For the last couple years, COVID-19 has been an excuse for dismissing travel plans due to borders being closed and high chances of getting sick. Though COVID-19 is still a problem all over the world, life is beginning to return to normal, and with that, more study abroad opportunities are opening. While some study abroad programs are still getting back on their feet, according to the International Education Exchange, 83 percent of institutions reported an increase in study abroad numbers for the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year.
For those looking to study abroad in the near future, here are some of the top study abroad locations offered at Ball State University.
United Kingdom
Ball State offers eight programs for study abroad in the United Kingdom in Aberystwyth, Bath, London, York, Worcester and Stoke-on-Trent. According to TheStreet, the U.K. is the most popular study abroad destination for American students. Over 600,000 students studied overseas in the U.K. in 2020. This European country is known for its quality education, being ranked number two in education by U.S. News. The U.K.’s tuition is capped at 9,520 pounds (approximately $11,000), according to Study in the UK. A benefit of studying in Europe is that students can easily travel from country to country.
Japan
Japan has 11 programs for study abroad with BSU offering travel to Akita, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto City, Nara, Sapporo and Nagoya. Japan was one of the most popular study abroad locations, with 242,444 students studying there in 2021. Japan is in the top 10 safest countries right now, as its global peace index is 1.336 on a scale of one to five, with one being the most peaceful, according to Vision of Humanity. Japan is an island on the east side of Asia, known for its unique culture and cuisine.
Australia
The only country to also be a continent has five options for travel through BSU. Students can visit famous cities such as Gold Coast, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Wollongong. The sixth largest country is home to rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef and the famous Sydney Opera House. Australia is especially famous for its wildlife, being one of the only countries to naturally home koalas and kangaroos. This country was listed as the third most popular country to host study abroad students, according to International Student.
Italy
Italy is home to many famous cities including Rome and Florence, the two options of study for BSU’s seven study abroad programs in the boot-shaped country. According to Leverage Edu, on average, public universities in Italy cost between $1,000 and $4,800 a year. Students who study in Italy can visit famous landmarks like the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Students can get a taste of pizza, pasta and Renaissance art, all originating in Italy.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica, located in Central America, is home to rainforests, volcanoes and waterfalls. Only three programs are open to Ball State students in Costa Rica, located in San Jose and San Ramon. According to the Happy Planet Index (HPI), Costa Rica was named the most efficient country in 2021, leading the list for four years. HPI measures how satisfied people are with their lives, life expectancy and ecological footprint. Costa Rica’s motto, according to CostaRica.com, is “Pura Vida,” or pure life. For coffee drinkers, Costa Rica is a top coffee producer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that Costa Rica contributed over 1.3 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee to the U.S. in 2022.
France
France is home to the most-visited city in the world, Paris, also referred to as the “City of Love” and the “City of Light.” The Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum are just some of France’s most famous landmarks, according to Atyls. BSU offers 10 programs to France including to Paris, Cannes, Grenoble, Chambery and Nancy. France is a popular study abroad country; according to Erudera, France hosted over 370,000 students in 2021.
Spain
Spain has the most programs offered by BSU, racking up to 12. The cities offered are Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Seville, Salamanca, Valencia, Alcala and Segovia. Spain is a top spot for study abroad students. Over 208,366 students studied there in 2022, according to Erudera. The country is famous for flamenco, siestas and the Running of the Bulls. Siestas, meaning “sixth hour,” are, according to the Sleep Foundation, a time when businesses close to take a short break. For soccer fans, or football, as they call it, Spain has two teams in the top 10: Real Madrid and Barcelona, according to Football Database. Spain is also the birthplace of the Spanish language.
Ireland
Ireland was rated the third safest country in the world by the Vision of Humanity, being given a GPI of 1.288. BSU has six programs in Ireland with options for Limerick, Dublin and Maynooth. This island country hosted over 25,000 students in 2021, according to Apply Board. Ireland, according to CEA Study Abroad, is home to over 30,000 castles and the Cliffs of Moher. If students are lucky, then they can be there to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating Irish culture.
Argentina
Argentina is the most popular tourist destination in South America, according to the Council on International Educational Exchange. Argentina is home to Patagonia, a region known for its mountains, glaciers and unique wildlife. Ball State offers three programs to Argentina, all to its capital Buenos Aires. Argentina is home to the southernmost city in the world: Ushuaia. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Argentina is 57 percent lower than in the U.S.
Germany
As of 2022, Germany is home to over 400,000 study abroad students, according to Erudera. Eight programs to go to Germany can be found through Ball State, with students being able to visit Berlin, Munich, Regensburg, Mainz, Ramstein and Dortmund. Germany is known for its unique culture, famous for their cars, markets and festivals. Oktoberfest is a famous beer-related festival in Germany that is held every October. Making for easy travel, Germany is also home to, according to WorldAtlas, the largest train station in Europe.
While these countries are some of the most popular study abroad locations, Ball State offers more than 35 countries for students to travel to. For those interested, Ball State’s Rinker Center of Global Affairs will be hosting a study abroad call out meeting in the Student Center for students Jan. 19 from 5-6:30 p.m. Students can learn more about Ball State’s study abroad programs on the Rinker Center website.
Contact Lila Fierek with comments at lkfierek@bsu.edu or on Twitter @fierek_lila.
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