Episode #11: Joshua James of American Study Abroad Program LLC - Using the GI Bill to Study Overseas - a podcast by James Conner

Joshua James is a former US Army counterintelligence agent and currently pursuing his MBA in Aberdeen, Scotland.  After leaving the Army he worked as a contractor but found getting the positions he wanted difficult due to not having a college degree.  Having spent time visiting Europe he decided if was going to pursue a degree he was going to do it in Europe and eventually earned his bachelors in Romania.

In this episode Joshua talks with me about using the post-911 GI Bill to pay for college overseas; how to make sure your school of choice will be covered, what your entitlements are as a veteran, and how to prepare and ultimately execute your move overseas.  Joshua has also formed his own business along with his wife and another partner, the American Study Abroad Program (ASAP) which was established to be a network to help not only veterans but any Americans who wish to pursue overseas education.  During that part of the conversation Joshua talks about what his company does, why they do it, and what their plans for the company's future look like.

After an introduction and small talk, at the 13 minute mark we discuss finding English speaking programs in overseas schools an look at the language requirements countries may have.

20:30 Joshua talks about using the VA website site to find VA approved schools and if the program you want is not on an approved list, how to go about getting it approved for funding.

At minute 27:15 We discuss the differences between the US university system and some of the systems in Europe, mainly the emphasis on applied learning (in the military we would call this practical application), and Joshua gives advice on how to maximize your GI Bill with a 3 year degree program.

The 36:00 minute mark brings to the topic of monies - housing allowances and book grants.

Minute 48:30 introduces the American Study Abroad Program (ASAP), Joshua's company and what they do, how they can assist potential students or anyone wanting to relocate overseas.

At the 60:00 minute mark before the show closes out Joshua lays out the future of ASAP with the introduction of an "alumni" program, essentially a network of ASAP "graduates" who can help others not only ging to college overseas but also as a post degree resource for things that may job up such as wanting to stay in Europe or job hunting.

Link to the American Study Abroad Program: http://www.studyasap.com/

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