Students view migrating elephants during a safari in Kenya. Fall is peak season for the Great Migration. Photo courtesy of Education Abroad.
Do you want to study abroad but can’t decide which term is best for you? Worried about missing days on the slopes? Here are five reasons students should study abroad in the fall.
Boulder housing
Finding housing in Boulder can be a challenge. Studying abroad in the fall means you can skip the stress of finding housing in the fall, and plan on subleasing when you get back in the spring. Since many CU students study abroad in the spring, there’s usually a lot of options for subleasing. This could also be a great way to make connections with other students who go abroad and may want roommates!
Ski the Global South
Students snow skiing in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, 2019. Photo courtesy of Ava Lypps.
Who doesn’t want to “send” the most amazing mountains in Chile and New Zealand? Go abroad in the fall in the Southern Hemisphere and double the length of your ski or snowboard season!
Ski the South Island of New Zealand, shred the Andean slopes of Chile or Argentina, and explore everything else the Southern Hemisphere has to offer! Don’t worry, you won’t miss many days on the slopes back in Colorado if you go abroad to the Southern Hemisphere. In fact, Epic and Ikon ski passes both have options abroad, so buy one pass to ride all academic year long!
International festivals and celebrations
Europe has some amazing festivals, events and holidays during the fall semester, including Oktoberfest in Germany, Bonfire Day in England, London Fashion Week and much more!
Since it’s so easy to travel Europe—whether by train, plane or bus—you’ll be able to discover the unique celebrations of many different cultures. Go to Prague and celebrate St. Nicholas’s Day or “Mikulas,” check out Dublin’s Fringe Festival, or travel to Sweden to discover what a crayfish party is actually all about.
Christmas markets
As the air gets colder in the fall, Europe turns on the cozy heat with their vibrant Christmas markets! From Florence to Prague, Budapest to Vienna, Christmas markets line the main streets of cities with decorative ornaments, warm food, amazing lighting and a holiday spirit.
Visiting Christmas markets is an amazing way to learn about the culture, traditions and foods of a particular region. Fall brings lots of hot cocoa and happy spirits when you’re abroad in Europe!
See fall in another part of the world
Want to see how the leaves change colors in other parts of the world? Explore new cultures, places and people all while seeing what fall is like in a new place!
You might even choose your semester abroad based on the weather or wildlife. Avoid (or embrace) a rainy season. Head to Kenya in the fall to catch the Great Migration in peak season. If you’re considering Northern Europe, fall weather is usually preferable to spring and is the best time of year to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Get started today
No matter where you study abroad, doing so in the fall offers unique experiences and opportunities. Use your fall semester to discover new holidays and celebrations, learn about a new culture, and stay on track with your degree while studying abroad.
Connect with an Education Abroad advisor to get started—we’re open during winter break (check out our winter break schedule), which is a great time to start planning. Deadlines for fall programs range from Feb. 1 to March 1, so get started today!
