Do you speak another language, or would you like to learn one?

There’s no better way to learn a language than by studying abroad. From Spanish, French, and Italian to Mandarin, Japanese, and Arabic, many programs are designed to help improve your language skills, no matter your current level of fluency.

Some programs are fully immersive, meaning you will primarily speak the host language, while others have no language requirement and include language courses as part of the overall curriculum.

If language learning is one of your main priorities for studying abroad, consider choosing a program that lasts at least a month and includes opportunities to interact with local people. These everyday conversations can help you build confidence, strengthen your skills, and become more comfortable using the language in real-world situations.

Do you have a location in mind?

If you can narrow your options down to a country, or even a continent, you’ve already taken an important step toward focusing your search.
Need to narrow it down further? Think about what matters most to you and the kind of experience you want to have.

• Outdoor adventures?

• Arts and culture?

• Warm, sunny weather?

• Incredible food?

• A city or rural setting?

• Dormitory, homestay, or apartment living?

Do you want a short two-week experience, or would you prefer to study abroad for a summer, a full semester, or an academic year?

Not sure? Consider these factors:

• How much time can you spend abroad without missing classes you need for graduation?

• Do you have a job that you need to keep in order to support your studies?

• Would your family be comfortable with you staying overseas for a longer period of time?

• Do you have enough funding from various sources to support a longer-term study abroad experience?

• Are you comfortable with the idea of being away from home and family for a longer period of time?

• What are your goals? Could they be achieved through a two-week trip with a faculty member and a group of Lyon students, or would you benefit from a longer period of time to get to know a new country, its people, and its language?

• Are you, or do you want to become, more self-sufficient? Would you like to learn how to handle challenges on your own, or would you prefer a program that offers more support?

• If you let this opportunity to study abroad pass by, are you likely to have another chance in the future?
  

Do you have requirements you need to fulfill for graduation?

Some study abroad programs focus on specific academic disciplines, while others are more general in scope. You can make your search a little easier by saving some of your general education requirements for study abroad, since it is often easier to find overseas courses in subjects such as language, art, and history.

However, some of Lyon’s newer study abroad sites, such as the Vesuvian Institute in Italy, also offer opportunities to study specific aspects of majors like computer science within a local context. These programs may also provide opportunities to earn up to six Lyon credits in courses taught by Lyon faculty.

Want more details?

Just as each of our programs is unique, so is your study abroad experience. Call 870-307-7229, email international@lyon.edu, or visit the Office of International Education in Lyon 218 to learn more about the possibilities.

You can also ask about connecting with students who have participated in the programs you’re interested in. Hearing directly from past participants can give you a better sense of what to expect and help you decide which experience is right for you.