So, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I want to study abroad before I finish high school, but I'm not sure how to find the right program. Does anyone have strategies for sifting through all the options? Also, how do you figure out which programs are reputable? Thanks in advance, guys!
It's fantastic that you're looking to expand your horizons by studying abroad before finishing high school! To sift through the options, start by considering what you want to gain from the experience – are you looking to immerse yourself in a new language, experience a particular culture, or perhaps focus on a specific field of study?
Identifying your goals can significantly narrow down your choices, as if you want to improve your Spanish, you immediately eliminate a good number of countries. If you want to improve your skills in a less widely spread language, like Italian, even better!
To figure out which programs are reputable, check if they're affiliated with accredited educational institutions or recognized by international education organizations. You should also reach out directly to the program providers and ask for previous participants' references, as talking directly to people who work for the program or have participated in it can be illuminating.
It's definitely worth contacting your school counselor as well—they might have a list of reputable programs past students have attended. Lastly, to assess the quality and safety of a program, you might want to look into reading reviews or checking if the program has any established emergency protocols and support systems for students abroad.
I hope this helps, and I wish you the best in finding a program that offers you a valuable and enriching experience!
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