Admissions Blog

Education While Traveling: The Benefits of Student Trips

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Anthony

Today, students are increasingly interested in traveling and exploring new places while studying. Student trips have become an exciting and effective way to allow students to learn and experience the world firsthand. As students mature cognitively, the holistic nature of a school trip adds to their education because they allow young people practice skills like teamwork, empathy, and solidarity, among others. In essence, trips are an ideal way for them to apply in the real world many of the skills and competencies taught in the classroom.

What Is a Student Trip and How Long Does It Last?

A student trip refers to an educational experience conducted outside the classroom, where students have the chance to learn firsthand about various topics by visiting historical, cultural, or natural sites and engaging with local communities.

The main goal is to provide a more comprehensive and interactive learning experience, fostering the development of social, intercultural, and leadership skills through interactions with people from different cultures.

The duration of a student trip can vary depending on the program, theme, and objectives. Some trips last only a few days or even hours, while others can span months or even up to a year, as in the case of long-term exchanges.

Envoys is an organization that designs programs directly in collaboration with schools. Their motto is “a belief in the transformative power of travel-based education.” Their mission “is to foster a generation of global citizens who lead with empathy and understanding.”

For Envoys, student trips are structured around key pillars that transform these journeys into impactful learning experiences. In an increasingly competitive world, empowering students to recognize their role as catalysts for change is a significant advantage. Building environmental responsibility through experiential learning and encouraging community involvement not only provides valuable tools but also shapes them into better human beings.

Traveling, whether for a short-term or long-term period, can offer numerous benefits for students. Here are some key advantages:

Short-term Trips:

Cultural Exposure:
- Even a brief trip can immerse you in different cultures, languages, and customs, broadening your perspective and understanding of the world.
Networking Opportunities:
- Short trips, especially if they involve academic conferences, workshops, or study tours, allow you to connect with professionals, academics, or peers in your field.
Stress Relief:
- A break from the academic rigor can rejuvenate your mind, reducing stress and potentially improving your academic performance upon return.
Practical Skills:
- Quick trips can teach you to adapt quickly, manage time efficiently, and navigate new environments, all valuable skills in both personal and professional life.
Resume Boost:
- Experiences like international internships or short study abroad programs can distinguish your resume, showing future employers your initiative and adaptability.

Long-term Trips:

In-depth Cultural Immersion:
- Longer periods allow for a deeper understanding of culture, which can lead to fluency in a new language, a more profound appreciation of cultural nuances, and personal growth.
Academic and Career Development:
- Semesters or years abroad often include academic credits that can count towards your degree. Long-term study abroad or work experiences can also lead to job offers or further career opportunities abroad.
Independence and Self-Discovery:
- Living in a new country for an extended period fosters independence, resilience, and self-confidence as you tackle life’s challenges without the familiar support systems.
Global Perspective:
- Being away for an extended time helps you see your own culture and country from an outside viewpoint, enriching your global awareness and empathy.
Personal Relationships:
- Long-term stays enable the formation of lasting friendships and networks with people from different parts of the world, which can be invaluable personally and professionally.

Both types of trips encourage stepping out of your comfort zone, which is crucial for personal development in the college years. They also add unique experiences to your life story, enhancing your narrative in both personal and professional contexts. However, the choice between short-term and long-term would depend on your academic schedule, financial situation, and personal goals.

Education

Envoys collaborates with schools and local partners to ensure that its programs align with the school curriculum and home life for both parties. The key to this experience is teaching valuable skills and mindsets while promoting a deeper understanding of learning.

Development

Eighty percent of Envoys’ program providers are small, locally-owned businesses, and they prioritize partnerships with women-owned and women-led organizations whenever possible.

Envoys seeks to have a positive and sustainable impact on the communities they work with. Their goal is to address issues of equity and social justice and to develop capacity and empower all involved whenever possible.

Environment

The Envoys team examines and works to mitigate each program’s impact on the natural world, evaluating the relative benefits and costs of non-renewable resources and engaging with natural spaces. Additionally, they partially offset the impact of the study program through carbon offsets.

The Importance of Destinations and Programs

When choosing, there are two key aspects to consider: the type of program and the destination. For instance, if a student is more interested in the arts, they may lean toward a destination like Paris or London. Knowing a student’s preference is essential, as it will shape the entire trip. Envoys offers a broad range of destinations worldwide, both within and outside the United States.

Regardless of the choice, all programs are built on the same pillars. These criteria have been carefully selected to ensure transformative experiences that equip students with essential tools for personal development, university applications, and optimal career growth

Transformative Education: Envoys programs emphasize the importance of practical and immersive learning, equipping students with everything they need for personal transformation and to develop a global perspective.

