What You Need to Know About Going to College Abroad
Last Updated on March 1, 2022 by Jill Schwitzgebel
It’s nothing new for college students to study abroad. But, usually, American students only go for short terms, ranging from several weeks to a full semester. In fact, the number of students studying abroad for a year or less has been increasing rapidly – the number went up over 6%, to 341,751, in just two school years between 2015-16 and 2017-18. But, as college costs rise in the US, more students are thinking about going to college abroad to complete their entire undergraduate degree. The number of students completing their bachelors degrees overseas is up almost 70% from twenty years ago. While the pandemic has complicated international study, in 2021-22, numbers of students studying abroad began to rebound.
According to Beyond the States, there are over 1700 programs taught completely in English just in continental Europe! Bachelors Portal reports that there are over 5,600 degree programs being taught in English, in non-English-speaking countries worldwide. So, language is no longer a barrier for American students not fluent in another language.
But, why exactly are so many US students considering this option? Well, check out some of these benefits:
Costs
While there are numerous benefits to a global education for many careers, unsurprisingly, one of the major reasons is COST! Even when you factor in the costs of international travel, many times colleges abroad still come out ahead.
In many countries, like Germany, universities are free, even for students from overseas. And the cost-of-living there often beats that of college towns here in the States. In other countries, ranging from Thailand to Brazil, the tuition is nominal compared to what we are used to here. Students could study at the University of Milan, Italy for only $4000 in tuition.
In the United Kingdom, the most popular destination for American college students, tuition is similar to public universities in some states. For top students, who get into universities like Oxford, costs are still somewhat high, ranging from $22,000 up to over $30,000 depending on major. But, keep in mind that degrees there are completed in only three years, which brings down total costs. And, schools like Oxford, Cambridge, and University College London all have global reputations and would rank among the Ivy league universities in the States, for a significantly lower cost. Students also receive free healthcare coverage while they’re students there.
At Edinburgh and at St. Andrews in Scotland, American students will pay around $25,000 for non-STEM majors, but the degree program is four years, rather than three. While that may still be pricey, again, those universities are among the world’s most recognizable and respected, with a lower price tag than their equivalents in the US.
Financial Aid
Many universities abroad provide merit aid, just as they do here in the US. Additionally, some countries will also allow foreign students to apply for need-based aid. And, about 800 overseas institutions participate in our financial aid program here. So, many times, students can apply for US federal financial aid too.
Admission
American students also appreciate the straightforward process of applying to foreign universities. In the States, we are used to a holistic process that takes into account everything from the rigor of the curriculum to test scores to extracurriculars. While it varies by institution overseas, the process is generally much simpler with fewer factors considered. And there are no added considerations like early decision.
For instance, in Britain, all universities use the same application. Applicants list the five schools that they want to apply to on it and only need to write one common essay for their application. Then, they submit some test scores – a combination of the ACT or SAT, as well as AP test scores. It’s very easy to look at the university’s website and discover what the average scores are that are needed to gain entry to each institution. And then students submit one or two recommendations. Only Oxford and Cambridge require interviews. Schools there are not looking at students’ lists of extracurriculars and leadership experiences. And back to costs – the application fee is also significantly cheaper than most – currently $41 to apply to five institutions.
In other countries, the process is even simpler than that – there is one application for all colleges and students simply submit their test scores and GPA.
Intangible Benefits
Earning a bachelors degree abroad could open up a global career path. This might be particularly useful for students studying business, international relations, or politics. Students have the opportunity to make connections they may not make in the US. And being in another country gives American students the chance to explore other countries to learn about customs and cultures different than their own. It can be eye-opening! A degree from a college outside of the US shows future employers that they are willing to try new things and can handle challenges.
Being far from home likely means that the student has to learn to be more resourceful on their own. It’s a new adventure and one that’s likely to cultivate even more independence, more quickly than if they just lived in a college dorm at a school across the country in the US.
Drawbacks
So there are advantages to attending a college outside of the US. But there are also a few disadvantages to consider:
Paperwork
Students will have to make sure they’ve got a passport and apply for a visa, which sometimes can be a frustrating process. It’s also an added expense.
Transportation
Obviously, it costs more to fly overseas than it would for a student to drive to a college in the States.
Different Academic Environment
In the United States, it’s customary to take some general education and introductory classes for the first year or two of college. That gives students a chance to decide what they’re truly interested in and switch majors. In many countries, students will be expected to jump right into their major. And, there may not be a wide range of majors available, if they want to switch. Grading is also different. Rather than having multiple tests and assignments throughout a semester, students might have one exam a year which determines their whole grade. That system is not for everyone!
Different Social Environment
This may seem obvious. But keep in mind that college life abroad will not be the same as what students have always heard about at US colleges. There won’t necessarily be intercollegiate clubs and sports. The alcohol culture is likely to be different, as students can legally drink at a younger age in most other countries. Students say there is less binge drinking than in the US. And probably most importantly, if students are in a non-English speaking country, keep in mind that even if classes are in English, the language outside of class may not be!
Final Thoughts
If your child is interested in studying at a college abroad, don’t wait to begin exploring their options. You’ll want to be certain that you can find a program in English in their area of interest. You’ll also want to make sure that the college is accredited, which will possibly involve some research. A couple of websites that might be helpful to you as you’re getting started are: Beyond the States and StudyPortals. From there, you’ll want to check out individual institution’s websites.
Be sure to check out the cost-of-living in the countries your student is interested in. Though tuition may be cheap, housing and food might not be.
At the same time, encourage your student to also apply to colleges here in the US. I’ve seen many students change their mind about attending college far away when decision time nears. Any student who wants to apply to college abroad is likely fairly independent-minded to begin with, and may resist. Just remind them that sometimes things change and they need to be prepared.
Finally, make sure you get your own passport. You’re surely going to want to plan a trip to visit your student!
