“I'd love to, but I just can’t study abroad! I’m too busy for that!” 

Traveling to new countries can be an exhilarating experience like no other. What better time to do it than in college! Not only will you be able to earn credit toward your degree, but you’ll have plenty of amenities at your fingertips, potential access to scholarships, and, of course, more than enough time to do it. Oh wait, you’re a pre-med student… 

Studying abroad is a valuable experience I feel that all students should be able to do at least once in their college career. It can earn you credit to graduate, expand your horizons as an individual, show a more adventurous and open-minded attitude to potential employers, and, of course, give you plenty of stories to talk about for many years to come. There’s just one daunting concern within STEM majors in college today: we are TOO BUSY to do many things even when we would absolutely love to. I’m here today to break this stereotype and give some helpful tips and things to consider when deciding whether or not it is possible to study abroad, because let me tell you—it definitely is. 

My name is Michael Holowiak, and I’m a current junior at Binghamton University and work with CEA CAPA as an alumni ambassador. I major in biology, set on the pre-medicine track, and take part in lots of research on campus in multiple different labs. As you could probably assume, I am always busy—sometimes to the point where I forget to eat. I studied abroad in Sydney, Australia, in the winter of 2024, and I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to do so. It just took some planning. 

When Should I Study Abroad as a STEM major/Pre-Med Student? 

This is a very subjective topic to consider, and the decision will have to be made largely based on your abilities and what you think will work for you. However, what I decided made the most sense was to study abroad in an off semester, such as the summer or winter session. I did this because I was nervous to leave my university during a full semester for the sake of my biology and science classes. I thought my performance would’ve decreased if I was taking multiple hard classes in a completely different country, as if it were a regular semester’s worth of work.  

Traveling to a new country can be stressful, so having the additional stress of a full semester of work to avoid falling behind your peers might not be the best idea for some. For this reason, I would say to definitely consider a winter/summer program when deciding. Yes, it might be a little shorter, but it might work out better in your favor. 

Sitting on top of the Blue Mountains 

What Classes Should I Take as a STEM/Pre-Med Student While Studying Abroad? 

This is another one of those topics that can change heavily based on what your plan is and what you think you can handle. If you decide to study abroad during a regular semester (fall/spring), you will most likely have to take classes that directly relate to your major, so you don’t fall behind on your schedule to graduate on time. This can lead to other concerns about taking harder classes in another country. How will teachers be? Will it be hard to communicate in class? Is the work different from what I’m used to at my home university? These are all questions to consider and look into with each program if you are worried about your grades.  

In my case, I chose to study abroad during the winter and took a class that was related to the overall health of individuals in their environment, without being a traditional upper-level biology class with all those super long intimidating words. I specifically did this because I would’ve felt uncomfortable venturing outside what I’m used to when it comes to my academics. So, if you’re looking for classes to take that will be relevant to your career but may not be a traditional “core” class, be sure to read all the program options and reviews, and, as I’ve mentioned in the last section, check the off semesters as they sometimes have niche courses. 

Up and close with a Wallaby 

Where Should I Study Abroad as a STEM/Pre-Med Student? 

This one is entirely up to you! There are plenty of different countries to choose from with CEA CAPA, from Australia to Chile and Italy! Many of these locations each have multiple programs within, so there really are plenty of options. Within a destination, you can find a program for classes to take or even internships to put on your resume! This topic is really variable depending on what’s available and what you specifically need or want to add to your arsenal of experiences. If you need internships relating to medicine or research, find a location that interests you the most and see if there's one available! Sometimes larger cities might also have additional things to do or add to your resume that weren’t directly a part of the program, such as volunteer work.

Other than seeing what options there are, you should consider how life is going to be since you will be there for a while depending on the timing of your trip. Be sure to pay attention to any travel concerns (getting there, passports, airports, etc.) as well as the housing situations offered with the program. It's a fantastic idea to step outside your comfort zone to truly experience everything during your time abroad, but it’s also important to do so safely. So be sure to research programs and the area you wish to travel to! 

As my short blog comes to a close, I just wanted to offer some reassurance. It can be scary to make this jump with your busy schedule, but it is possible, and it is worth it. Do some planning, and everything will work out!

Outside the Sydney Opera House