Post: #1

Hey everyone, I'm taking my MCAT end of spring/early summer and I'm planning a study abroad trip for about a month shortly after. I also plan to take a couple weeks after the summer semester and travel on my own.

There's a great program at King's College in London, but that's likely to be all nerdy chicks and London doesn't really entice me. There's also a program in Copenhagen, Denmark suited toward my major, but I haven't read anything positive about Denmark.

But to be completely honest I kind of want to ditch the nerdy types and just have a great time abroad and get bang some sexy foreign girls. I'm not having trouble at home, but this is something I definitely want to experience. Furthermore, I think I'd like a bit of a culture shock and I'd love to try to learn a new language and integrate.

From what I've read, I'm very interested in Eastern Europe. Prague looks incredible, but the sausage fest horror stories are a bit of a turn off. So, if anyone could give me any advice or recommendations in choosing a great country/city for an American college student to study abroad and pull, I'd be more than grateful. Thanks in advance.

Post: #2

If you have never been abroad...
Pick anywhere...you dont need advice...You gain a wealth of knowledge and experience anywhere you go.

You just need to get out and see something other than your surroundings

Post: #3

Like sourcode says, I wouldn't put too much strees on where you are going to pick, especially if this is your first time going abroad.
Just prepare yourelf mentally to learn quite alot about yourself and notice things too.

Post: #4

Totally agree with the above two posts.

Just shoot for "foreign experience cred" and a life changing experiences.

You're dead on about London: Don't be an asshole to yourself and go somewhere where the local language is English. Going somewhere that has a native language that differs from yours is really great for expanding how you see your world.

But to be honest, I think that study abroad for a summer semester is a huge waste of your time and will be far too short to satisfy. I highly recommend to doing 3-4 month minimum.

I say this as the guy who has done 4 semesters abroad and could never get enough.

Two months barely cracks the surface. After five months, you might be ready to go home.

Post: #5

Go somewhere where the culture will be most dissimilar to your own. That will open your eyes. That will feel fresh.

If you're in the US, going to London or North Europe ain't that big of a leap. It's just too 'safe'. Maybe consider another continent.

Post: #6

(08-27-2014 06:36 AM)Suits Wrote:  But to be honest, I think that study abroad for a summer semester is a huge waste of your time and will be far too short to satisfy. I highly recommend to doing 3-4 month minimum.

Unfortunately my major/classes don't permit me to go without delaying my graduation a year. Summer is my only option to stay on track.

But thanks everyone, I really want to go somewhere with a bit of a culture shock. Prague just seems perfect but everyone's a bit turned off by it. Trying to stay away from the typical places (London, Italy, France, Spain), where else in Europe would you guys recommend?

Other continents don't interest me as much. South American girls are hot but I feel like Europe would be a more complete experience. Who knows though.

Post: #7

Prague is an incredible study abroad spot. Best bang for your buck.

Let's face it. This isn't really a cultural immersion. It's a chance for you to get a taste of some (Czech) culture, but mostly party and tour across Europe. And Prague is very centrally located with plenty of Czech babes despite the massive influx of tourists.

If you're looking for an immersive experience, you're going to have to go off the beaten path into Eastern Europe. However, give your time frame I recommend just taking this as a travel experience.

Post: #8

Yeah Prague just seems to have at all. Probably #1 on my list unless somewhere else really intrigues me.

However, here's an update; today I went to my university's study abroad office and the man I spoke with presented me with an opportunity to intern at a hospital for the summer in Estonia. Tartu to be exact. Thoughts on this?

Post: #9

Interesting opportunity. What are you looking to get out of your summer?

Post: #10

(08-28-2014 10:54 PM)magellan Wrote:  Interesting opportunity. What are you looking to get out of your summer?

Experience and a good time. I just want to immerse myself in a new culture, bang some foreign girls, and have a blast. Plus, that sort of global healthcare knowledge and perspective will be a fantastic conversation/essay piece when I'm applying for med school.

It'll be my first time outside of North America. It would be in Tartu to be exact. After speaking with the advisor at the study abroad office, my three main options are Prague, Tartu, and some Italian city that I can't remember the name of (not Rome).

Tartu seems like it would be great, but are the women and the country enough to seclude myself from the rest of Europe? Prague is really intriguing, but the sausage fest horror stories are kind of a turn off. Italy just seems really hard to game.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Post: #11

I intend to go to Japan for a study abroad trip. Its definitely better if you go to a country with things you couldn't experience in your home country.

Post: #12

(08-27-2014 06:36 AM)Suits Wrote:  Totally agree with the above two posts.

