Many students choose to take time from traditional academic settings for more experiential learning by taking a gap year or doing a study abroad program. If you plan ahead, your bleeding disorder doesn’t have to stand in your way.
Studying abroad and taking a gap year are all options to explore. These experiences can be life changing. When choosing to study abroad or take a gap year there may be a few extra things to consider if you have a bleeding disorder. Read below for things to think about as you decide what you want to do and where you want to go!
This section of Gap Year and Study Abroad covers:
Choosing a Study Abroad Program
What to Know When Travel Internationally
Gap Year Options
A gap year isn’t one set experience but often means taking time between high school and college or career training for experiential learning. This could be in formal programs people can apply for to get exposure to areas they may want to study or have a career in, or it could be for personal growth. Here are some things to think about when considering or planning a gap year:
- Ask yourself why you might want to take a gap semester or year. What would your goals be during that time? Are there skills you want to gain or experiences you want to have?
- Research options for how to achieve those goals. It could be through volunteer opportunities, paid work, internships, or formal gap year programs.
- Think about logistics, including your health and bleeding disorder (see section below if your gap year plans may take you internationally), as well as other implications for your plans after your gap year (college, vocational training, work, etc).
- You can find useful tools and resources, including a planning guide, on the Gap Year Association’s website.
Choosing a Study Abroad Program
A lot of educational institutions have study abroad programs that partner with schools in other countries. These programs are opportunities to take classes and learn skills in a country different from your own. Most schools have an office for study abroad programs available to students. Visit your school's Study Abroad Office long before you want to travel. It’s a great resource that can give you information about the different options. The study abroad office can also help align the available programs with your needs.
In many schools, your advisor works with you and the study abroad office to help you fit studying abroad into your overall goals and plan. Often students spend one academic semester in another country. Others may study abroad for less or more time. You will want to work with your academic advisor to decide what works best for you. Depending on your plan of study, there may be some semesters you can or cannot study abroad.
Here are some things to think about when choosing where to study:
- What country do you want to study in? You may want to think about the classes offered, goals of the program, and if you have the language skills needed.
- Which locations meet your health needs?
- What is your plan for delivery of medications for your bleeding disorder? Other countries may have different laws about shipping medications internationally.
- Will you be able to store your medication? If you are studying in a warm climate or in a remote location, you might need a refrigerator to store your medication.
- Is there access to good health care? Will you be allowed to carry a portable emergency kit? Will you have access to emergency services?
- Will you be in an environment where you can take your medication safely?
- How will you get to class each day? What will your daily routine be like? If you have a bleed or sustain an injury, will you be able to use public transportation to get where you need to go?
- There may be extra costs when studying in another country. Check with your school and study abroad office. You may be able to cover these costs through grants and scholarships.
- Consider how studying abroad may affect school requirements, such as completing certain classes, an internship or community service, and finding a job.
- Some schools require you to be on campus for the last semester before graduation.
- Some plans of study may need you to take courses on campus which may affect when you can study abroad. Work with your advisor to plan out how to fit study abroad into your overall plan.
Leave yourself plenty of time to plan for studying abroad.
Before You Travel Internationally
Explore your insurance options. If your current plan doesn’t cover you while you are in another country, you may want to purchase additional travel and/or evacuation insurance. This type of insurance may cover visits to a health care provider or hospital and any medication or other health care costs you may have, including transportation back to the United States.
If you want more information about how to prepare to travel domestically and internationally go to Domestic and International Travel.