A Semester Abroad: Fall or Spring?

Josi Hicks
Jul 10, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Jul 24, 2025

Having studied abroad for the full Academic Year (2024-2025) in Florence, Italy, I know what a semester abroad feels like for both fall and spring semesters. To help you decide which semester is right for you, here is my ultimate pros and cons list for each.

Planning for study abroad can get overwhelming. Not only must you decide where you want to study abroad, but you also have to decide when you want to study abroad. If you're torn between fall versus spring, then read here to get a better idea of what both semesters are like.

Fall Semester Abroad

PROS

The weather—Warm temperatures often last throughout the end of October (especially in southern European countries), making the Fall ideal for traveling to coastal destinations (Croatia, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, etc.).
Attractions—Because European summers run later, you'll be arriving when ferry schedules, island towns, and Mediterranean vibes are still in full swing.
Euro Summer w/o the tourists—Even though you'll likely arrive during the summer (late August), tourist traffic starts to die down within the first few weeks, leaving you time for the Euro Summer experience w/o the tourists.
Holiday Season—One of my absolute favorite parts about this semester are the festival options. From three weeks of Oktoberfest to one full month of Christmas markets, there's never a dull moment in the Fall.
The people—Personally, I found that the students who studied abroad in the Fall were more friendly and outgoing than those in the Spring. Students in the Spring seem to come from more "traditional" colleges, with a lot of students sticking to their pre-established friend groups.

CONS

FOMO—Since the Fall Semester tends to be less popular, you might get FOMO from what's going on back at your home campus. Then, after you return in the Spring, you might get FOMO from seeing friends studying abroad second semester.
Northern Europe—If you plan on studying abroad in a Northern European country (think Scandinavia/the UK), then the weather factor might not matter as much to you since it'll generally be colder and darker in these locations.
Can feel "over" earlier—As the weather gets colder in November, it can start to feel like the semester is already ending after you hit fall break. To avoid this, plan your travel strategically (coastal locations first, festival locations second).
Holiday Season—While I saw the holiday season as a pro, it can also be seen as a con. You'll likely miss Thanksgiving, and since Christmas is right around the corner, you won't have much time to travel around after your semester ends.
Sports—If you're a big football fan, then missing football season might be the dealbreaker for you. Since I go to UNC (a known basketball school) I didn't feel too bad about missing out on the tailgates, but if you go to an SEC school, then you might be missing the fall festivities.

Spring Semester Abroad

PROS

Northern Europe—For the Spring Semester, northern study abroad locations might be more ideal. Since the weather starts out cold everywhere, there isn't as much benefit to studying abroad in a southern location. Plus, nature comes alive in April in central and northern Europe (cherry blossoms, tulips, wisteria, etc.).
Warm weather excitement—Even though the weather stays colder for longer during the Spring (it doesn't get notably warm until the end of April/beginning of May), there is something to be said about the excitement of summer=motivation come finals week.
Spring Break—When studying abroad in the Spring, you get to reap the benefits of spring break festivities, meaning more parties and people (which could be a pro or a con, depending).
More students—If you're planning on studying abroad with your friends, then you might enjoy the popularity of this semester for the social aspect.
Ending at the start of summer—With studying abroad in the Spring, you end your semester at the start of summer, meaning you'll have the option to travel around after your semester ends. Also, you won't get as bad of post-study-abroad-depression since the sun will be out.

CONS

The weather—Like I said, depending on where you study abroad, this might not matter as much. For me, though, being in Florence meant that the weather in the Spring was exponentially worse than it was in the Fall. It felt like it was nonstop raining, cold, and grey nearly the entire semester.
Festivities—In my opinion, the Spring doesn't have nearly as much to offer as far as festivities go. There might be some local markets and festivals, but nothing as major as the Fall's Oktoberfest and Christmas markets.
Planning for the summer—If you haven't solidified your summer plans prior to the Spring Semester, it can be stressful to be abroad whilst conducting internship interviews or struggling to make online job connections.
More students—Both a pro and a con, the popularity of studying abroad in the Spring Semester can be troublesome. With friend groups and cliques persisting, this semester can feel limiting for those of us who went abroad to create new experiences.
Expenses $$$—Since there are more students studying abroad, and because March sees a rise in tourism with Spring Breakers, in-demand fares means it's more expensive to travel in the Spring Semester.

Personality Dependent

If I had to give my verdict, I'd say I preferred studying abroad in the Fall versus the Spring.

This can vary depending on the person, though, so here is a stereotyping of the individual who studies abroad in the Fall vs. the Spring:

Fall

Solo study abroad students
More private schools than the Spring
Students of the Arts
Easier to make new friends

VS.