Just shoot for "foreign experience cred" and a life changing experiences.

You're dead on about London: Don't be an asshole to yourself and go somewhere where the local language is English. Going somewhere that has a native language that differs from yours is really great for expanding how you see your world.

But to be honest, I think that study abroad for a summer semester is a huge waste of your time and will be far too short to satisfy. I highly recommend to doing 3-4 month minimum.

I say this as the guy who has done 4 semesters abroad and could never get enough.

Two months barely cracks the surface. After five months, you might be ready to go home.

What university allowed you to take 4 semesters abroad? My shitty uni cut me off after two and now I'm trapped here.

And I definitely agree about a few months not being enough. I did 7.5-8 months each time and still never felt ready to go home.

Post: #13

(08-29-2014 02:56 PM)keysersoze Wrote:  

(08-28-2014 10:54 PM)magellan Wrote:  Interesting opportunity. What are you looking to get out of your summer?

Experience and a good time. I just want to immerse myself in a new culture, bang some foreign girls, and have a blast. Plus, that sort of global healthcare knowledge and perspective will be a fantastic conversation/essay piece when I'm applying for med school.

It'll be my first time outside of North America. It would be in Tartu to be exact. After speaking with the advisor at the study abroad office, my three main options are Prague, Tartu, and some Italian city that I can't remember the name of (not Rome).

Tartu seems like it would be great, but are the women and the country enough to seclude myself from the rest of Europe? Prague is really intriguing, but the sausage fest horror stories are kind of a turn off. Italy just seems really hard to game.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Sounds to me like Estonia's the move man. Do a little research on the city, the study abroad experience, and then just go for it.

Post: #14

(08-31-2014 10:46 AM)iop890 Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 06:36 AM)Suits Wrote:  Totally agree with the above two posts.

Just shoot for "foreign experience cred" and a life changing experiences.

You're dead on about London: Don't be an asshole to yourself and go somewhere where the local language is English. Going somewhere that has a native language that differs from yours is really great for expanding how you see your world.

But to be honest, I think that study abroad for a summer semester is a huge waste of your time and will be far too short to satisfy. I highly recommend to doing 3-4 month minimum.

I say this as the guy who has done 4 semesters abroad and could never get enough.

Two months barely cracks the surface. After five months, you might be ready to go home.

What university allowed you to take 4 semesters abroad? My shitty uni cut me off after two and now I'm trapped here.

I dropped out and re-applied repeatedly.

Post: #15

Bumping this thread, hopefully for a fresh set of eyes and advice with some more information.

This is really my only shot at going abroad for the next four years, so I want to make the absolutely most of it. This means girls, nightlife, and of course a cultural escape.

I can only study abroad next summer and I know the female dynamics are different in the summers.

My first option is still Prague, but I've heard the influx of summer tourists and departure of local girls is a big drawback in the summertime. Am I worrying too much about this?

Two other options are Rio de Janiero and San Paulo, but I am more interested in the cultural studies of Europe to be honest.

Ultimately, any advice or recommendations of where a 21 year old white college kid should spend his summer would be greatly appreciated. And wherever I go, I'll take several weeks afterwards to pursue independent travel, so any advice on that would be great too.

Post: #16

How are Rio and Sao Paulo even options? Aren't all their universities in Portuguese?

Post: #17

(10-14-2014 02:56 PM)Americas Wrote:  How are Rio and Sao Paulo even options? Aren't all their universities in Portuguese?

They teach classes in English. They both have summer intensive Portuguese and Brazilian culture classes.

Post: #18

Copenhagen, London and Prague are all awesome cities in their own rights.

London is amazing if you're into music or art but if you're not, the price probably isn't justified. It's a very international city too, 40% of its population were born in another country. It's not that different from the US though so I think you're better off going somewhere more "foreign". Copenhagen is more chilled, loose girls but a bit of a grim winter. Prague is more of a party city, 2-3x cheaper than the other 2 cities you mentioned, a really beautiful place but a bit over run with tourists, including a lot of obnoxious Americans who you'd have to differentiate yourself from. In Prague you also have the advantage that it's pretty central geographically on mainland Europe so it's easy to travel to lots of different places. Western Europe and Eastern Europe are both very accessible from there which you don't really get anywhere else.

Post: #19

is Barcelona an option?

I think you're seriously sleeping on South America. I thought similar to you, but after having traveled a lot, many of my best experiences have been in SA. Sao Paulo has amazing nightlife and women.

But yeah, in Europe I'd shoot for Barcelona if you can.

