Prototype Your Study Abroad: If You Are Not Ready for a Full-Time Study Program Abroad Right Away
I’m often approached by people who say they’d love to study abroad but are afraid of uprooting their lives and committing to something as significant as a master’s or doctoral program. This is a common concern. It’s natural to wonder:
- What if I don’t enjoy living in another country?
- What if the university isn’t as good a fit as it seems on paper?
- What if I have a great job at home and don’t want to burn bridges without knowing what’s ahead?
If you share these concerns, there’s a solution: prototyping.
What is Prototyping?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a prototype as 'the first example of a product.' In the context of studying abroad, prototyping means trying out a smaller, shorter version of the large-scale program you’re considering, such as a master’s or PhD.
A 'study abroad prototype' might look like this:
- Attending an academic conference
- Participating in a summer or winter school
- Doing an internship
- Undertaking a research stay
- Joining a student festival
- Competing in an international event
Prototyping lets you test your assumptions about studying abroad without making a long-term commitment.
Why Prototyping Works
One of my favorite books, Designing Your Life, emphasizes the importance of prototyping as a life strategy:
Most people are passionate about many different things, and the only way to know what they want to do is to prototype some potential lives, try them out, and see what really resonates with them.
Prototyping lowers anxiety and helps you gather valuable data about the potential changes you’re considering. It allows you to explore options and ask important questions before diving in.
My Experience with Study Abroad Prototypes
Before I committed to a Master of Laws (LLM) in the US, I engaged in several study abroad prototypes. At university, I sought out every opportunity to gain international experience:
- I joined a fully funded program at the University of Regensburg, which allowed me to study in Germany for a month.
- I participated in the Philip C. Jessup moot court competition, where I prepared a case in English and competed in the United States against teams from around the world.
- I applied to the Paris Arbitration Academy and The Hague Academy of International Law.
These opportunities, often supported by scholarships and sponsors, gave me hands-on experience with studying abroad on a smaller scale.
These trips helped me collect empirical data: I gained in-depth knowledge of different education systems, learned about my target countries, and had conversations with people who’d experienced full-scale study abroad. These experiences reinforced my desire to pursue a larger program and helped me make an informed decision when the time came to choose a country and university for my LLM.
How to Start Prototyping Your Study Abroad
If you’re not ready to leave everything behind, start with a prototype. Here’s how:
- Apply for Short-Term Programs
Look for academic conferences, internships, summer schools, or competitions in your field. These allow you to test your assumptions about a specific country, university, or discipline. - Learn from Others
If going abroad immediately isn’t feasible, talk to people who’ve completed the program you’re interested in. Participate in online conferences or enroll in virtual summer schools. - Explore Local Alternatives
Even programs in your home country can provide insights. For example, during my undergraduate studies, I joined the Collège Universitaire Français at Moscow State University, where French professors taught courses in French law. While I enjoyed it, I realized I didn’t want to pursue an LLM in France—this shorter program met my needs. - Be Proactive
If your university doesn’t offer study abroad options or the selection process isn’t transparent, don’t hesitate to reach out to other universities and negotiate your own program. Some of my peers did exactly that.
Prototyping = Data for Better Decisions
Prototyping gives you valuable data about what you want—and don’t want—from a study abroad experience. With this data, you can iterate, refine your plans, and make decisions that truly align with your goals.
Even if you discover that a full-scale program isn’t right for you, you may find that short-term opportunities meet your needs perfectly. The key is to start small, gather insights, and build from there.
Final Thoughts
Don't let anything or anyone stop you from achieving your goals and dreams. Whether through a short-term program, an online experience, or even conversations with others, there are ways to prototype your dreams and make informed choices.
Good luck ☺️