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Four Questions to Ask When Choosing a Study Abroad Program

Four Questions to Ask When Choosing a Study Abroad Program
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Noodle Staff September 14, 2012

How do you choose the right study abroad program? Ask yourself these four questions to find a study abroad program that you can afford, enjoy, and learn from.

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Offered By Case Western Reserve University logo
Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups
Article continues here

When it comes to deciding what type of overseas experience you'd like, you have a world of choices to sort through. How do you choose the right study abroad program for you?

To get you started on your study abroad search, here are four questions to ask yourself when choosing a study abroad program.

1. What are your academic goals?

Do you still have requirements to complete for your major? Make sure to ask yourself the important logistical questions about how your study abroad fits into your broader academic requirements, course of study and graduation schedule. There's no question that once you're abroad, you'll learn just as much outside the classroom as inside it; just make sure that you'll still be on track when you get home.

2. How does your study abroad fit in with your professional or post-grad goals?

You may want to do an internship while you study abroad. If you know what you might like to do, you may want to think about whether or which foreign language will look best on your resume. Is there a particular culture or location that would be impressive to employers in your profession?

3. What language do you want to speak or study?

Learning or perfecting a second language has traditionally been a large part of studying abroad. Ask yourself if you'd like to study in English or another language. If you plan to learn or improve your foreign language skills, you may want to talk to an instructor to determine which level of language fluency you're ready to study in. Furthermore, many languages are spoken in several countries by native speakers with a variety of different dialects. You may want to do research or ask around to see if a certain dialects or regional accents are suited to your level of fluency or interests.

4. How much money can you spend?

Keep in mind that your cost of living while abroad will vary dramatically depending on where you'd like to study. Some countries have a low cost of living and others are exceptionally expensive. Costs may also vary between a rural area of one country and the major cities. And don't forget about exchange rates! The exchange rate between your home currency and your host country can make a dramatic difference in how far your money goes abroad.

Noodle can help you find the right study abroad program. Our study abroad program search enables you to sort by

Further Reading:

A Guide to Finding the Right Study Abroad Program

The Best Places to Study Abroad Aren't Where You Think

Top 10 Reasons to Study Abroad

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Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certificate

Offered By University of South Florida logo

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Beyond Silicon Valley

Offered By Case Western Reserve University logo

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