The time that you choose to study abroad will be based on several factors. The most important of these may be the requirements of your home university. For example, your school may require that you spend your senior year on campus. Be sure to check with your school’s study abroad office to see what requirements you need to factor into your decision.

You will also want to consider your own academic and extra-curricular programs in your decision. You may want to ensure you are on campus during your junior and senior years, so that you can benefit from the various classes available to upperclassmen. Or, you may want to take enough language classes to place into an advanced level during your stay abroad.

Most students elect to go abroad during their sophomore, junior, or senior years. You will likely find that one of these times works best for you.

Sophomore Year Abroad

Your sophomore year is generally your first opportunity as an enrolled university student to study abroad. Getting a jump on study abroad during your sophomore year could be advantageous for several reasons:

You can dramatically improve your language skills early in your college career.
You can spend your junior and senior years on your home campus, freeing you to take advanced classes.
You can enjoy opportunities on your home campus reserved for upperclassmen, such as internships, student government positions, and independent research.
You can consider going abroad again during your junior or senior years, perhaps to another country.

Junior Year Abroad

Most students choose to study abroad during their junior year. Many universities encourage their students to go abroad during this time. You may find that the junior year fits you best for various reasons:

Having completed two years of university-level language study, you can place into the higher language levels in your school abroad.
You’ve become comfortable at your home university and are prepared for the time away. You have gotten to know your professors and advisors, and can seek them out when you return.
By returning to your home campus in time for your senior year, you will be free to take any remaining advanced classes.
You may have friends studying abroad at the same time, either in your program, or in a nearby place you can visit.

Also, your home university may require that study abroad students be juniors, so be sure you are familiar with your home school requirements when applying.

Senior Year Abroad

Many seniors who study abroad do so because it is their last chance to do so, and have only recently realized what a great experience they would otherwise be missing. Many seniors go abroad during the fall semester, and return in the spring for a final term on campus. Many others have already fulfilled their core requirements, and graduate immediately following their time abroad.

Summer Abroad

For some students, the constraints of their academic program prevent them from studying abroad during the school year. A summer abroad suits many students for various reasons:

Students with heavy courseloads or double majors need to stay on their home campus during the academic year.
Students involved in student government or athletics need to fulfill obligations during the academic year.
If you wouldn’t otherwise take classes during the summer, you can earn a few extra credits toward graduation.

While summer programs are shorter than semester programs, they often give busy students, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to study abroad, the opportunity to improve their language skills, experience a new culture, and see new places, all without delaying graduation.