Personalization and Flexibility: Envoys is committed to tailoring each program to meet the expectations of both the school and students, customizing itineraries and projects for the best experience.

Focus on Educational Outcomes: These programs focus on how travel reinforces the curriculum and fosters key competencies such as communication and leadership, both essential for students’ future success.

Social and Cultural Engagement: Programs integrate impactful social projects, promoting cultural understanding and community engagement. These skills help broaden students’ perspectives, providing them with meaningful tools for the future.

Washington, DC: One of the Most Sought-After Destinations

Washington, DC, is the birthplace of American history. It’s no surprise that student trips to Washington, DC, are among the most popular programs. This program begins by exploring the National Mall and its monuments, then moves on to focus on the successes and challenges of American democracy.

The trip focuses on historical legacies that students not only study theoretically but also explore through practical exercises that help them gain a deeper understanding of the country’s history. Some places include the National Mall, the Supreme Court, a guided tour of the Capitol, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Mall.

The social aspect is also very important, so students visit the National Coalition for the Homeless, where they can learn about its work.

The World Belongs to Those Who Travel

In a world where information is rapid and unfiltered, visiting, studying, and experiencing is a unique way of learning. This teaching method aims to put into practice what students have previously seen in the classroom, preparing them to face the world as capable adults.

Of course, theory is not irrelevant. As in most areas of life, theory and practice are the yin and yang of learning: both are necessary to achieve the best results.

Envoys holds a commitment as its guiding principle: to act with respect, and purpose, and leave a positive impact. Traveling is more than just moving from place to place; it’s about creating experiences that shape people who leave a profound impact. Today’s youth is the foundation of tomorrow. Training them to carry that responsibility with dignity and seriousness is one of the goals of this journey.

Five Reasons to Choose to Study for a Higher National Diploma

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Alfie Donnan Leave a Comment

Beyond the age of 18, continuing in education becomes entirely voluntary. There are good reasons for and against. For many people, all they want to do when they leave school or college is get a job and gain the independence of earning for themselves. And besides, continuing your studies can be expensive.

On the other hand, higher education can give your career prospects a significant boost. The time and money you invest now can lead directly to higher earning potential further down the line. And depending on what you want to do for a career, you might have to gain further qualifications, anyway.

Deciding to carry on or return to education isn’t something to be done on a whim. You should be clear about the benefits. For many people, that means asking directly – how is this going to help me in terms of getting a job and progressing my career? In a very literal sense, what will the pay off be?

That’s why higher national diplomas (HNDs) are such a popular choice among people who don’t see degree-level study as quite right for them (or at least, not right at that particular time). Rated as a Level 5 qualification on the UK’s Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF), a HND is only a step down from a bachelor’s degree (Level 6). Far from being a ‘soft’ option, a HND is an advanced and highly regarded qualification.

Just as importantly, a HND provides a genuine alternative to academic-focused degrees. Built around practical, hands-on learning and assessment, HNDs are not just ‘vocational’ in the sense that their subject matter links directly to a particular industry or career. Their entire purpose is to develop skills and aptitudes that are transferred directly to the workplace.

Here are five reasons why a HND might be the right choice for you.

Boost your chances of employment

If you’re a school or college leaver, a HND will significantly increase your chances of finding work. While there is nothing wrong with having A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications) on your CV, especially if you get good grades, higher qualifications make you stand out from the crowd. And with a vocational qualification like a HND, employers will know you already have skills they are looking for, and that you have developed them in practical, real-world scenarios, including through work experience.

Develop skills that will boost your opportunities in a chosen career

As well as giving you a head start in finding work, HNDs also help you make rapid progress in your chosen career. Again, it comes down to the fact that HNDs offer programmes of study that are directly linked to particular career paths and industries. The focus on practical skills and real-world application means you hit the ground running when you enter the workplace, allowing you to make a positive contribution from the off. Plus, you’re already primed to learn and develop in that particular environment, which helps you make rapid progress and show you are ready to take on more and more responsibilities.

Study as you work

You don’t have to take an HND before you enter a particular job role or profession for it to make a difference to your career prospects. HNDs are popular with people who are already in work and see a return to education as a means of helping them take the next step. As well as being vocationally relevant, skills-focused and hands-on, HND courses are also highly flexible. If you are working, you can easily study part time. Plus, you can use your experiences in your current role as part of the learning and assessment process, building a portfolio of achievement to help demonstrate your progress through the course.

