The Application Process

Once you have decided on a study abroad program, you cannot just simply pay the fee and automatically be accepted to go on the trip. You actually have to fill out an in-depth application for most programs that reveals who you are and why you should be accepted to go on the trip. The NCSU Study Abroad program at NC State requires students to fill out a detailed personal statement as well as an essay.

For the essay section of the study abroad application, I am going to focus on why I have chose to study abroad, what I hope to gain from the experience, and why I have chosen the specific Italy program and location. I am also going to include how the study abroad experience will help achieve my educational goals, will fit into my career plans, and will stimulate my intellectual/personal growth.

For anyone studying abroad, these are really strong points to pinpoint if you are really serious about being accepted into a study abroad program at a university. You want to show the study abroad office that you truly deserve to be picked to go on the program and that you are going for the right reasons. The study abroad office wants to know that you are going to be able to adapt in a foreign environment and be flexible if things do not run as smoothly as planned. For instance, one of the questions on the Florence study abroad application is: "The nature of study abroad programs often entails unexpected changes in schedules and activities as well as changes due to unfamiliar cultural norms. As such, an individual studying abroad should possess patience, the ability to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Thinking about patience, flexibility, and adaptability, describe an example in your life where you demonstrated these qualities and discuss how it might relate to your experience abroad.