Freshman Semester Abroad

Studying abroad during the first year of university is an opportunity many students jump at. Not only does it develop cultural awareness early on, it’s a gateway to further education abroad during the rest a student’s higher education career.

Europe

freshman abroad semester

study abroad

A freshman semester is a highly memorable, character-building experience.

For educators, it is satisfying to watch a student who didn’t even own a passport, return home months later with a keen cultural awareness and newfound sense of global citizenship.

Our Freshman Study Abroad program is tailor-made to the needs of the home institution. In the visiting university, freshman students typically take five to six modules or classes per semester, earning potentially up to 30 ECTS credits/or 12-15 US credits.

Academic Departments and Study Abroad Offices determine whether students can enrol in any courses across the host-university, or have a ‘stream’ or choose from, such as Humanities, Engineering, Science or Health.

Living and studying overseas early in a student’s life can reshape their educational path. It often proves to be a powerful motivator for students to focus and apply themselves for the remainder of their degree.

Students will have academic requirements similar to their home-institution such as examinations at the end of the semester (December and May), and/or project work and assignments.

For this program, we work with some of the best universities and institutes of higher learning in Europe, that we have vetted and chosen with care. See our case study on Dublin City University below.

At A Glance

Freshman Semester Abroad - Europe

Start Date

Semester start date by University partner

Duration

Semester

Apply By

12 months prior to programme

Fees

Based on proposal

What's included?

Airfare, mandatory health insurance, visa fees, some meals, and spending money aren’t typically included.

Support on the programme

Programmes are designed with great attention to the needs of first year students. The programme’s tight structure and high level of support creates a safe, welcoming and secure environment for young students. Learn International staff and the host-institution support students in-person and also, remotely.

Students can be met at the airport by Learn International Coordinators and the visiting university staff. Orientation lasts several days as students are welcomed, given a tour and welcome pack. Advisors from the international office of the visiting university are welcome and be a part of the orientation week. Advisors from Learn International are also on-site for the first two weeks, offering local knowledge and advice. Plus, support with obtaining student visas with the local immigration office and host institution.

Of course there is a high level of on-going support from members of the Learn International team who visit or contact students remotely, and there are contacts available for students to call 24/7 in case of emergency.

Accommodation and Meals

Students are based in safe, comfortable living spaces that are convenient to campus. Typically homestays are available for this program but on-campus or nearby student accommodation is also an option.

On our current programme in DCU, homestay accommodation was particularly popular. First year students love the cultural immersion, local knowledge and warm welcome that homestay families provide. Students also get to experience local cuisine as the host family provides breakfast and dinner.

Homestay families are fully vetted and pre-screened by Learn International. We match families and students after students fill out a comprehensive questionnaire where they outline their ideal host family. Additionally, the LI team makes regular visits to families and students during the semester.

Excursions and Cultural Programme

Getting out of the classroom and seeing as much of their host country as they can is essential for freshman. Our fully supervised excursions take first year students to visit local sites, organisations, education institutions, and working farms and businesses that are not usually open to the public. This industry and educational visits are chosen to complement academic goals.

Visitor attractions of great cultural interest and areas of outstanding natural beauty are also on the itinerary. The number of excursions is determined by home institution during the design of the programme.

Immigration and Visas

Some aspects of the trip are best handed by the individual, so our programs do not typically include flights, health insurance or visas.

Of course we will provide detailed instructions and advice on all these elements and will be available to answer any questions throughout the process.

Case Study - George Mason University

In January 2019, George Mason University (GMU) brought a group of first year students through Learn International to study and live abroad in Ireland for the spring semester.

GMU chose Dublin City University (DCU) for its reputation of academic excellence, research and innovation. It is also known for its international outlook. Each year DCU welcomes 2,300+ international students of over 109 nationalities – almost 20% of the student population. DCU is ranked as of the best young universities in the world by the Times Higher Education’s Top 100 Under 50.

The program allowed students to satisfy their freshman core requirements, while also taking advantage of DCU’s diverse ranges of modules including engineering, science and health.

Students stayed with homestay families living close to campus. The families, DCU international office staff and Learn International staff met students at the airport on arrival.

group of students stand in anticipation at an office door

Next Steps

If you’re interested in developing a Freshman Semester Abroad Programme with us, don’t hesitate to reach out. A member of our program development team will arrange a call and get to know you and institution’s needs.

We will offer a tailor-made and industry-specific solution for your curriculum, detailing how it will meet your educational objectives.

"Studying abroad in Dublin has been a once in a lifetime thing. There are always the ideas that come from dreams as to what will be, but what we can not dream is the experiences that are to come. No one can predict the friends made along the way, the shock at difference in cultures, or even the beauty of the country side. The experience of actually submerging yourself into something and somewhere entirely new opens the mind to view the world in a way that had never previously been possible, and being able to study while doing this makes it all the better. I won’t lie, in the beginning I had a lot of anxieties and worries surrounding the idea of actually studying abroad, but at this point I can honestly say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Hailey FalkFreshman Abroad Semester, George Mason Unviersity, 2019