If you’re anything like me, you probably thought studying abroad was out of reach. I didn’t take the time to think about it, because I knew it didn’t interest me. However, after speaking to many peers, I started to get FOMO (fear of missing out). Suddenly, I thought maybe this is an opportunity I should explore.

Luckily, at Harvard, if you decide you want to explore the option of studying abroad, it is quite simple. I began my research at the Office of International Education Website (OIE). Here, I read about not just semester study abroad but also summer options. I also found out that should you choose to study abroad during the term time, your Harvard financial aid transfer aid transfers to your approved program. Therefore, studying abroad is not an out-of-reach option, but one available to all Harvard students. 

But if the question of “Where should I study abroad?” is on your mind, worry not. The OIE also has a list of pre-approved programs that you can look through. Through this list, I found programs that were very appealing to me, enough to actually choose to study abroad there. But even if there is no already-approved program, you can find your own and petition it to the OIE. As long as the program meets their requirements, there is no limit to where you can study abroad! 

Once you have a program in mind, but still have some lingering questions, contact the program. Many of the programs offer opportunities to either chat with the program admission directors or contact previous alumni students, so you can bring up any concerns that you may have. This is a step I took just because there are so many small details that these contacts can help you with before officially deciding. This process helped give me a sense of peace when ultimately making my decision. 

Lastly, if you’re still pondering about taking this leap, reach out to your fellow classmates. While I had plenty of friends who had already studied abroad, the OIE has student ambassadors who are available via coffee chats, drop-in hours, and informal conversations. There are plenty of events on campus that you can choose to go to, or if those times don’t work for you, you can reach out to the student ambassadors and arrange a time. 

At the end of the day, deciding whether or not to study abroad isn’t about checking off a box or doing what everyone else is doing. It’s about giving yourself the space to ask what you want out of your time at Harvard and beyond. For me, taking the time to research, talk to peers, and ask questions transformed studying abroad from an intimidating unknown into an exciting possibility.

If you’re on the fence, know that you don’t need to have everything figured out right away. Exploring the option doesn’t mean committing to it. It simply means staying open to a new experience. Whether you ultimately decide to study abroad or stay on campus, the decision should feel informed, intentional, and right for you. And if studying abroad does end up being part of your journey, you might just find that the hardest part was deciding to take the first step.