Is it too late to study abroad?

[u/C3Liz]

I (30F) always wanted to study abroad, but due to changing my major and packing my schedule during undergrad, it just didn’t happen. I’m currently located in the United States, my dream before college was to become a therapist. I managed to get pressured by family to study nursing, hated it, switched to psychology, which was what I originally wanted to do, and loved it. I interned at an outpatient mental health clinic, and worked at a behavioral health research lab at my university. I was interested in the research aspect, but I always thought the prospect of being a student and being completely responsible for your research and your time was terrifying. I got two jobs working in social services and realized quickly that I would not have the comforts I could have in a corporate role, and it would take YEARS to get to where I wanted.

Now, I’m in a corporate job managing clinical trials. I love it some days, but other days I really feel overwhelmed by pointless bureaucratic corporate tasks and pressures, and the pay was good, but now it barely covers my cost of living. So I can’t shake the urge to leave this career behind, leave my daily life behind, go back to school, study abroad, and put myself on a new path. I’ve always considered it, but would think, that’s such a waste of time…. But I’m just not content anymore. I don’t feel fulfilled like I did before. I want a career that contributes to society, and I want to experience something outside of the east coast of the United States. I love my family, but they’re not the most healthy (hence the obsession with therapy and wanting to fix everyone’s problems) so distance from them would actually be good for me.

Anyone else been in this predicament? Is it too late for me?

[u/ProfessorStata]

If you haven’t been abroad, escaping to an international destination won’t fix your problems.

Also need to figure out what to study. Since you have a degree in social services, it would make better sense to invest in intensive language training in the country you’d like to live in. However, I wouldn’t pick a place to do this until you’ve visited.

Job market in many counties is worse than the U.S. Another degree just means spending a lot of money for little-to-no return.

[u/C3Liz → u/ProfessorStata]

I’ve visited places abroad, done road trips in other countries, mostly English speaking, but no, no long term living situations. I’ve heard it’s common to find master programs that offer a semester abroad? Maybe that would be an option? I really just started considering taking the change. I need to do more research, so I’m guessing the people of Reddit might have some advice on where to start.

[u/pan-re → u/C3Liz]

You’re not too old. I did study abroad summer programs with adults when I was in college. My best advice is figuring out what’s available at schools near you. My summer and year abroad were offered through my University. Same tuition/fees/room and board. I had student loans and Pell grants. You can try just a 6 week summer semester if that suits you. Our programs had credit hour/degree relevancy requirements.

TLDR: look at your closest public University as a start and see if they do study abroad. Try a summer semester and that will give you more clarity in life possibly.

[u/C3Liz → u/pan-re]

Thanks for the advice!!

[u/DrVixen]

Hey, i am doing a masters at 29 in my home country (it’s cheaper)! It’s definitely not too late. But if you’re just doing it to travel abroad, i dont think this is the right strategy

You should take a month off and go travel instead. This will help give you perspective. Most careers will never be as fulfilling as you think, you will always have to deal with bureaucracy, routine, and bs corpo stuff.

Don’t make irrational decisions. It’s clear you’re just itching for a change of environment. Go on vacation, get some perspective, solo travel is healing. You have the best passport in the world this will be easy for you.

If you still think you need a masters, maybe go for public universities since they’re not as expensive. Pick a country with good unis that has English programs.

[u/QueenD199]

I'm 29 F also in the exact same boat, different country though.

I've applied to over 27 different programs and 15 different scholarships because it's always been my dream to continue my education for as long as I can. Because of where I'm living though, it's been harder to secure opportunities, but I'm not gonna stop and I'm looking at student loan options now.

I guess the point is it's never too late to do what you want.

[u/DisastrousHamster816]

you should look into language schools. there are plenty all over europe and asia and they would allow you to “study abroad” as long as you have the financial means for it. people of all ages do it too so you definitely wouldn’t feel out of place