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Have you already studied abroad and find yourself itching do it all over again? Or maybe you can’t decide between two incredible destinations and are wondering if it’s possible to study abroad twice. Many college students find the experience of living in another country, connecting with people from around the world, and learning in a completely different environment so rewarding that they decide to study abroad multiple times. The good news? You can study abroad more than once. As long as your university and academic track allow it, there’s no limit to how many times you can go abroad—whether that’s once, twice, or even ten times!
Why Study Abroad More Than Once?
Studying abroad more than once opens the door to even more growth, exploration, and connection—it’s an opportunity to discover multiple regions of the world or return to a favorite destination you’ve already come to love.
When you study abroad multiple times, you can grow a robust network spanning numerous countries and build a global perspective while you travel the world. Plus, you can learn about more local methodologies and points of view related to your field of study.
While some people choose to study abroad more than once in multiple destinations, others return to the same place again and again. Doing so provides the opportunity to get to know the local culture in a deeper, more meaningful way and build stronger, life-long connections.
Discover how you can make your dream of studying abroad multiple times a reality with AIFS Abroad!
1. Start Early
One of the best ways to ensure you’re eligible to study abroad more than once is to start planning early. Speak with your academic advisor about your plans, goals, and aspirations. They can review your university and academic requirements with you and give you a better idea of your options. Also, reviewing these requirements early will ensure you don’t get blindsided by anything that prevents you from studying abroad later on.
Along with planning early, consider studying abroad early. Studying abroad as an underclassman (or even before you start college) can give you more time to study abroad again later on in your academic career.
“I studied abroad once during my sophomore year and once during my junior year and both times I went to Limerick, Ireland, to the University of Limerick. My major is biology, and the University of Limerick is amazing… for STEM majors.”—Mustafa, who studied abroad in Limerick, Ireland
2. Choose Programs that Advance Your Degree
Using your study abroad program as an opportunity to complete academic requirements and advance your degree is an excellent way to ensure you can study abroad more than once—especially if you have strict requirements you need to complete in order to graduate. While not every student must take courses that complete specific academic requirements, many others do. Here are two main ways you can choose a study abroad program that advances your degree:
- Take GenEd courses: AIFS Abroad programs offer a wide range of courses, many of which may fulfill your General Education (GenEd) requirements, so you can check off university requirements while you study abroad!
- Take degree-specific courses: You can also enroll in study abroad courses that count toward your major or minor. This is an excellent option for students with specific coursework needed for their degree.
“My language skills improved so much, but it didn’t always feel like it when I was in the middle of the semester. Towards the end, I realized how much my skills had improved since my first few classes… I feel like it gave my language degrees some level of legitimacy because I lived there for long enough to really test my abilities.” —Annaliese, French language and Government major who studied abroad in Berlin, Germany & Grenoble, France
3. Consider Short-Term Programs
If academic requirements or athletic obligations prevent you from studying abroad during the fall or spring semester, you should consider short-term study abroad programs that are available during and outside of the typical school year. Going on short-term programs can allow you to study abroad multiple times without missing out on your regular semester courses or other on-campus commitments. Plus, they’re a great way to earn more school credit! AIFS Abroad offers the following short-term programs:
“I chose the AIFS Abroad [January Term program] in Rome because a course there fulfilled my final theology requirement at my university. This would be my second time studying with AIFS, so I already knew I would love this program due to my previous incredible experiences with my first time abroad.”—Hannah, an international business major who studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, in the spring semester and Rome, Italy, during January Term.
4. Choose Back-to-Back Programs
One great way to study abroad two or more times (and to simultaneously make the most of your flights and school breaks!) is to choose back-to-back study abroad programs. This option allows you to start another program right after the previous one ends. Here are just a few examples of possible back-to-back study abroad combinations:
- Spring semester + May Term + Summer
- May Term + Summer + Fall semester
- January Term + Spring semester
- May Term + Summer
Studying abroad with consecutive programs like these (or other combinations) give you the chance to really get to know a particular program destination or to study abroad in multiple cities around the world!
5. Use Financial Aid and Apply for Scholarships and Grants
Are cost concerns keeping you from studying abroad more than once? At AIFS Abroad, we understand that finances can be a barrier to studying abroad. That’s why, in addition to accepting financial aid, AIFS Abroad offers scholarships and grants that can help ease the financial burden of studying or interning abroad.
If you study abroad with AIFS Abroad more than once, you’ll be automatically eligible to receive at least one grant. That’s because anyone who has previously participated in one of our programs is eligible for the Go Abroad Again with AIFS Abroad Grant, allowing you to save more when you study or intern abroad multiple times!
In addition to applying for our scholarships and grants, you should speak with your financial aid office at your home university to learn more about financing your study abroad program.
“I would just like to say that studying abroad was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I learned so much and I constantly tear up and get bittersweet feelings when I think back or look at pictures… Without [AIFS Abroad], I would not have had the same experience.”—Gabriela, a biomedical science major and Spanish language minor who studied abroad in Valencia, Spain, & Florence, Italy.
Make the most of your experience—study abroad multiple times with AIFS Abroad!
Studying abroad multiple times is an ideal way to travel the world and explore new cultures—all while you earn credit towards your degree. If you’re worried about balancing your travel dreams with your academic goals, check out our wide selection of courses and programs, which can fulfill dozens of major, minor, and GenEd requirements. Study abroad once with AIFS Abroad, and you’ll discover why so many students return to our programs again and again.
