Where Should You Really Study Abroad?

By: Emily Maggrett
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Where Should You Really Study Abroad?
Image: Alexander Spatari/ Moment/ Getty Images

About This Quiz

Are you intrigued by the notion of spending a year studying abroad? While some people might be intimidated by this idea, bold folks like you understand that attending an international university has some very important advantages. 

The most obvious advantage is that living in another country makes it easier for you to pick up its language since you're using it every day. That's a skill that can last a lifetime! Another advantage is all the opportunities for independence that studying abroad offers you. If your family is somewhat controlling, or if you're eager to stretch your wings in an environment without familiar faces, studying abroad could be your ticket to truly finding yourself. Finally, many international universities have excellent educational programs. For instance, if you're studying art history, a year at the Sorbonne could add significant prestige to your resume!

If you're already in love with the idea of international study, but aren't sure where to apply, this quiz can help. We've come up with a series of questions that will help you figure out which country would best fit your needs. So, if you're eager to start exploring your study abroad options, do yourself a favor: take this quiz first!


Question 1 - science
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What are you majoring in?
English or history
Art or music
Business
Engineering or another science

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Question 2 - local culture
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Are you looking for an experience that immerses you in local culture, or would you rather join a large international student community?
I want to be immersed.
I don't want to be the only person who speaks English, so yes, an international student community would be good.
Preferably the locals would speak some English.
I don't need other Americans around, but I'd like to be in an English-speaking country.

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Question 3 - city
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What's the smallest-sized city you'd be willing to live in durng your time abroad?
I wouldn't want to live in a town with less than 50,000 people.
I'd prefer to stick to cities that have at least 200,000 people.
1 million people is my limit ... I love big cities!
Rural is fine by me. As long as there's a town nearby with at least 5,000 people, I'll be happy.

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Question 4 - languages
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Do you pick up new languages easily?
Not really. But what I lack in linguistic skills, I make up for in enthusiasm!
My skills are average. I'm not scared of new languages but I'm not a natural linguist either.
Yes. I love learning new languages.
No, not at all

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Question 5 - mountains
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Which geographical feature must your new country have?
Stunning mountains
Rolling fields
Beautiful forests
An amazing coastline

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Question 6 - budget
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Regarding living accommodations and daily life, what's your budget?
I need to keep my expenses very low.
My budget is pretty flexible, actually.
I can afford to live in almost any country.
I'm on a tight but not meager budget.

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Question 7 - new friends
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In general, how long does it take you to make new friends?
Days
A few weeks
Years
A few months

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Question 8 - high school
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Are you currently in high school, college or the workforce?
College
High school
I'm working on my master's degree.
I'm a few years out of school.

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Question 9 - Surf
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What do you like to do for fun?
Go dancing
Attend cultural events
Read or watch TV
Surf

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Question 10 - adventure
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Of all the great reasons to study abroad, which one truly calls to you?
I want to have a real adventure.
I think studying abroad will make me a more sophisticated person.
Studying abroad is a wonderful way to learn a new language.
Universities in other countries are less expensive than American universities.

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Question 11 - cook
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Can you cook?
I can make a few basic dishes.
No, and I don't want to learn how to.
I can heat things up in the microwave. Does that count?
I'm an excellent cook.

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Question 12 -  phone
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You could never live in a country that didn't have ...
A friendly culture
Good smartphone reception
Ample public transportation
Plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun

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Question 13 - wildlife
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Are you scared of any wildlife?
I have a healthy sense of caution, but also believe that as long as you're careful, most wildlife isn't a threat.
I don't like spiders, but am open to other creatures.
Yes. Basically I'm scared of everything but cats.
No. I'd love to see some exotic animals.

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Question 14 - Snow
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What's your least-favorite kind of weather?
Snow
Cloudy skies
Sweltering heat
Rain

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Question 15 - driving
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Could you handle living without a car?
No. Driving is just so convenient.
Yes. But I'd need access to a bike or scooter.
Easily. I hate driving.
Not at all. My car is like a part of me.

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Question 16 - tan
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Do you tan well?
No. However, I wear sunscreen religiously, so it's not a problem.
Sort of. I usually get burned at least once or twice per summer.
No. I'm basically allergic to the sun.
Yes. I look my best when tanned.

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Question 17 - Skype
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How do you cope when you're feeling lonely?
I go out and make some new friends.
I try to focus on self-care.
I Skype with old friends.
I work out. It makes my angst disappear!

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Question 18 - travel
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What's the farthest distance you'd be willing to live from your family?
I'd like to stay in the Americas.
I'm fine with being an ocean away from my family.
To be honest, I don't care whether I'm close or far away from my family.
I'd like to stay in the same hemisphere as my family.

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Question 19 - Staring
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In your opinion, which one of these behaviors is the rudest?
Ignoring someone who's new to your town
Going out to a restaurant or party while dressed sloppily
Staring
Constantly asking others for help

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Question 20 - patio
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Would you rather eat indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors. Food tastes better when it's cooked over an open fire.
Outdoors on a patio, yes. Outdoors in a camping scenario? No way.
Indoors, 100%!
I don't care, as long as the portions are big.

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Question 21 - mexico
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Besides your own, how many countries have you visited?
Two (Canada and Mexico)
Three (including at least one European country)
Four (including at least one Asian country)
Zero. I'm a travel neophyte.

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Question 22 - Gordimer
Wikicommons by Vogler
Who's your favorite non-American author?
Jorge Luis Borges
Italo Calvino
Haruki Murakami
Nadine Gordimer

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Question 23 - prestigious
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How prestigious is your ideal university?
It doesn't matter, as long as the program I'm majoring in is well-regarded.
Extremely prestigious
Somewhat prestigious
I don't really care.

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Question 24 - vegetarian
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Do you have any dietary restrictions?
I'm on the Paleo diet.
I'm a vegetarian.
I can't eat dairy.
I can eat anything!

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Question 25 - animals
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What scares you about traveling abroad?
Potential culture clashes
Not being able to access my favorite foods
The possibility of encountering dangerous animals, reptiles or insects
Not being able to speak the language

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Question 26 - stay
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Do you want stay in your new country after you finish school?
Probably not. I want an adventure, not a new life.
Maybe. It would depend on whether I was offered a job (or if I met a special someone.)
Definitely! I'd love to use my university connections to land a high-quality position.
No way. I'd get too homesick.

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Question 27 - tough
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On a scale of 1 to 10, how physically tough are you?
7. I can deal with lots of different physical stresses.
4. I'm not very athletic and lack endurance.
2. I'm terrified of physical danger.
10. I'm a seasoned athlete and am afraid of very little.

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Question 28 - Soccer
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What kind of athletic activities would your ideal university have?
Soccer
N/A. I don't care for sports.
Baseball
Hiking, rowing and swimming

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Question 29 - making mistakes
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How well do you deal with making mistakes?
I laugh them off.
I'd prefer not to make errors, but I understand that they're inevitable.
Making mistakes mortifies me.
You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

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Question 30 - boots
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To keep yourself grounded, what item from home will you bring with you?
My trusty leather boots
A teacup that my grandmother gave me
A childhood security blanket
My compass

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You Got: