abroad week included major- and region-specific information sessions among other events.

The overseas advisors have also spent more time visiting student dorms, giving presentations in classes, and meeting with departmental advisors to provide students and faculty with more information about overseas studies.

“We’ve really been trying to get the word out to students and breaking misconceptions that students have about ‘oh it’s so difficult to study abroad’ or ‘oh it’s so expensive and I can’t get credit for my major,’ so the more we get the word out about it we think the more we get students to realize that it’s possible,” Williams said.


Peter Hilton, advisor for programs in Spain, Latin America, China, Taiwan, Africa and the Middle East, cited stability in staff and the caliber of incoming USC students as other contributors to the increase in students studying overseas.

“More students coming out of high school just really want to study abroad and that’s something that they want out of the college experience more and more,” he said.

However, some academic departments are more supportive than others of their students spending a semester – or a year – overseas. Many International Relations majors study abroad in addition to many language majors and minors, though some of the science departments including chemistry are less keen on the idea of their students studying overseas.

“The majors going abroad are the ones who have academic advisors and faculty members who are really behind it and who help us organize special info sessions for their major…but there are some departments that are less supportive…they don’t really promote it,” said Williams. “Your academic advisors are the ones that shape the way you’ll be taking your courses over the four years and if they tell you shouldn’t do it most students just leave it there.”

Programs with the largest increase in student interest include Egypt, where 10 students will be spending the spring semester – a number that has increased from an average of 2-3 per year. Additionally, South Africa, New Zealand, and Prague have all seen growth in their numbers –locations the overseas advisors refer to as “off the beaten path.”

“We have more students now that have already traveled to places like Western Europe as opposed to in the past…so they’ve done Europe and now they want to go further a field or off the beaten path somewhere different and not follow the trend of going to Europe,” Hilton said.

This USC study abroad trend reflects the national numbers; according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange published this past November, American students are increasingly seeking non-traditional study abroad destinations including China, India, South Africa, Argentina, and Ecuador. The report, which is sponsored by the U.S. State Department, attributes this increase to the growth in program opportunities and partnerships between universities in the United States and abroad.

Additionally, the report found that the number of Americans studying abroad increased by 8 percent from the 2006/07 academic year, with an increase of close to 150 percent from the previous decade. Europe continues to host the largest number of U.S. students – a trend also reflected at USC – while students electing to study abroad in Asia increased by 20 percent, those going to Africa increased by 19 percent, and those going to Latin America and the Middle East each increased by 7 percent.



Of the USC students studying abroad, only about 25-35 of them spend the entire academic year overseas, said Beard. This number is also reflected in the national averages, as the report found that less than 5 percent of study abroad students spend two or more semesters overseas.

“It’s the consensus around the office that you get so much more out of a year, much more than two semesters worth. I mean the impact is compounded by spending more time there, especially your language skills and just experiencing immersion in the culture,” said Beard. “We don’t ever think enough students go for a year but so many students just can’t fit it in their schedules.”

The overseas studies office cites cultural and language immersion as the two most critical components of the study abroad experience, and accordingly enforces a language requirement for most of their overseas programs.

“Our philosophy is basically that if a student is going to go to the country, they should have an immersive experience and you can’t have an immersive experience if you don’t speak the language,” Williams said. “In terms of the reputation that Americans have abroad with a ‘we know everything and everyone speaks our language’ kind of attitude, it’s just not the kind of thing we want our students to fall into.”

Numbers and percentages can only say so much. The growing interest in studying overseas is a testament to a new kind of USC student -- a student who is curious and inquisitive, interested in expanding their worldview and embracing new cultures, and seeking an adventure. Of the 293 students studying abroad for the Spring 2009 semester, these six students represent an array of regions and locations. Despite their differing motivations for spending a semester overseas, each of these students -- among the many other students studying abroad this spring -- is looking forward to a unique and eye-opening experience.

View the video below for a glimpse into the minds of these six students as they prepare for their semester overseas, or read their individual profiles below to find out more about them and the programs they will be attending.






Nicole Bozorgmir
London, England

Nicole Bozorgmir, a junior who will be attending University College London next semester, has known she wanted to go abroad even before enrolling at USC.

“It was really important to me when I was figuring out where I wanted to go to school that they have a good study abroad program with lots of options,” she said.