Post: #20

(10-14-2014 04:40 PM)keysersoze Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 02:56 PM)Americas Wrote:  How are Rio and Sao Paulo even options? Aren't all their universities in Portuguese?

They teach classes in English. They both have summer intensive Portuguese and Brazilian culture classes.

Oh, I thought you were actually trying to take courses for your major. Are you looking at PUC-Rio?

I actually got accepted to PUC but I ended up turning it down.

I would choose Brazil over Europe any day, but I am really biased.

Post: #21

(10-14-2014 07:12 PM)the-dream Wrote:  Copenhagen, London and Prague are all awesome cities in their own rights.

London is amazing if you're into music or art but if you're not, the price probably isn't justified. It's a very international city too, 40% of its population were born in another country. It's not that different from the US though so I think you're better off going somewhere more "foreign". Copenhagen is more chilled, loose girls but a bit of a grim winter. Prague is more of a party city, 2-3x cheaper than the other 2 cities you mentioned, a really beautiful place but a bit over run with tourists, including a lot of obnoxious Americans who you'd have to differentiate yourself from. In Prague you also have the advantage that it's pretty central geographically on mainland Europe so it's easy to travel to lots of different places. Western Europe and Eastern Europe are both very accessible from there which you don't really get anywhere else.

From what you're saying, it's looking the move is Prague. I live music and the culture of London, but the prices and low quality of women eliminate it for me. Copenhagen is out.

Post: #22

(10-14-2014 07:34 PM)viajero Wrote:  is Barcelona an option?

I think you're seriously sleeping on South America. I thought similar to you, but after having traveled a lot, many of my best experiences have been in SA. Sao Paulo has amazing nightlife and women.

But yeah, in Europe I'd shoot for Barcelona if you can.

It is, I had just never given it a strong consideration. I don't speak Spanish, although I could learn some. Plus, I've heard Spain isn't very kind to a white American. The women don't seem to be too receptive. What are your thoughts on Barcelona?

I'm now strongly considering SA. I like the European architecture and culture better, but I am now completely open to South America as a possibility.

This is due to:
1. My uncle, who's been around the globe, told me Brazil and Columbia are incredibly for a single white guy.
2. I met a group of foreign exchange girls at my school. There's a german chick, who isn't attractive. There's a french girl, who is a total stuck up bitch. Then there are two Brazilians with amazing asses and an exotic beauty. They have me very interested in what else lies down there.

Post: #23

Well, one thing I will warn you about, if you are worried about not getting by without Spanish in Barcelona (which wouldn't even really be necessary really), then you will sink in Latin America. The vast majority of people in any Latin American country speak very little English, or none at all.

Post: #24

(10-15-2014 07:21 PM)keysersoze Wrote:  

(10-14-2014 07:34 PM)viajero Wrote:  is Barcelona an option?

I think you're seriously sleeping on South America. I thought similar to you, but after having traveled a lot, many of my best experiences have been in SA. Sao Paulo has amazing nightlife and women.

But yeah, in Europe I'd shoot for Barcelona if you can.

It is, I had just never given it a strong consideration. I don't speak Spanish, although I could learn some. Plus, I've heard Spain isn't very kind to a white American. The women don't seem to be too receptive. What are your thoughts on Barcelona?

I'm now strongly considering SA. I like the European architecture and culture better, but I am now completely open to South America as a possibility.

This is due to:
1. My uncle, who's been around the globe, told me Brazil and Columbia are incredibly for a single white guy.
2. I met a group of foreign exchange girls at my school. There's a german chick, who isn't attractive. There's a french girl, who is a total stuck up bitch. Then there are two Brazilians with amazing asses and an exotic beauty. They have me very interested in what else lies down there.

Barcelona is a really international city, and not speaking Spanish won't be a massive issue. If you learn enough to get around the city you'll have no problem finding girls to game in English.

Check out some of the info here on the forum on Barcelona. If you're a nightgame guy I think it's prety awesome. I was there but barely scratched the surface, that said, the clubs were all packed with hot girls. You could go out any night of the week and grab who knows how many flags. I don't see any problems as a white American guy although you won't have much exotic value.

Post: #25

(10-15-2014 08:07 PM)Americas Wrote:  Well, one thing I will warn you about, if you are worried about not getting by without Spanish in Barcelona (which wouldn't even really be necessary really), then you will sink in Latin America. The vast majority of people in any Latin American country speak very little English, or none at all.

It's a challenge I'd be willing to take on. I'm not naive and I know it's tough, but I'd love to learn a new a language and force myself to assimilate into a new culture. This is, provided, that it is in fact worth it and that I'd have a better time spending my summer in Spain or Brazil than Prague.