Spring

Friend groups studying abroad
More SEC/public schools than the Fall
Students from "traditional" colleges
Convenient if you come with others

Final Thoughts

Looking for better weather, a variety of new experiences, and new friends?

Then Fall is the way-to-go.

Looking to study abroad with friends and avoid FOMO from back home?

Then Spring is the way-to-go.

Happy Studying Abroad

Having studied abroad for the full Academic Year (2024-2025) in Florence, Italy, I know what a semester abroad feels like for both fall and spring semesters. To help you decide which semester is right for you, here is my ultimate pros and cons list for each.

Planning for study abroad can get overwhelming. Not only must you decide where you want to study abroad, but you also have to decide when you want to study abroad. If you're torn between fall versus spring, then read here to get a better idea of what both semesters are like.

Fall Semester Abroad

PROS

The weather—Warm temperatures often last throughout the end of October (especially in southern European countries), making the Fall ideal for traveling to coastal destinations (Croatia, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, etc.).

Attractions—Because European summers run later, you'll be arriving when ferry schedules, island towns, and Mediterranean vibes are still in full swing.

Euro Summer w/o the tourists—Even though you'll likely arrive during the summer (late August), tourist traffic starts to die down within the first few weeks, leaving you time for the Euro Summer experience w/o the tourists.

Holiday Season—One of my absolute favorite parts about this semester are the festival options. From three weeks of Oktoberfest to one full month of Christmas markets, there's never a dull moment in the Fall.

The people—Personally, I found that the students who studied abroad in the Fall were more friendly and outgoing than those in the Spring. Students in the Spring seem to come from more "traditional" colleges, with a lot of students sticking to their pre-established friend groups.

CONS

FOMO—Since the Fall Semester tends to be less popular, you might get FOMO from what's going on back at your home campus. Then, after you return in the Spring, you might get FOMO from seeing friends studying abroad second semester.

Northern Europe—If you plan on studying abroad in a Northern European country (think Scandinavia/the UK), then the weather factor might not matter as much to you since it'll generally be colder and darker in these locations.

Can feel "over" earlier—As the weather gets colder in November, it can start to feel like the semester is already ending after you hit fall break. To avoid this, plan your travel strategically (coastal locations first, festival locations second).

Holiday Season—While I saw the holiday season as a pro, it can also be seen as a con. You'll likely miss Thanksgiving, and since Christmas is right around the corner, you won't have much time to travel around after your semester ends.

Sports—If you're a big football fan, then missing football season might be the dealbreaker for you. Since I go to UNC (a known basketball school) I didn't feel too bad about missing out on the tailgates, but if you go to an SEC school, then you might be missing the fall festivities.

Spring Semester Abroad

PROS

Warm weather excitement—Even though the weather stays colder for longer during the Spring (it doesn't get notably warm until the end of April/beginning of May), there is something to be said about the excitement of summer=motivation come finals week.

Spring Break—When studying abroad in the Spring, you get to reap the benefits of spring break festivities, meaning more parties and people (which could be a pro or a con, depending).

More students—If you're planning on studying abroad with your friends, then you might enjoy the popularity of this semester for the social aspect.

Ending at the start of summer—With studying abroad in the Spring, you end your semester at the start of summer, meaning you'll have the option to travel around after your semester ends. Also, you won't get as bad of post-study-abroad-depression since the sun will be out.

CONS

The weather—Like I said, depending on where you study abroad, this might not matter as much. For me, though, being in Florence meant that the weather in the Spring was exponentially worse than it was in the Fall. It felt like it was nonstop raining, cold, and grey nearly the entire semester.

Festivities—In my opinion, the Spring doesn't have nearly as much to offer as far as festivities go. There might be some local markets and festivals, but nothing as major as the Fall's Oktoberfest and Christmas markets.

Planning for the summer—If you haven't solidified your summer plans prior to the Spring Semester, it can be stressful to be abroad whilst conducting internship interviews or struggling to make online job connections.

More students—Both a pro and a con, the popularity of studying abroad in the Spring Semester can be troublesome. With friend groups and cliques persisting, this semester can feel limiting for those of us who went abroad to create new experiences.

Expenses $$$—Since there are more students studying abroad, and because March sees a rise in tourism with Spring Breakers, in-demand fares means it's more expensive to travel in the Spring Semester.

Personality Dependent

If I had to give my verdict, I'd say I preferred studying abroad in the Fall versus the Spring.

This can vary depending on the person, though, so here is a stereotyping of the individual who studies abroad in the Fall vs. the Spring:

Fall

Solo study abroad students

More private schools than the Spring

Students of the Arts

Easier to make new friends

Spring

Friend groups studying abroad

More SEC/public schools than the Fall

Students from "traditional" colleges

Convenient if you come with others

Final Thoughts

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