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uni semester abroad in country i don't want to go to

i've really been wanting to do a year abroad in the usa but my uni only allows a semester here because its such a popular choice, so now i have to find another country to go to for the second semester but i have zero interest in going elsewhere as there's not many good options for my course. i don't know if its worth spending a semester in a random country, wasting time and money for no reason, just to be able to spend a semester in the usa. what should i do?

Reply 1

UoNstudents

Official Rep

Original post

by jess14x

hey @jess14x !!

This situation sucks because you know exactly where you want to go, and the uni’s rules are basically forcing you into a second choice you don’t care about.

The first thing to ask yourself is what you’re actually looking for. If the main goal is specifically to study in the US - the campus life, the culture, the whole vibe- then doing a random second-semester option might feel like you’re just jumping through hoops. Exchanges only feel worth it when you genuinely want the place you’re going to.

At the same time, the second country doesn’t have to be a waste. A lot of people end up loving the place they didn’t originally pick because it’s low pressure and they go in with zero expectations. It can genuinely be a cool few months, and then you still get the US semester you’ve always wanted. Think of it as a bonus chapter rather than a compromise.

But if the idea of being somewhere you don’t want to be genuinely stresses you out or feels like a huge financial drain, then it’s worth considering other ways to get to the US.
You’ve got options like:

•

a summer programme in the States

•

an internship there

•

postgraduate year in the US

•

even just a year-long holiday

These can sometimes give you more time in America than the exchange would.

The bottom line: don’t force yourself into a place you actively don’t want just because the system is awkward. But also don’t dismiss the idea that a second location could end up being a fun surprise. It depends on what you want your year to feel like.

Whatever you choose, you’re not losing your chance to experience the US. It might just happen in a slightly different way than you originally imagined.

Aimee, UoN Student Rep

Reply 2

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi there,

I can understand why you’re disappointed, especially if you were hoping for a full year in the US. But you would still get to spend part of your time there, which is something not every university can offer. Having the option to study in two different countries is a valuable opportunity, even if one of them isn’t your first choice.

It’s also worth remembering that the places you least expect can sometimes end up being the most rewarding. Studying abroad is all about experiencing new cultures and different ways of living, and being open-minded can make a big difference to how you find it.

That said, if you have strong reasons for not wanting to go elsewhere — whether that’s finances, safety, or simply not feeling it would benefit you — then there are other ways to get experience in the US. You could look into summer opportunities such as internships, summer schools, Camp America, or even plan to travel there after your degree.

As a next step, I’d definitely recommend booking a meeting with your Study Abroad team. They can talk through all your options, and you could ask if they can put you in touch with students who have been on the programme so you can hear their honest experiences. It’s also worth checking whether there’s any flexibility — for example, doing one semester in the US and then returning to your home university for the other.

Before deciding firmly against the other countries, try doing a bit of research into them. You might find something that appeals more than you initially thought.

Good luck with your decision,

Megan (LJMU Rep)

Reply 3

hallamstudents

Official Rep

Original post

by jess14x

Hi there,

This is a tricky one, but I thought I may as well try and give you some advice!

Firstly, it sounds like you really want to go to the US, so it seems like it may be a good idea to still go and then find somewhere for your second semester. If you do a semester in the US, do you have to do the second one elsewhere? I know some people who have just done one semester abroad and then come back to the UK for the second semester, or the other way around, so would you be able to do this? If so, this may work as you will be able to go where you want to, even if it is for less time than you originally wanted to.

If not, I think it is still worth having a look into places that you could go for the second semester. One of my friends ended up going somewhere she didn't really want to for her second semester of second year and ended up loving it so much and wanting to stay! Things work out better than you think sometimes so if you really want to go to the US it may be worth trying to find somewhere else.

This being said, it is not worth going somewhere for a semester if you really don't want to go. As people have said on here, there are other ways of spending time in the US such as Camp America, so you could consider this too. As much as it may well work out, you can't force yourself to go somewhere you genuinely don't want to go.

I think that talking to your academic advisor is a good idea as they may be able to help. Or, you could talk to the person who is co ordinating the study abroad as there is usually an advisor of some kind to talk to about study abroad and where you could go, so maybe ask them about this too.

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.