Can a Study Abroad Program Help Me Choose a Major?
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Students typically embark on a college study abroad adventure later in their college career, usually in their sophomore or junior years. By this time, many students have already chosen their major and take classes related to their intended degree while on program.
However, with CIEE’s brand new First Year Abroad program, you can take many intro-level college courses that will serve as a foundation for your academic career, no matter what you end up majoring in.
Read on as we discuss how our first year abroad programs can help you choose your major and find what you’re really passionate about!
First Year Abroad Courses
If you’re excited to embark on a first year abroad adventure, we’re sure you’d like a little more information about our first year abroad courses. Each of our college-level intro courses is worth 3-4 credits. Check them out below:
- Languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish
- Arts: Intro to Studio Art, Music Appreciation, and Art History
- Social Sciences: World History, Cultural Geography, and Intro to Psychology
- Business: Principles of Management, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics
- Math: Intro to Statistics, College Algebra, and Calculus
- Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science
- Others: English Composition, Computer Science, Digital Photography, and many more!
We offer robust academic support to really ensure your success while you’re abroad. With our academic advising team and tutors, you’ll quickly and effectively catch on to core concepts like study strategies, research, and time management. Read more about our academic support and class format details.
Not only will these fascinating first year abroad courses help you gain clarity on what subjects interest you academically, but the experiential part (the really fun stuff) will also help.
First Year Abroad Experiential Learning
In addition to your courses, while you’re on program, you’ll engage in at least one CIEE-guided activity per week, participating in workshops, volunteering, and career exploration activities.
Past volunteer opportunities have included:
- Volunteering as a teaching assistant at a local preschool or elementary school in the City of a Hundred Spires, also known as Prague, Czech Republic
- Shadowing professional at top-notch non-profits in inspiring London, England
- Volunteering at local retirement communities, arts organizations, youth centers, and homeless shelters in The Eternal City, Rome, Italy
- Helping at local environmental organizations, farms, and schools in eco-conscious Monteverde, Costa Rica
- Shadowing professionals at marketing, real estate, investing, and finance companies in beautiful Barcelona, Spain
You’ll also have opportunities to do non-guided exploring – see local sites and attractions, discover your new favorite restaurants and cafes, and more. Just imagine visiting some of the world’s most renowned attractions like:
- The politically-important Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany
- The historic Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Kyoto, Japan’s Fushimi Inari Shrine, an ancient temple
- The 12th century Hassan Tower in Rabat, Morocco
CIEE First Year Abroad is all about learning inside the classroom and outside and applying those concepts to the world around you. Really, that’s the whole point: to absorb a ton of new information in various ways and make the world a better place.
And while you’re doing all that, you’re going to make a ton of self-discoveries, including pinpointing your interests and ultimately, helping you decide what you want to major in and possibly plan for a fulfilling career.
Find your passions today with CIEE First Year Abroad!