Get a high level qualification even if you don’t feel a degree is right for you

It’s easy to get drawn into believing that bachelor’s degrees are the be all and end all of higher education. They certainly get the lion’s share of attention. But the idea that, if a degree isn’t right for you then higher education isn’t right for you, is more than inaccurate. It excludes tens of thousands of people from bettering themselves through continued study.

A HND is a rigorous, very well respected qualification. They suit people more than degrees for all sorts of reasons. We’ve already talked about the focus on practical learning and hands-on, work-related application. If your ambitions for taking a higher education are closely tied to a particular career path or preparing yourself for work, then a HND may well be a better option. Also, HND’s don’t have as strict entry requirements as degrees, providing an option for higher study even if you didn’t get the grades to get on a degree course.

Open the door to further study

Finally, choosing a HND keeps your options open. It’s great preparation for the world of work or for getting ahead in a particular career. But if you do want to continue in education beyond that, for example by completing a degree, you can do so. A HND counts as ‘two-thirds’ of a degree, and you have the option to complete that final third with a one-year ‘top-up’ course.

Again, if you didn’t get the A-Level grades to jump straight onto a degree course, this means you still have a route available.

Notre Dame Now Accepting Summer 2023 Pre-College Program Applications

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Craig Meister Leave a Comment

Applications for Summer 2023 programming on University of Notre Dame’s campus, online, and abroad are now live – even though it’s only October 2022!

High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply for these programs, which introduce participants to college life, give students a chance to earn college credit, and provide Notre Dame a valuable revenue stream. With that said, financial aid and grants are also available.

The selection of programs is quite impressive, and now that the shadow of the pandemic has lifted, I encourage students who are interested to take a serious look at Notre Dame’s impressive international offerings in Italy, South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Yet, the Indiana-based and online programming offerings are intriguing as well since they seem to be taught by Notre Dame faculty. The most important consideration of students making summer plans is to engage in challenging opportunities in which they have real interest. Sometimes that interest is new and can’t be explored during the school year. Other times that interest is ongoing and the opportunity represents a new way to pursue it relative to the way the student has pursued it so far. In either case, the student will get more out of the experience if he or she is truly invested in the content the program is going to explore, and Notre Dame certainly provides a lot of content that would be interesting to a lot of students.

Often the most selective summer programs fill up by December of January; therefore, if certain summer programs with Notre Dame or other universities are of interest to you, remember the oft-repeated maxim, “the early bird gets the worm,” and don’t wait to apply tomorrow – do it today. Good luck.

Learn all about being an undergrad in the UK

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Craig Meister Leave a Comment

Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. If this describes how you are feeling right about now and you are an American or Canadian high school student, NOW is the time to seriously consider and start researching options for completing your undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom.

“But how do I go about do that?” you ask? “I wouldn’t know where to begin!” you declare.

Start by signing up for the invaluable TH!NKUK event running from January 18 through 22, 2021.

TH!NKUK is like a massive multi-day virtual college information session, and it will be the largest scale event organized specifically by UK universities for a North American audience this year. TH!NKUK highlights diverse higher education opportunities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and will cover everything from how to submit UCAS applications to what it’s like to arrive in the UK as an international student. Best of all, participants will have the chance to engage with International Admissions Officers, academics, current UK university students from North America, and UK university alumni.

This flier highlights all of the participating UK universities, the huge range of sessions available and schedule, and – most importantly – the link to register.

Students, parents, and high school counselors are encouraged to attend to learn more about studying in the UK.

Before or after attending, here are five ways applying to attend college in the UK is different from applying to attend college in the US.

Long time readers of admissions.blog know that I’ve often said that there are at least two great reasons for Americans to get their degree in the UK.

What’s that you say? The UK is not exotic enough for you? Here are four reasons to consider going to college in Europe and an introduction to going to college in France.

Though so much has changed in the last year, high school students need to remember that the world is your oyster! Don’t settle for an American college degree if it’s not a good fit for you. Research until you find your ideal post-secondary path. Good luck!

An introduction to attending college in France and beyond

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Craig Meister Leave a Comment

While many students dream of studying abroad for a semester in college, fewer students seem ready to take the plunge of completing their entire college or university experience in a foreign country. Yet, from my experience working with students and families, the main reason students don’t consider earning their degrees abroad is the perceived complexity of doing so. People in general like to follow the pack and do what others are doing. With relatively few peers or family members earning their degrees abroad it goes to figure that many students can’t imagine themselves doing it themselves – even if they are intrigued by the prospect of doing so.

