STEM and Studying Abroad
Posted in News Story | Tagged news story, Semester Program, STEM
Don’t want to take our word for it? Check out the testimonies of STEM study abroad students in years past. COL ‘20 graduates Lilia Darrow and Sean Melville, who studied Biology and Mathematics/Economics respectively, can both attest to not only the possibility of studying abroad as STEM students, but also the advantages of doing so. Check out our post from 2019 to learn more about their experiences. Lilia studied at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and Sean at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but the whole world is truly a STEM students’ oyster.
STEM students who are considering English-speaking programs, like the programs Lilia and Sean participated in, should consider expanding their horizons beyond Europe and studying “Down Under.” The University of Sydney is the oldest university in Australia and offers a wide range of degree programs. Moreover, the University of Melbourne, located in southeastern Australia, is the top-ranked research university in Australia. UniMelb offers more than 1,300 courses in over 100 disciplines. Typically, the University of Melbourne opens up new sections of courses if they fill, making degree progression more secure and assured. Students can pursue a similarly top-quality education across the Tasman Sea at the University of Otago in New Zealand. The university, founded in 1869 as New Zealand’s first, is located on a beautiful campus in a quintessential college town. It not only offers a variety of STEM courses but also terrific access to the island through its tramping (hiking) clubs and other excursions the university offers.
If Australia and New Zealand aren’t calling to you, rest-assured—there are plenty of other options. For example, the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom offers a plethora of courses suitable to STEM students. Located in a city frequently rated UK’s “Best City to Live In,” the university has opened almost all of its course catalog to visiting students, with course availability in biology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science. Nearly 6,000 miles from Bristol, students can study in the heart of Tokyo at Waseda University, an internationally renowned research institution. International students have the opportunity to take courses at the Waseda Faculty of Advanced Science and Engineering, which offers a range of courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and computer science, all taught in English.
While all aforementioned programs are tailored to English-speaking students, STEM students wishing to embark on a language immersion adventure can certainly do so. French-speaking students, for one, might consider the Geneva Physics Program overseen by Boston University, which allows students to directly enroll at the University of Geneva with specialized tutorials and a practicum at the CERN. Additionally, SIT, a third party study abroad provider, offers themed programs in various locations around the world–some in English and others in the host country’s language. Spanish-speaking students might consider programs like SIT Argentina: People, Environment, and Climate Change in Patagonia and Antarctica or SIT Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation. Each student participating in an SIT program will complete the hallmark Independent Study Project (ISP), making SIT great for students interested in field work, research, and a very involved study abroad experience.
These, however, are only a few highlighted programs for STEM students. Check out our STEM Abroad flyer or attend a Study Abroad 101 to learn more about programs that might be right for you!