She was interested in spending the semester in London because she has family that lives there, though she said that she was open to studying “anywhere in Europe.” She will be primarily taking psychology classes abroad that will count to her major, and she also hopes to take other classes that reflect the English culture.

“I want to take this modern history class because I think it will be interesting to see their view of recent history,” she said. “I have a feeling it’s going to be somewhat more liberal and the nature of the discussions there from what I understand are much more involved in politics and international politics so the classes may be more in depth or more involved than my classes here.”

As a psychology and theater double major, Bozorgmir is excited to attend the theater while in London, and is also looking forward to traveling and visiting her friends throughout Europe.


Shawny Yoon
Athens, Greece

Shawny Yoon, a junior philosophy major, is looking forward to studying in the birthplace of many of the most famous and prolific philosophers – Athens, Greece.

Though he will only be taking one philosophy class while overseas, he is enrolled in related classes such as Classics and Ancient Greek history that will count as major credit as well. He will also be taking a Modern Greek language course.

“A lot of people there speak enough English that if you don’t speak Greek you could get around, but the locals appreciate if you try to speak Greek since it’s their main language,” Yoon said.

Though Yoon anticipates that he will experience cultural differences that may be difficult to overcome at first, he is looking forward to living and traveling in Europe because he’s never been to the region before.

“I’m just excited to be there. I mean I really enjoy my time here but I’ve been here two and a half years now so it will be nice to have a change of setting with new people in a new environment,” he said.


Ashley Ratliff
Cairo, Egypt

Ashley Ratliff is one of the 10 students that will be studying abroad at the American University of Cairo this spring, among many of her peers in her Arabic language courses.

“I wanted to but also needed to continue my study of Arabic for my International Relations major and it’s the only program that USC currently offers where the Arabic language is offered,” she said. [Note: Partly in response to increasing numbers of USC students enrolling in Arabic language courses, the USC Office of Overseas Studies has initiated a new study abroad program in Jordan to begin in Fall 2009.]

As a native Southern Californian attending school at USC, it was really important to Ratliff to have a cultural experience abroad. She is excited to improve her Arabic language skills and see the pyramids, though she is nervous about being a female in Cairo and anticipates that her transition will be more difficult than the male students on the program.

“If you go in there with the expectations that it’s going to be difficult it’s easier to adapt in the first place,” she said.

Despite common misconceptions, it is not necessary for Ratliff to don the traditional Islamic burka while in Cairo, though she said that females do not wear shorts there and usually cover their shoulders.

“If you visit significant mosques where it requires more appropriate or respectful attire it’s easy to cover up. But I’m going to an international school so I don’t think it’s going to be as much of a problem,” Ratliff said.


Lisa Mays
Berlin, Germany

German and Psychology major Lisa Mays will be studying abroad in Berlin next semester, where all of her courses will be taught exclusively in German.

“I’m kind of worried about the classes I’m taking at the local university but I’m also taking some classes at a study abroad center with other German-as-a-second-language students,” Mays said.

Though she said that many people speak English in Germany, she plans to speak only German while she’s there in order to improve her language skills. She has taken five semesters of German at USC and will be attending the program with another student in her language class.

“It’s a big year that anyone is going to Germany at all,” she said. “I feel like it’s going to be even less people in the future because they closed the German department.”

The major was closed earlier this year primarily because of a lack of student interest in the program; Mays is one of six German majors left at the University.

She is looking forward to exploring “the city, the culture, the art, the people, the music, and the nightlife because it never closes.”


Skylar Shephard
Madrid, Spain

Spanish minor Skylar Shephard is looking forward to studying abroad in Madrid next semester in order to improve her language skills.

“I love the Spanish language so I figured the best way to become fluent is to go to a Spanish-speaking country,” she said.

A unique component of Shephard’s overseas experience is her housing – she will be residing in a homestay with a Spanish family, which she is both nervous and excited about at the same time.

“It’s a little scary because after living on your own in college for a while it’s a bit weird to move in with a family, especially one you don’t know,” Shephard said. “But the culture in Spain is very loose and they are very comfortable with one another so I don’t feel like it’s going to be a tense situation and I think we’ll get along well.”

A travel enthusiast, Shephard is looking forward to going places she’s never been before including Italy, France, and Morocco.


Justin Offermann
London, England


Justin Offermann, a junior who will be attending Queen Mary University in London next semester, is interested in pursuing a music industry internship while abroad.