As I’ve shared previously, there are huge benefits of going to college in Europe or at least engaging in a summer program in Europe. With that said, researching college options in one’s home country can be complicated enough; researching degree programs located in a foreign country is often a bridge too far for even capable and proactive students. Adventurous and internationally-minded students and families need a strong primer or orientation to their foreign degree options in order to get moving in the right direction. Luckily, for those interested in studying in France in particular, but also a handful of other exciting locations, The Association of American Women in Europe has published a great user-friendly resource: the second edition of Beyond the Bac – Higher Education in France and Abroad. This unique “all-in-one” resource is ideal for international students considering higher education in France, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, or Australia. The title of the book pays homage to the French Baccalaureate, also known as “le Bac,” which is an intensive national examination taken by French students at the end of high School (lycée in French). Completing the Bac is the typical mode by which French students transition to higher education.

Beyond the Bac opens with a detailed look at the structure and workings of the higher education system in France, degrees and diplomas, the costs, and application procedures. It also explains the diversity of French higher education, which includes universities, prépas, grandes, écoles, law and medical studies, and the numerous specialized schools for business, the arts, film, and fashion. Readers learn about studying in France and the EU – in French or in English – as well how to pursue graduate studies in France. The book even has a glossary that translates relevant higher education-related acronyms and French terms.

The book then explores options for bilingual students who wish to pursue higher education in English speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, UK, Netherlands and Australia. Chapters on each country address the education system, application procedures, deadlines, costs, and financial aid.

For students seeking to work or explore other interests, a chapter covers numerous gap year possibilities in France, the U.S., and around the world. Tips and personal anecdotes from students provide an inside look into various educational paths.

All in all Beyond the Bac is exactly the orientation to foreign study that many students and families need to gain the confidence to think outside the box and pursue post-secondary education goals that may very well take them beyond borders.

Best Summer Programs in Europe for High School Students

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Craig Meister Leave a Comment

For many high school students, summer is a time to disconnect from school year stress. For many parents of high school students, summer is a time fraught with anxiety over whether their teens are “making the most” of their time away from school. How sad! Whether your are a student or a parent, please don’t sweat summer.

Even if you are a student or parent who has no money to your name, there are plenty of ways high school students can stay active and engaged over the summer while developing their interests and building important life skills.

Yet, if you do have some dollars to spare, there are some wonderfully enriching summer programs for high school students out there – and I mean way out there – in Europe. My three current favorites are detailed below.

These programs will give curious, adventurous, intellectual, and inquisitive high school students the chance to burst out of the often-banal high school classroom and into the “old world” in order to engage in an amazing experiential learning opportunity that will be both perspective-expanding and a chance to take a deep dive into preexisting interests. This is so important because no matter what a student does over the summer, it should present value added to both the student and to colleges the student may want to apply to later.

Before we start the countdown, an important disclaimer: exploring pre-existing interests deeply over the summer in Europe seems like a win-win to me; however, the following list won’t be for everyone, and it shouldn’t be. The most important thing for students and parents to remember is that students should pursue their passions deeply over the summer. If they can’t afford to take part in the programs below, that’s fine! They still should develop skills and knowledge over the summer that can only come through some sort of immersive summer experience. Again, I detail some closer to home and dirt-cheap options here.

But, without further ado, for the purposes of why we are here today, let’s hop on the plane to Europe!

#3. TASIS: The American School in Switzerland Summer Programs

Student taking part in TASIS summer program in Lugano, Switzerland

In 1956, M. Crist Fleming founded The American School in Switzerland, the first American boarding school in Europe, in order to apply the American independent school tradition to Europe. All these years later, the school has grown leaps and bounds, and other TASIS schools operate in England and Puerto Rico. TASIS’ summer course options in Switzerland really wow me.

Students pick one class from a diversity of options, which means that a diversity of students will be intermingling on this lovely southern Swiss campus for the duration of your stay. Class options offered recently include Intensive Italian, Fine Art Portfolio, Lean Startup Masterclass, Architecture & Design, and Fashion & Textile Design . My favorite option, however, is La Cucina Italiana: Italian Cooking, in which students learn to cook authentic Italian food after choosing ingredients at local Italian markets, touring Italian cheese and meat factories, practicing knife skills, and learning how to perfectly balance spices.

Why I love this program: As a former “undecided” student as I began my college career, TASIS’ diverse offerings speak to the undecided teen in all of us, and the overall program certainlys attract a diverse mix of summer students from all over the world. Students need more opportunities to simply try something new and meet peers with diverse interests, and TASIS’ Switzerland summer program certainly allows for that in a location that can’t be beat. If you can’t get inspired to learn more about yourself and the world around you while on TASIS’ Lugano campus, you can’t get inspired anywhere. Another upshot of this program is that all high school students, no matter their grade level, are able to take part.

