Advice from college counselors and students about moving abroad for college

While students choosing to spend a semester abroad is nothing new, completing a full degree abroad has been less common in the past, he said. But when you consider the cost and the fact that you still can get a job in the U.S. with an international degree, it becomes “extremely attractive,” he continued.

Here’s some advice from college counselors and students who have made the move.

1. Choose the right faculty for you

Wanting to go abroad for school is one thing – deciding which college to go to is a whole other story.

“It’s really important to think about the type of environment you want,” Kaplan said. For example, students may ask themselves whether they would prefer to live in a university town or an urban college.

Additionally, students should think about what industry they want to be exposed to, Kaplan said. The location of the school can be a gateway to certain industries. London, for example, is great for students interested in finance, while Stockholm is ideal for students interested in the technology industry, he added.

“There are thousands of universities in Europe, but when we start to focus on what we want from that education, it really allows us to narrow down the list to something more manageable,” he said.

2. Recognize that other parts of the world work differently

When applying for college abroad, it’s essential to keep in mind the different requirements for your application.

“In some countries, the education system is much more centralized. They tend to go by some pretty hard values. So testing is much more important,” said Robert Harry, associate director of college counseling at the Kent School. a Connecticut boarding school.

In addition, Harry advised students to make sure their degrees are American accredited, especially if they are interested in pursuing a career in law or medicine.

“If your goal is to then come back to America, you have to be very careful with your degrees and qualifications, some of which may not transfer when you come back,” he said.

3. It’s never too early to start planning

After getting the test scores, the next priority would be to determine and develop an academic passion, Kaplan said.

“The more experiences a person has in their field of interest, the stronger their application will be. This can be achieved through forward planning,” he said.

Harry agreed. Unlike in the US, where you might apply to a college or university in general, you often apply to study a specific subject at an overseas college. “So you have to show them that you have the foundational knowledge to be successful,” he said.

For example, a student interested in economics can read books about different economies around the world or watch columnists write about the topic, he said.

In addition, while looking for opportunities abroad, Harry advised that he should apply to at least four to six American institutions as a backup option.

4. Consider your finances

Sharon Butler, executive vice president of global education at Flywire, a global payment platform used largely for international student fees, said that while universities abroad may offer cheaper tuition, students should also consider peripheral costs such as visas, insurance and medical tests. While these costs may not immediately come to mind, they can add up.

“Beyond rent, look at day-to-day costs like food, transportation, health care and living costs,” said Butler, who works with students who want to move abroad for school.

Creating a budget is crucial, she said. Parents should work with prospects students to determine the estimated out-of-pocket cost for the family and devise a strategy to cover it.

“This advice is relevant to anyone attending university, but is especially important when moving outside the US, where payment processes can be more complicated,” she added.

5. Get yourself in the right headspace

Once the decision to study abroad has been made, it’s important to get into the right mindset.

Amanda Mrozek, who transferred from a college in Michigan to Cologne in 2021, said she wasn’t prepared for the big difference between schools in the US and Germany. “I knew it would be different, but it was kind of a shock when you’re alone there,” she told BI.

Harry agreed that it was important to mentally prepare. “It won’t be a typical American college experience that all your friends will be talking about. You will most likely be in the minority of children going abroad,” he said.

“Recognize that your experience will be a little different, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less rich or rewarding,” he added.

6. Remember you won’t be gone forever

Kaplan said that while many students worry about being homesick, they should remember that studying abroad is not the same as permanent immigration. “If you want to go back to the US, you can,” he said.

Homesickness was one of the hardest aspects of moving abroad for Scarlett Kiaras-Atti, who graduated from high school in Kentucky and moved to Scotland for college in 2018. “But it’s manageable and you can get over it” , Kiaras-Atti said. who added that she texts and calls her family often.

“Your hometown will always be there and always waiting to welcome you back,” she said.