Languages-3rd year abroad

[Gettingstuffdonehere]

Anyone else’s student DC got a year abroad in 3rd year for languages degree? Mine was adamant it’s what she wanted, now it’s getting nearer and she’s terrified. Hoping that’s normal. Not sure how to help her. Anyone?

My DD did two semesters. As you did. I tend to agree that three languages is bit jack of all trades, master of none! It’s also rather assuming three languages is better then two in depth, and that’s not really the case. How academic is the course?

However, at DDs university they really preferred university or language assistant placement. Without a full semester, the latter isn’t possible. The former is difficult too. The university terms abroad are not set up for three terms like ours. In addition, DDs university had places at Translation schools if required and all students did certain language modules in the universities they went to. Working didn’t give this in depth of academic study.

Jobs that are a suitable for language acquisition are very difficult to find. That’s why DDs university vetted the suitability of them. With three different countries there is a lot of moving around and it will take a whole year to do this. The university probably won’t help get a job either.

I guess if she’s started the course, she cannot scale back? I would try though. Assuming she’s not a native speaker in any of the languages, then three is unnecessary. She can pick up a language later if she needs to. If she is a native speaker, then drop that one.

No, Bubbles, she went to study two languages and took another ab initio, rather to my surprise. I assumed that she was just doing it for the first year as happened sometimes when I was at uni but apparently not, and it is what she wants to do. It is a RG uni and a fairly academic course. I wish I knew how much guidance they were being given. She insists that they have been told to start thinking about what they might want to do. I know from going to Open Days that some unis did give more help than others.

Any updates op?? How is she getting on? DD is off in September and she’s so bloody excited whilst I’m so bloody nervous

Do try and stay calm! Many students do this year very successfully. It is helpful if they have accommodation sorted out, though. If your DD is excited and organised, she will be fine and so will you! It is also a great experience to put on the CV. Students really do not have to work during the time aborad. Not working did my DD no harm at all because she enhanced her knowledge about other things she was interested in that actually helped her have a conversation at interview! It made her a more knowledgeable and rounded person outside of her actual MFL degree.

Which uni is that? I think some insist on them working for at least 1 of the stages.

DD went to Bristol. They gave more help in choosing a university abroad and had a very good choice. I don’t think they found a work placement at all. That’s down to you. It was an academic course though. I still don’t see the huge advantage of working abroad unless you want that career or employer afterwards. Even the Engineering students there who did a year abroad went to a university and it was part of their final marks.

DD is off to France to study for a semester then has a work placement in Spain for semester 2 (in the field she would like to work in after uni). It is mainly the accommodation I am worried about. DD has heard some horror stories from final years who went to the same French uni who say that had no choice but to sign contracts for dodgy dingy flats as there was so many other students...

My son has finally sorted out his accom for a semester in Austria. It took a while as many uni halls were 6 month or 1 year contracts which were too long and lots of Air B&B type stuff that weren't interested in 3 male students. Finally has somewhere but expensive.

DD was well looked after at the university in Switzerland - she was slotted into a room vacated by a Swiss student who had gone abroad. It was a semester swap so it worked well. Possibly not replicated elsewhere! She too had heard about difficulties of accommodation in France, particularly Paris, and decided Switzerland was the better option. For her, it was.

Many universities abroad don’t offer accommodation. DD answered ads for accommodation in her second university city and visited them when she got there. She stayed in a hotel for a few days during the search which we paid for. Both sets of accommodation were cheaper than her own university so she actually saved money. She didn’t go with mates and I can see why this is difficult regarding accommodation. Most landlords will expect 6 months and finding accommodation for one is easier than three. You just have to take what’s on offer though.

Hi nomilknosugar & everyone else who's still here! It's good that your DD is excited - I'm still not getting that from mine. Shes back from term in Spain - after initial homesickness it was good! Luckily she had lovely flat mates who included her in their social lives from day 1. Boyfriend visited for 2 weeks, that helped too. Now it's Country 2 in September. Flat sorted there. She doesn't want to think about it yet, but I want her to book flights , so I have to bite my tongue & leave her to it 😬! I know the worries will all kick in soon - language, homesickness, missing bf etc.... feels like deja vu, but worse because this is a full year. Would love to hear how others at the same stage are getting on?

Can you be really upbeat about the boyfriend visiting? Plan flights to and fro if it isn’t too expensive. A few weekends home as well. Not sure where country 2 is - assuming it’s not Brazil or Japan! I would book the flight out though. Can you go along too to help her settle in? We stayed in a hotel for a few nights. Is it work or university Getting?

Hi Bubbles , yes Country 2 is in Europe 🙂. Bf won't be visiting much , he will be in his final year. Me & DH will be , and have said we will pay for midterm visits back. Thing is she won't talk about it or check dates, don't want to book flights and then find out it's a week too early/late!