As summer (slowly) approaches, many students are beginning to wonder about possible opportunities for the summer, as well as next year. Of these, one major opportunity that many students ponder is the chance to study abroad. Surely, almost every student has had a fantasy or two about spending a semester abroad. In my case, my personal ambition has been to spend some time in Paris, where I would roam the Tuilleries, host baguette and Brie nights with my cool, French friends, and perhaps even write poetry—all while taking classes at Le Sorbonne.

In a program like PCJ, where the focus of our studies often demands us to analyze and consider the actions and perspectives of regions all around the globe, the idea of a study abroad experience seems like the perfect opportunity to expand our learning, so much so that the PCJ Program strongly recommends that its students take advantage of these experiences. Furthermore, our increasingly globalized world increasingly demands international experience for those entering the work force. Study abroad, then, not only complements our learning—it sets us up for success in our careers, too.

However, while the opportunity to study abroad brings many benefits, it can often bring along complications for students trying to make everything fit into their busy schedules. As someone currently weighing my options when it comes to study abroad opportunities, I understand this quite well. After asking PCJ students who have been through the entire process and doing research on my own, I’ve come up with a list of some important points of consideration that, when applied, can help you make the most out of your study abroad experience.

Firstly, I want to clear up one thing: there is no right or wrong way to do study abroad. While some may tell you that you have to go away for a full year, or even a full semester to properly enjoy the study abroad experience, I want to make it clear that this isn’t—or at least shouldn’t—be the case. Everyone’s schedule and needs are different; it’s far more important to pick the program that best complements you, and not just blindly follow whatever the norm is.

On a similar vein, I think it’s very important that you be honest with yourself about the possible complications that study abroad might bring up. In my case, as well as for all PCJ students, spending a year (or even a semester) abroad means doubling up on core courses later on. I’ve asked many students who have done this about their experiences, and while many were able to do it, some also struggled. Being honest with yourself about your ability to perform well with these extra courses is imperative— your study abroad should complement your learning, not make it more difficult and inspire regret. Beyond academics, those involved on clubs and teams on campus have to consider the ramifications on potentially giving up leadership positions within these organizations. Again, these are all things you have to take into account before you decide on your study abroad plan. Being aware of how the experience will affect you, both positively and negatively, will allow you to come up with a plan that will work best for you and avoid regretful situations later.

I ended up making a list of all the pros and cons of study abroad, and ultimately decided that a yearlong or semester-long exchange wouldn’t be the best choice for me. That’s why I decided to consider study abroad during the summer! Not only did this allow me to have it all, but it also allowed me to get credits out of the way so that my course load would be lighter during the scholastic year. UofT has many partnerships with universities all around the world that allow you to earn UofT credits abroad during the summer—just look for the “UofT Summer Abroad” program. Those that are relevant to PCJ can often be counted towards your program requirements, which allows for more flexibility for course load later on. Make sure to check in with the CIE (Centre for International Experience) and the transfer credit office to be sure that UofT will recognize your credits.

Lastly, I think it’s important to prepare a budget for your study abroad adventure, and explore funding opportunities. Not only has the Canadian Dollar’s value plummeted, the costs of studying in another country can add up. For those living at home like myself, you might have to consider residence and food costs for the first time. Additionally, while students who go on exchange during the school year only pay UofT tuition, whereas students who choose to study abroad during the summertime have to consider extra fees. Add up exchange rates between countries, and costs like transportation, textbooks, entertainment and personal expenses, and the cost of study abroad quickly adds up. Fortunately, however, many programs offer scholarship opportunities; either individually or through the CIE. Furthermore, many colleges have bursaries available to students studying abroad. Figuring out what the most comprehensive budget possible, and then exploring your funding options ensures that you’ll be able to have the experience of a lifetime without breaking the bank.

Ultimately, study abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences you can give yourself. And with such a big choice, the mantra I’d do by is failing to plan is planning to fail. By planning ahead and considering all possible factors before you start your journey, you can craft the study abroad that will best suit you.