5 Myths
Just like any new experience or opportunity, there are many assumptions and falsehoods (aka lies and misinformation) created about studying abroad. As with anything, once you have the accurate facts, you can make an educated decision about whether it is suited to you and you are suited to it. Which of the following have been your excuse not to study abroad?
Myth #1: Studying abroad is too expensive.
Reality: IIT has various study abroad programs that range in costs. Some programs are very comparable to studying at IIT. Some programs are more expensive and others are less so. There are a variety of ways to pay for studying abroad, including scholarships, financial aid and loans. By planning ahead, you can speak to your family about your financial restrictions, as well as save for your time abroad. If budgeting is a concern, the cost of a program can be factored into choosing the right program for you. The programs listed on our site are IIT-approved, which can allow financial aid to apply to study abroad in certain situations. There are also a number of scholarships set up specifically for studying abroad.
Myth #2: It is necessary to speak a second language to study abroad.
Reality: While some programs do have a language requirement, many programs are taught exclusively in English. Some of these programs are located in countries where English is an official language (e.g. Australia, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom) and some are hosted in countries where English is a secondary language (e.g. Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Italy, Japan, Korea, Sweden, Thailand and Turkey). The program pages will let you know if a specific program is conducted in English.
Myth #3: It is not possible to complete major requirements while abroad.
Reality: The vast majority of IIT students are able to earn credit toward their major while studying abroad. The Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs will work with you and your advisor to choose courses at your host university that will transfer back to IIT, and therefore not delay graduation. By frequently consulting and meeting with academic advisors, students can even study abroad for an entire academic year without affecting their graduation date. In fact, some students study abroad two or three times and still graduate on time.
Myth #4: It is safer to stay in the U.S.
Reality: Most risks faced by students around the world are similar to those in Chicago, which mostly result from living in an urban environment. As your safety is of utmost concern to us, IIT closely monitors our programs and current worldwide news and events, and all programs and cities are thoroughly researched before students are permitted to apply.
Myth #5: It's difficult to get accepted.
Reality: Most of the students who meet the minimum qualifications and complete the application process are accepted to study abroad. We are pro-actively looking to significantly increase the number of students studying abroad, and we’ll work closely with you to find the program that best meets your needs and qualifications. We know how great these programs are and we want as many students as possible to get the opportunity to agree with us.
Last modified: 05/01/2012 18:04:25