As students desire to expand their horizons beyond San Diego State University’s classrooms, many are deciding to study abroad.
Living in a foreign city offers so much more to learn, but the journey can be daunting.
Luckily, just by being a San Diego State student, you are already in a great position to study abroad because SDSU has one of the best programs, if not the best, in California for students wanting to go abroad.
The school has consistently ranked in the top 25 nationally for students studying abroad since 2003. As of 2025, SDSU received the Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA to commemorate the school’s dedication to international studies.
In the fall of 2024, SDSU sent 363 students abroad. The most popular countries were Italy, Spain, Mexico, Japan, and the U.K. This is not to say you can’t travel to any country your heart desires.
You must start planning the semester before you want to go.
Your first stop is the global education office. There you will find your abroad advisor. Once you meet with them, you can start brainstorming where you would want to go. You will then start receiving your options for programs, often either direct or exchange.
After inputting all of your information; your major, year, and areas you are interested in, you will get matched with a school and will show the percentage of compatibility. Once you find the school you want to attend, you will apply. Some schools have selective acceptance, but many will just admit all international students who apply. Once this is complete, you are done with the easy part.
In the spring of 2024, I was on track to go in the fall of 2024, and it was only when I went to get my visa things stopped going so smoothly. When I went to book my appointment through my consulate, they were booked out for four months which was past the point of when I was supposed to already be in Italy.
There could be some last-minute alternatives, but ultimately, I had to defer to the next semester. This is the biggest thing I wish I would have known more about before going through this process, so I want to ensure anyone planning on studying is aware of this. This felt earth-shattering at the moment, but even from being here for a month, I could tell that this was the right path for me.
I am currently attending Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy which was a 100% match for me. I am going through a direct program. Though the visa process was stressful, since being here everything feels surreal. I have already met so many people from all across the world, along with learning more about the language and the culture. I am trying to not waste any moment of it.
I was interested to hear some other SDSU students’ experiences and perspectives.
Ava Gibbs, a marketing major who is attending the same school as me, gave similar advice about pre-departure and how it can be difficult to balance the logistics while being a full time student, but she agrees that it is so worth it.
Maria Novo, a communications major, is also studying for a semester, but in Madrid, Spain.
She shared that at the beginning of this experience, it was a little rough, figuring paperwork out, finding your group, and figuring out travel while abroad. However, as you adjust more and more, you start finding your way and learning so much about everything.
With a more individual perspective of her experience, Erika Ellsworth, a marketing major, is entering her second semester abroad. She has been in Milan for the past six months and has really adapted to the culture. She urges people that if they have the means and comfortability to go for a whole school year, they should definitely take the opportunity.
Luke Jenson, an environmental studies major, also has a different perspective after studying in Costa Rica.
He encourages people to look into the cultural differences before going abroad, to really help ease your experience.
Despite these things and what to be aware of, everyone I spoke to shared the sentiment that this experience has taught them so much about themselves. Even many feel like a brand new person after their experience.
Studying abroad is one of the rarest, most unique opportunities many do not have.
Obviously, it is not as simple as “just do it”, but if it is something you have even thought about, pursue it.
There are many scholarships and ways to make it possible, and in turn, make your dreams a reality.
Top photo: Emma Kepfer is studying abroad in Italy. (Courtesy photo)