For generations, many of the school’s students have followed a well-traveled path: taking challenging course loads and applying to some of the many highly ranked U.S. colleges. This path, as successful as it can be, is also accompanied by a skyrocketing tuition and a college admissions process that increasingly fosters competitiveness and anxiety. Most students still do not consider going to college outside of the U.S., even though it offers a refreshing alternative — one that is less costly, relieves much of the stress of competition and is no less academically impressive.
American colleges are famously expensive, with most private institutions costing more than $40,000 a year excluding the cost of housing, meals, books and transportation, according to CollegeData.com. Even public colleges in California, though much less expensive , still have an average cost of around $14,000 a year for in-state students, according to University of California. In comparison, tuition for public universities in countries such as Germany and Norway is often free other than a small administrative fee, according to Masters Portal. France and Italy are also home to noteworthy universities with tuition averaging under $10,000 per year, according to Masters Portal. Additionally, when living abroad, traveling to neighboring countries becomes significantly easier and less expensive because of well-connected transportation networks and lower regional travel costs. Universities in the U.S often lack this luxury because of raised travel costs and a larger distance to nearby countries. Going to school abroad will make education as well as exploration of the world considerably more accessible.
Affordability is not the only benefit of applying to college overseas. The American admissions process is well known as a pressure cooker — applicants are expected to juggle flawless GPAs, SAT scores, extracurriculars, leadership roles and capture all of it in their applications. International universities, however, often use a straightforward admissions approach: if you meet the criteria for the school — whether that be a high school diploma, minimum GPA or standardized test scores — you are in. This method eliminates the endless stream of essays or the need to trade sleep for another item on your activities list. Additionally, international schools are extremely transparent with these requirements which helps to eliminate some of the uncertainty and pressure of applying.
Countries such as the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands have institutions which are regularly ranked among the world’s best such as University College London, Imperial College London and The University of Amsterdam. These universities have rigorous academics, advanced research and plenty of opportunities for internships and global networking, according to Masters Portal. These schools often feature smaller class sizes, personalized instruction and opportunities to engage with global perspectives. Alternatively, universities in the U.S are typically composed of lecture-style classes with larger class sizes, with the exception of liberal arts colleges.
The chance to study alongside students from diverse cultural backgrounds fosters multi-cultural understanding and helps to broaden intellectual horizons. Employers value this global outlook, as well: 59% of employers said international experience would be a valuable aspect in an individual’s career at their company, according to a study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A semester or year abroad can also offer international experiences and foster personal and professional growth, but it does not provide the same level of immersion and lasting connections as completing all four years abroad.
Of course, the decision to move abroad for undergraduate education does not come without challenges. Moving to another country entails language barriers, adjusting to different cultural norms and leaving behind the comfort of home. However, for students just entering young adulthood, the challenges of adjusting to a new environment can be beneficial in learning self-reliance and resilience. Additionally, many universities offer courses in English and offer support for international students, including orientation programs and language training, according to Kings Education.
The deans should better help students navigate the application processes for international schools by providing workshops for seniors that explain the specific requirements for overseas universities and introduce juniors to international schools that they may not be familiar with during Junior Seminars. In addition, deans should make students aware of the strict AP test requirements at top universities like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Alerting students of these requirements earlier on in their high school careers will allow for more time to sign up and study for AP tests if they choose to apply internationally.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the advantages of studying abroad are becoming more apparent. By choosing to attend college in another country, students are offered affordable education, navigate less stressful admissions processes and pursue academic rigor while also experiencing the personal growth which comes with living internationally. For students feeling constrained by the high costs and competitiveness of U.S. colleges, exploring the options for schooling abroad could be the right choice.
