Studying Abroad

Given the enthusiasm with which the British have bought up cheap flights to Europe or even just booze cruises, you might imagine that the prospect of spending three to 12 months studying at a European university and a grant of around a 1,000 euros would appeal. But no, surprisingly few students ever take up the opportunity offered by schemes such as the UK Socrates-Erasmus Council, which aims to help students study abroad.

Too many students falter at the thought of living for a while in a foreign clime. Most think their foreign language skills aren't good enough. Some are anxious about going to a very large urban university and whether any dud grades will affect their degree. Others have part-time jobs they believe they can't afford to give up. None the less, the cost of living is generally lower in the EU, and the price of a return flight could well turn out to be cheaper than a rail journey home within the UK for the weekend.

Top-up fees shouldn't be an excuse, either: the Student Loans Company offers higher loans for study abroad, and those who spend a fiill academic year abroad may have their fees waived.

Foreign exchanges are widespread at UK universities, where they are an integral part of many degree courses. A year or a semester at an overseas university is obligatory for many doing a modern language degree and for subjects such as international relations or North American studies. For other courses, the time abroad is less of a fixture, but it can add a fascinating dimension to, for example, an archaeology course to study near a prime site in Greece, or a geology course to spend time in Arizona.

Once you're there, the experiences can vary enormously Some find it all a little intense, and perhaps a bit lonely, so it's worth investigating what support the university gives you while you're out there, and making sure you're not simply dumped at the airport with a map drawn on the back of an envelope (unlikely, it has to be said). Others find it less daunting: there are universities in Scandinavia, for example, that teach in English.

The four-year degree with a year abroad will impress employers, of course. You'll have time to become fluent in another language for one thing. On the other hand, it means another year's worth of accumulated debt.

Vast European universities can he tough places to study, particularly for students accustomed to the comforts of a campus. Bureaucracy, patchy libraries and teaching, the lack of effective students' unions and a dearth of accommodation can make them intimidating places. But turn down the chance to live abroad and become fluent in a foreign language? Tu rigoles?

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