In the 2017-18 academic year, about 2,000 Golden Bears headed off to study abroad in nearly 50 different countries, stepping away from campus and into the unknown, whether that be their first time leaving the country, immersion in a new language or an internship at an overseas company.

Studying abroad can be daunting, and with this issue we hope to offer a range of study abroad experiences, programs and resources for students considering going abroad during their time at UC Berkeley. Consider this your guide to navigating the study abroad process at large, from what country to study in to how to kill time in the airport once you’ve (almost) reached your destination.

So pack your bags, grab your travel journals and head for your destination — the world beyond Berkeley is waiting to be explored.