As a music industry major, Offermann is hoping to explore London’s “dense” music scene both through an internship and through DJing at various venues.

“I don’t care to see Big Ben or other tourist locations, I kind of want to go and find some cool coffee shops and meet the locals and interact with them, just get a feel of what their community is all about,” he said. “And as a DJ, I’m excited about their dance music scene…a few of my favorite electronic artists are based out of the UK and I want to see them while I’m out there.”

Offermann had initially been told that the music industry school did not allow their students to study abroad because of the small size and specificity of the program.

“I didn’t know I could go abroad and when I found I could go I was really stoked primarily because USC and LA are pretty cool places but I need to get out of this city,” he said.

Though Queen Mary University does not offer music industry classes, Offermann will be taking other courses that apply to his major including economics, a cinema class, and other classes he finds interesting.

Rachel Resneck and Lauren Freier both studied overseas last spring and said it was one of the best decisions they had ever made. Though they resided in two entirely different countries, their experiences abroad had a large impact on their lives. Continue reading for a snapshot of the their time overseas.

Rachel Resneck
Paris, France



Q: Why did you choose to study abroad in Paris?
A: I had never been to Europe before and I’ve been fascinated with France and its culture my entire life. I’ve been taking French since I was in the 2nd grade and I’ve learned a lot about Paris and the city and I had always wanted to experience it for myself.

Q: What was your most memorable experience while in that location?
A: When my two best friends came to visit. They traveled 8000 miles across the world just to visit me because I missed them and all my friends from Los Angeles so it was really great to see them.

Q: Did you travel while you were there?
A: Yes, I went to London, Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Madrid and Berlin.

Q: What was your favorite travel destination and why?
A: I really liked Florence. It was small enough so that to could walk everywhere. It had a younger crowds, the food was incredible and beautiful.

Q: What aspects of the culture did you particularly like that are different from our American culture?
A: People walk more and I like how people don’t talk on their phones all the time. People interact more.

Q: Why would you recommend studying abroad in Paris to other students?
A: Because when else are you going to be young, have all this freedom, and be able to spend 5 months in one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world?

Q: What advice do you have for students going abroad this spring?
A: To really get to know the city well, to make an effort to know the city you’re in because that’s the only way you can really immerse yourself in the culture and truly experience it and have a real authentic international experience.

Q: What did you wish you knew before studying abroad?
A: I wish I knew that it was not sunny very often in Paris. I wish I was more prepared for the disgusting weather.


Lauren Freier
Prague, Czech Republic




Q: Why did you choose to study abroad in Prague?
A: I liked that it was very central which made it very easy to travel throughout Europe. Most people I had talked to told me that Prague was their favorite city that they’ve ever visited and that made me want to go there too.

Q: What was your favorite part about spending the semester in Prague?
A: All the people that I got to meet and getting to live with a Czech student and learning about what it's like for people our age in a completely different situation.

Q: Where did you travel while you were there?
A: Hungry, Austria, Germany, Italy, Greece, Amsterdam, and France

Q: What was your favorite travel destination and why?
A: Paris because they had really cool fashion and we went on Valentine’s day which was fun and and there was a lot to see there. We took a nighttime cruise on the river on Valentine’s day night. It was beautiful.

Q: What aspects of the culture did you particularly like that are different from our American culture?
A: I liked how casual everything is there. Some people criticize their lack of fashion but I liked it because nobody really cared about anything. People call Prague the poor man’s Paris because they have very cheap beer and cheap food, and the best nightlife in Europe.

Q: What’s the hardest thing about being an international student in another country?
A: The language barrier was a big issue. Also, people’s perceptions of Americans and trying not to live up to being loud and obnoxious because that’s what they expect you to be.

Q: Why would you recommend studying abroad in Prague to other students?
A: As I traveled to different cities throughout Europe I always compared them to Prague to see if I made the right choice and I definitely did. I think Prague has a little bit of everything: amazing sights and a lot of which most people haven’t heard of, they are known for their nightlife which is an obvious perk as student, and it's probably one of the least expensive cities in Europe which is also ideal for students. It's not a giant city but its big enough so you’re never bored and it's small enough so you can get to know the whole city and it feels like home.

Q: What advice do you have for students going abroad this spring?
A: Keep a really open mind; priorities there are a lot different there then here. You will learn a lot more outside of class than in class, more than you would ever expect. Don’t be stupid but go outside your comfort zone, and definitely travel.