Summer abroad?

You're thinking about it the wrong way. Don't obsess about what recruiters will think, obsess more about how a summer abroad would make you a more interesting candidate. Plus, it sounds like you really want to do it, no?

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate. I'd do it! Screw what recruiters think.

I think it's very worthwhile.

Every interviewer I had asked about my summer abroad experience (I spent time in Asia)

do you put that you studied abroad on your resume?

Think about it this way...

Put down a list of things you would find interesting as a recruiter, and do one, two, or three of those things.

Doing a summer course at the LSE, then some volunteerwork or clerking for a law office or boutique somewhere would be great.

You don't have to only do one thing, remember that.

YES... put it on your resume

i.e.

University of @%@#$%@$ - Bachelor of !@#$!@#$

Study Abroad @#$%@#$%@#$ -Undertook study in $#%@ country @#$%@$ semester and year

Work Experience -

Interests-

The study abroad thing can make you look interesting

Like a UT degree with study abroad at Oxford or Cambridge

That shows your interest in education, travel...

It would be great to study abroad since it would almost be a free vacation. Sure, I would enjoy the experience and it would add to my overall education, but I don't want this decision to somehow jeopardize my chances of landing a respectable job. I'd love to travel and explore but I also have my career interests in mind and I'm just wondering if this would give the impression that I'm uncertain about what I want to do since it is not finance related.

It will change you.

You might chalk it up as just a fun experience and come back home and that's great. You will see another culture, learn a lot about your own culture and yourself, meet new people, etc.

That's great.

Or it may affect you more profoundly, as it did me. Ever since my first time leaving the country at 19 I've loved living abroad.

So DO IT! And I agree with the other posts above, who gives a crap about banking. Have some fun.

Be true to yourself and your interests and you will eventually land in the right profession for you.

Albatross...

Remember, you're only in college once. As long as you don't commit any crimes, have good grades and EC's, then you'll have a shot at a banking job.

You seemed too worried man, even to study abroad. As long as you don't screw up full time interviews, then studying abroad is one of the best parts of college. As an American, I can tell you that you will be SO much more respected with a little international flair, talking to people who haven't left the country (and your trip to MExico for Spring Break doesn't count for what I'm talking about) just don't come across as worldly, cool, and SMART as people who have.

Take the dive dude. By the way, I studied abroad with a kid whose mom sent him the WSJ every week to Europe, I thought this kid was so gay for not letting it rest for one semester. He didn't get into a BB by the way, and he was way too serious. You'll become an 'adult' soon enough, don't be like this kid I'm talking about.

Studying abroad was one of the best experiences I've had. Made me much more hireable too I beleive. Much more cultured, more perspectives to offer, greater thought processes and improved logical thinking by being able to touch on different view points.

I didnt manage to study abroad, due to the rigors of my schedule. I wish I had, but I don't think the study abroad experience will make or break you either way. If it fits in your schedule and you want the experience, go for it. I'm sure you will have a good time.

I was always asked about studying abroad. And I went abroad in a lot of different ways: one summer volunteering, one summer doing research, and a semester abroad. I got asked about all of them, even though only the study abroad was really relevant to banking.

I guess having a really tough time landing a SA in banking this year made me really nervous about Full-time offers. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm about 75% sure I'm going to do it.

Studying abroad is a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people. Have you considered a study abroad program with an internship? Some programs place you in investment banks and some even offer full time positions back in New York if they like you.

One thing you should definitely NOT do is study abroad during a key recruiting season. This is spring semester of your junior year and fall semester of your senior year.

I've seen posts on here from people saying "I was studying abroad, and now it appears I've missed the whole interview season." This is obviously not the spot you want to be in.