Studying abroad is a major highlight of many Stags’ college careers, and a widely anticipated experience for underclassmen and incoming students. Many upperclassmen have expressed their gratitude for their own study abroad experiences, reminiscing on the friends and memories they made around the world. Approximately 500 Fairfield students study abroad each year, whether it be during a short-term break, a semester or an entire year.
According to Global Fairfield, Fairfield students have the opportunity to study abroad in over 25 countries, with more than 50 different program options. Most students study abroad in their junior year, during the fall or spring semester.
Some students, like first-year Dani Taylor, plan to study abroad for a shorter stint in the summer, rather than for a full semester. She discussed her plans to participate in the Drugs and Behavior Field Experience Lab in Galway, Ireland, adding, “I still have to go through the application process and such, but I feel prepared for it…I don’t think I could handle a whole semester, so this seems like the perfect fit for me.”
Although it may seem far away, there are a few measures that first-year students can take to prepare themselves for the future if they are thinking about studying abroad. Recently, Global Fairfield hosted an information session intended to help first-year students navigate planning to study abroad.
Patricia Pivarnik, Associate Director of Global Fairfield, explained, “The reason Global Fairfield is making efforts to inform the first-year students now is because studying abroad takes a lot of planning academically.”
Where and when Stags study abroad is a question of what they are studying. Certain locations and programs are better suited for certain majors and minors. To explore their options, students can refer to Global Fairfield, where they can filter out possible study abroad locations based on their school, course of study, desired country and more.
Once they have filtered their choices, students can learn more about their available options by clicking on the displayed programs. There, students can find the requirements to study there, the courses offered, and the experiences available.
Course planning is a crucial part of preparing for study abroad, which is why it is important for first-year students to be planning ahead. Course registration for the Fall 2025 semester is coming up, which means that students will be picking their classes based on the requirements they still need to fill.
Depending on the courses offered by the study abroad programs in which they are hoping to participate, students can save certain requirements to be filled when they do eventually go abroad.
“Becoming very familiar with your degree requirements here on campus and the coursework offered abroad is very important,” Pivarnik continued. “Studying abroad is a terrific way to enroll in coursework that complements and supplements your major/minor and Magis requirements. The earlier you are familiar with these, the easier it is to plan for the coursework you will enroll in during a future registration…Studying abroad should not interrupt your timeline or goals; it should work collaboratively.”
Another aspect that makes planning ahead imperative is the collaboration between students and their parents or guardians. Students who plan on studying abroad will need a valid passport, a GPA that meets the requirements of their desired program, a completed student visa application and an understanding of how the finances of the program work. Most students apply in the fall of their sophomore year to study abroad, so the deadline is approaching more quickly than first-year students may realize.
First-year students are still just beginning to delve into the process of thinking about study abroad opportunities. There are many factors to consider: where to go, when to go, how much it will cost and what to study while away.
“I am not sure yet if I am going to study abroad,” first-year Riana Verma commented. “I think it would be an incredible experience, but I still have to think about it.”
Verma attended the study abroad information session as well. “The info session answered all of my questions about study abroad,” she said. “I feel like I know a lot more of the logistics I didn’t know before.”
When asked if she had started planning ahead, she said, “I haven’t started yet, but it’s definitely something I’m thinking about! It’s really hard to choose between all of the options.”
Getting a head start on study abroad plans now can be helpful in order to secure the opportunities that students are looking forward to. “Once you study abroad,” Pivarnik said, “all you want to do is go again!”
