Why You Should Study Abroad More than Once

Ah, the old question of, “Can you study abroad more than once?” The short and sweet answer? YES. Studying abroad more than once is not only attainable, it’s super beneficial. It gives you so many ways to grow as a person, explore the world, expand your opportunities, and impress your friends with sha-weeeet Insta stories. 

Bulk up on sweet, sweet knowledge by studying abroad more than once.

If you’ve been abroad before and are dying to go again, this is the sign you’ve been looking for. We’re giving you the “OK” and a giant thumbs up, because our hands are huge, just like your appetite for travel (what?).

The travel bug isn’t really a pest — it’s a handy sidekick. So grab your bug-bud and call your college advisor, because you’re gonna need to do some long-term travel planning for the betterment of your future.

How many times can you study abroad in college?

Soooo, can you study abroad more than once? Or is this some mythical, unicorn-type trick used to lure wanderlusting students into a wistful spiral of travel FOMO? Well, you don’t need to miss out, because it is 110% possible to study abroad more than once.

That being said, there are certain things to consider when you’re thinking about studying abroad more than once. Costs of going abroad for schooling can get a little tricky depending on the country you want to land in. Even if the program has a similar fee to a semester at home, the plane ticket could be a bit of a bummer, if not a deal breaker.

Related: The Average Cost of Study Abroad Programs Around the World – A Study

You should also touch base with your advisor to make sure multiple trips abroad will fulfill your degree requirements. If you plan it right, this could actually work out in your favor! For example, you might focus your search on countries that are best for your degree.

Some of the best programs for marine biology are by the ocean! Other organizations offer degree-specific programs, like Study Business Abroad with CEA. You also have other options to extend your education abroad. There are full year programs that you can extend, there are summer study abroad programs you can tack onto the end of a semester, or internships to sign up for when the school year ends.

But can you study abroad twice? Sure; it just depends on what your goals are. 

Why you SHOULD study abroad twice (or more?)

1. Broaden your career opportunities 

Multiple stints abroad prove to employers that you’re adaptable and courageous.

Study abroad more than once, and your career path turns into a twelve-lane highway; there are so many options! Experience abroad bolsters any resume, but multiple years abroad? That’s sure to make you stand out!

Maybe you’re the kind of person who hears, “How many times can you study abroad in college?” as more of a challenge than a question. Maybe you go every semester! That shows that you’re a risk-taker, internationally-inclined, and culturally aware.

Take control of your future, and shape your career (and your resume) now by studying abroad more than once. 

2. Save money and live bigger abroad

At this point, you may have realized that studying abroad more than once is totally attainable, but is it affordable? As we mentioned before, the costs of studying abroad are not to be ignored. However, there are actually ways to save money while studying abroad. You just have to be strategic about your choices.

There are countless scholarships, travel funding resources, and lists of affordable programs that could help you save money. But can you study abroad twice in a country where rent is in euros? Hmm, depends.

Typically, European countries are a touch more expensive than the U.S., but Thailand is ridiculously affordable. From eating out to adventures in the jungle, you can live it up and stay within a budget abroad — if you head to the right place.

3. You’ll have experiences you can’t get from just one place

Twice the destinations = twice the fun.

Every country has a variety of unique excursions and opportunities for you to explore, and studying abroad more than once gives you a chance to experience them. There are countless specialized programs, natural wonders, cultural monuments, and languages that you just can’t get locally.

There are so many great things to discover, and you shouldn’t have to limit your options to one country. But can you study abroad more than once in one country? Sure! And that would give you a chance to deepen your understanding of a people and a culture. The beauty of studying abroad is that you get to sculpt the experience to best suit you.

4. Gain a global perspective 

Society has been rapidly shifting towards a more interconnected, global way of life, and in order to be successful in an international world, you need to understand it. If you study abroad more than once, not only are you gracing another country with your presence, but you’re dipping into a completely different culture.

With each country you live in and the connections you make, you’re opening your mind to another worldview. Empathy makes the world go ‘round, and how many times you can study abroad in college can set your mind on the right track.

5. Networking that isn’t icky — make friends for life <3 

Networking doesn’t need to be confined to an uncomfortable, stiff-suited, agenda-ruled world. The LinkedIn of global networking is studying abroad! You’ll connect with professors in other countries, befriend students from around the world, and expand your network beyond borders.

Even if you’re not thinking about your experience as a business interaction, every person whose life you touch is a connection that might trickle back and change your life someday. Who opens the door is almost as important as where that door is opened, so networking abroad is the best way to ensure you have a door to look to in the future.

So the answer to “Can you study abroad twice in college?” depends on how ambitious your goals are, who you want to connect with, and where you want to cast that social net.

6. Language exposure and retention

There’s no better way to learn and retain a language than by going where it’s natively spoken.

We’re all thinking it: being bilingual is sexy. Oh, and marketable! If you’re wondering if you can study abroad twice in college and focus on language, you bet your sweet butt you can! This is actually the perfect way to master a language and practice on the daily. 

If you really want to learn Spanish (or perhaps are majoring in it) you can study abroad in a myriad of countries. You could probably do a semester in a different Spanish-speaking nation every year! Study abroad in Spain one semester and soak up the Mediterranean rays, then find Pura Vida in Costa Rica the next. You can even hit up South America if you study abroad in Bolivia. Bo-lieve us, you won’t regret the decision to study abroad more than once.

7. Explore the world before you settle down

Wait, can you study abroad more than once, and be a responsible adult? That’s right, you’re not a lost butterfly who just goes where the wind takes them, you’re planning for your future. Squeeze in as much travel as you can during school so you can write off an amazing adventure abroad as “academic enrichment”.

Then, once you’ve graduated, you can look back at your time as a true global adventurer! Now you can settle down and get a little work under the ol’ belt, and save up money (and vacation days) for your next adventure. Never stop exploring!

Ready to go? Talk to our FREE Online Advisor and get matched with the right program for you!

Studying abroad more than once? Challenge ACCEPTED

The world is waiting. Why NOT study abroad more than once?

Studying abroad more than once is a challenge, but to be fair, a totally attainable one! There are scholarships to be had, funds to raise, and life-changing experience to look forward to. If you’re organized, financially strategic, and adventure-driven, you are the perfect candidate to study abroad as many times as you can.

Study abroad isn’t for everyone, so choosing to do it more than once is going to speak to a certain type of person. If you’ve made it this far, we have an inkling that you are exactly that type of person.

Who are you? You’re someone who has that travel bug-bud sittin’ on their shoulder. Someone who thrives on the unknown of a foreign culture. Someone who is looking to expand their worldview, and deeply understand other cultures. 

Since you are that special someone, people probably question your choices. But the next time someone asks you, “Can you study abroad twice in college? Is it even possible to study abroad more than once?? ARE YOU AN INSANE PERSON?” you’ll know just how to answer them.

Start planning the best study abroad experience of your LIFE