Question 1

introduction

Accepted Answer

The summer has come to a close and that can only mean one thing&mdash;it&rsquo;s almost time to get back to class! Normally, this news would be greeted with a sense of despair, but this year could be different; why not take up a winter term study abroad program? Whether you want to enjoy some sunshine for just a bit longer, or you want to make the most of some picturesque snowy scenes, winter programs for study abroad are bound to make the new school year much more exciting.

Question 2

Locations

Accepted Answer

Your preferred location is likely to depend on what kind of experiences you are looking for when studying, both academic and personal&mdash;school isn&rsquo;t just about book-learning, right? From cozying up in a pub to spending your weekends on the ski-slopes, or alternatively, extending your summer activities and spending Christmas on the beach, traveling to study makes it all possible. Whether you&rsquo;re looking to study for the whole semester or are just after a winter break study abroad opportunity, there are plenty of countries and programs to choose from.
England. Renowned for being home to some of the world&rsquo;s most prestigious educational institutions, England is the perfect location for academics who want to study abroad in winter. However, it has plenty to see and do outside of school. London is the first iconic sight that springs to mind for visitors to England, and with good reason. Packed with museums, galleries, and cultural spots (think Buckingham Palace, the West End Theater, and Westminster Abbey), one semester might not be enough to explore it all! 
London is also not the only city worth a visit, or the only place that hosts students. Cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham also have a large student population, great schools and universities, and their fair share of cultural happenings. Wherever in England you choose to look at study abroad winter programs, be sure to check out each city&rsquo;s German-style Christmas market, enjoy the cozy atmosphere in a local pub in the evening, and make the most of an opportunity to feel fancy with an afternoon tea.
Spain. With cultural hotspots like Madrid and Barcelona, Spain ought to be on every traveler&rsquo;s bucket list, and studying for the winter is a great way to soak up some of Spain&rsquo;s sunny culture. With many educational institutions becoming more international, entire courses in a range of subjects can be found in English. Alternatively, students can brush up on their Spanish or take the plunge and learn one of Spain&rsquo;s lesser-known languages, like Catalan or Basque.
Students interested in history, art, and politics may also benefit from studying in Spain, which has produced some of the world&rsquo;s most inspirational artists (Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Joan Miro, to name a few) and is continuously developing politically. Beat the summer heat and enjoy Spain&rsquo;s winter traditions, from the festival of La Merce in Barcelona to countrywide Christmas and New Year activities.
Barbados. When thinking of the winter season, white, sandy beaches, lush, swaying palm trees, and the calming crash of waves seem to be a distant memory. So what if you&rsquo;re not ready to wave goodbye to the summer sun just yet?
The beautiful caribbean island of Barbados is an unexpected winter term study abroad option! Most of the summer&rsquo;s tourists will have long returned home, giving students the chance to experience day-to-day life in Barbados and to integrate with the local community. Although famed for it&rsquo;s white-sand beaches and crystal-clear oceans, Barbados has so much more to offer all year round, including buzzing nightlife, delicious local food and a warm and welcoming local population.

Question 3

Popular Subjects

Accepted Answer

College or university students are likely to be able to continue studying their major or minor subject when undertaking a winter study abroad program. They could also look into studying a particular speciality area relating to their course in order to gain a deeper insight. Alternatively, students could choose to study something completely new, testing the waters with a short-term study placement.
Foreign Language. Although the winter season might not seem long enough to pick up a foreign language, a short-term study opportunity could be the perfect way to get started! Or, perhaps you already know a couple of words and want to brush up on your skills. What better way than to study abroad, take an intensive language course, and have the chance to use it every day?
Integration is a fantastic way to rapidly improve foreign language skills. Maybe you didn&rsquo;t want to go back home after your summer vacation and were inspired by the language and culture of another country&mdash;why not look into studying for the winter? Want to see a completely new place, get the school year off to a flying start, and learn a useful new skill? Foreign language study could be for you.
International Relations. For students interested in international relations and politics, studying abroad is a priceless experience. Seeing another culture and experiencing the political landscape firsthand adds an extra dimension to your studies and allows for a more empathetic and knowledgeable approach. Studying international relations for the winter would be a great way to kick off a new school or college year, and reflecting upon that first semester is sure to keep your motivation peaked for the rest of the year!
Interreligious and Interethnic Relations. On the same wavelength as international relations, interreligious and interethnic relations is another avenue for students interested in international culture to explore. This kind of study abroad program would be a particularly interesting way to learn about another religion or ethnicity, and how life is in a country that follows one or more different beliefs. The winter season would be a particularly interesting time to study this subject abroad, as it would allow students to see various end-of-year festivals and celebrations, whether religious or secular, undoubtedly very different to celebrations in their home country.

Question 4

Go Abroad’s Inside Scoop

Accepted Answer

Studying abroad for the winter is sure to offer plenty of exciting academic and cultural opportunities for students. It gives adventurous students the chance to approach their subject in a whole new way, learning a new perspective as well as deepening their knowledge, picking up new skills and getting a step ahead in their studies. Whilst studying at home is great for being guided in the right direction, studying abroad can open up doors that you might never have thought of before.
Students should make a plan regarding how to make the most of what could be a short frame of time studying abroad. The winter term will pass very fast, with many countries having a Christmas vacation from school or college. Whilst this gives potentially homesick students the chance to visit their families back at home, it might also mean missing out on experiencing holiday festivities in a new place&mdash;students studying abroad for the winter might have some difficult decisions to make!
However, if students can figure out what works for them in study abroad programs, winter could be the perfect season to travel. With so much going on all around the world and so much exciting new culture to see, what better way get the school year off to a flying start?