Is it too late to study abroad as an adult? Starting at 50 is not too late! EF Study Abroad has been featured in ‘Otona no Oshare Techo Web’

Hello, this is Editor-in-Chief N from EF Study Abroad.

I have some exciting news! EF Study Abroad (EF Education First Japan) was interviewed for a special feature in Takarajimasha’s “
Otona no Oshare Techo Web“, titled “Change your life in just 2 weeks! Experiences of the rapidly growing trend of ‘Adult Study Abroad’.”

In the first half of the article, our representative, Nana Ito-Groning, talks about the current state of “adult study abroad.” The second half features the personal experiences of two people who actually took the plunge and studied abroad in their 50s and 60s.

This is an article I want everyone who thinks “studying abroad is for young people” to read. Today, I’d like to give you a rough overview of the highlights from my perspective as Editor-in-Chief N.

Adult study abroad for those in their 50s and beyond is on the rise

At EF, since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a significant increase in applications from people over 50.

Many people who have finished raising their children are taking the first step, thinking, “I’ll finally do the study abroad I couldn’t do when I was a student.”

Moreover, the goal isn’t just to improve English skills. It’s about experiencing local culture, making friends from all over the world, and enjoying life abroad itself. The ways adults can enjoy this experience are expanding rapidly.

Three points I shared in the interview

① 2 weeks is enough
The average stay for EF participants over 50 is 7 to 8 weeks. However, it is not uncommon for first-timers to start with a short-term stay of about 2 weeks. If you are worried about your physical stamina, please try a short-term program first.

② What are the popular study abroad destinations for adults?
We also introduced a ranking of popular study abroad destinations for adults. 1st place is Malta. The appeal is being able to enjoy European culture while learning English. Singapore, New York, London, and Honolulu follow. Recently, there has also been an increase in study abroad programs for French and Korean.

③ Checkpoints when choosing a program
What is important for adult study abroad is whether you can “learn from the basics of English without strain” and “participate with peace of mind even if you are alone.” Check if there are level-specific classes, if you can experience culture after school or on weekends, and if you can choose accommodations other than homestays. Please be sure to check these points as well.

The article also details the estimated costs for 2 weeks and tips for preparation before departure. Please be sure to read the full article.

The study abroad experiences of two adults who fulfilled their “someday” dream

In the second half of the article, the experiences of two people who took the plunge and studied abroad in their 50s and 60s are introduced.

▶ K.K. (60, Nursery Teacher) | 2 weeks in Toronto, Canada
K.K. had dreamed of living abroad since her 20s. Although she gave up on it once due to marriage and raising children, she took on the challenge again once her daughters became independent. She chose a 2-week period so as not to burden her workplace. Her study abroad goal was “to go, talk, and come back safely” rather than improving her English skills. After returning home, she said, “I became more positive about getting older.”

▶ M. (58, Bilingual Nursery Teacher) | 1 month in Boston, USA (EF Study Abroad)
M. had included studying abroad on her “bucket list.” Encouraged by her husband, she went to Boston with EF Study Abroad. Although she was the oldest in the dormitory, she started talking to people from the first day and made many teenage friends. She managed all the arrangements by herself, which significantly boosted her self-esteem.

How did the two of them spend their time locally, and what changed after they returned home? Please read the rest in the full article.
▶ https://osharetecho.com/column/111219/page3/

A word from Editor-in-Chief N

To be honest, I almost cried reading their stories.

When I talk about studying abroad, I often hear people say, ‘I’m not young anymore’ or ‘I can’t speak English.’ But the two people featured in the article didn’t go because they were already fluent in English. They are people who stopped putting off the desire to ‘try going.’

‘Someday’ rarely comes if you just wait for it.
I would be happy if this article becomes the catalyst for someone to turn their ‘someday’ into ‘this year.’

Frequently Asked Questions | Adult Study Abroad Q&A

Q. Can I study abroad in my 50s or 60s?
A. Of course you can. At EF, ‘adult study abroad’ for those over 50 has increased significantly in the last few years.

Q. Is it okay if I’m not good at English?
A. It is perfectly fine. At EF Study Abroad, you can learn from the basics in level-specific classes. At the Boston campus where M attended, she was able to choose the perfect class from 12 different levels.

Q. How long do you recommend?
A. For beginners, we recommend starting with a short-term program of about two weeks. The average duration for EF participants over 50 is 7 to 8 weeks.

Q. What are popular study abroad destinations for adults?
A. Malta, Singapore, New York, London, and Honolulu are popular.

Click here for the article

Please read the full article for estimated costs, how to choose a study abroad destination, and full testimonials.

▶ Otona no Oshare Techo Web
‘Even 2 weeks can change your life! Testimonials from the rapidly growing trend of “Adult Study Abroad”‘
https://osharetecho.com/column/111219/

If you would like to know more about adult study abroad, please take a look at the official EF Study Abroad website.