Who it’s perfect for: Students taking part in this program should have the desire to immerse themselves in one course and maybe one sport (sports cost extra but include Milan Academy Scuola Calcio, Olimpia Milano Basketball, and Crossfit) in the unsurpassed setting that is Lugano, Switzerland, which is also a wonderful jumping off point for educational European excursions near and far. Students who are undecided on their path in college and beyond will find something to try at TASIS over the summer and have the chance to do so in an environment that seems almost too perfect and made for life-long memories. Students whose interests align with one of the course offerings are in the unique position to build upon this preexisting interest in the company of peers who may have very different academic and personal interests but who share an interest in spending time in the pre-Alps over the summer.

Learn More: Click here.

Alternative worth considering: TASIS also has intriguing summer options for high school students in England, France (see more below), and Puerto Rico.

#2. University of Notre Dame: Pre-College Program in Ireland

High school students taking part in Notre Dame’s pre-college program

It shouldn’t be so surprising that the Fighting Irish run a summer travel tour seminar worth one college credit for rising high school seniors in Ireland. Notre Dame’s Pre-College Program in Ireland allows rising high school seniors to explore “bustling Dublin,” “bucolic Connemara,” edgy Belfast, and so much more during a twelve-day jaunt through the Emerald Isle.

“Guided by Notre Dame faculty and local scholars, students will embark on an exploration of Irish culture, history, and landscape through what Notre Dame’s O’Connell House calls ‘learning through the soles of your feet.'”

Why I love this program: It’s pretty immersive in terms of ground covered and it’s pretty cool that students live and learn at the Kylemore Abbey Global Center, which is right next to a castle, during the last leg of the program.

Who it’s perfect for: Students taking part in this program should have demonstrated academic achievement in high school and some sort of preexisting interest in Ireland, Irish Heritage, Irish History, Catholicism, Protestantism, place-based learning, European culture and/or History, 20th Century History, European History, the British Isles, castles, and/or the Northern Ireland Peace Process in order to get the most out of this experience and in order to have it align with other activities they’ve pursued in the past.

Learn More: Overview and More Details

Alternative worth considering: Notre Dame also has a summer program for rising high school seniors in Rome.

#1. The New School: Parsons Paris Pre-College Studies

Sunset in Paris, France

If you are an artist, there are few better places to visit for inspiration than Paris, France. Did you know that Parsons School of Design, part of The New School in New York City, has a campus in Paris where rising high school juniors and seniors – they must be sixteen by the time the program begins – have a variety of summer art course options from which to choose? The immersive courses of study at Parsons Paris last just over three weeks in July and cover topics ranging from “Explorations in Drawing,” “Fashion Design Process,” and “Fashion Photography: History and Process” to “Graphic Design Workshop,” “Introduction to Design and Management,” and “Fashion Illustration.”

Why I love this program: This program is for serious artists; each class meets daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so it’s for those who are energized by developing their craft. All Parsons Paris Summer Intensive Studies courses are not only educational in their own right; each course counts for three college credits and may also be used by students to develop a portfolio for their upcoming college admissions process. Students also have the chance to take part in excursions, including crepe tastings.

Who it’s perfect for: Students taking part in this program should have demonstrated artistic achievement in high school and some sort of preexisting interest in Art generally or specifically fashion, fashion merchandising, drawing, graphic design, photography, and/or art history in order to get the most out of this experience and in order to have it align with other activities they’ve pursued in the past.

Learn More: Overview

Alternatives worth considering: If you don’t need to be in France, but want a lot of what Parsons Paris’ summer courses offer, Parsons also has a pre-college/intensive summer programs for high school students at its main campus in New York City. Meanwhile, if you would love to spend several weeks intensely pursuing your passion for art in France but don’t need to be in cosmopolitan Paris, TASIS (mentioned more above) has an intimate one-of-a-kind at program in the south of France called Les Taipes, which accepts an extremely limited number of students each summer.

4 Reasons Students Should Consider Going to College in Europe

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Craig Meister

High school students analyzing America’s higher education landscape today are wise to question whether it makes sense to pursue a degree at a college or university that is overpriced, ideologically stifling, and socially antithetical to their personal values. Yet, if they are serious about acquiring valuable knowledge for their career goals and for overall self-improvement, students should not cower at the thought of earning the exact degree they want wherever they want to earn it. While in most cases, young Americans will only consider college or university options in America, the good, and somewhat surprising news to many, is that there are terrific – and even superior – higher education options beyond America’s borders. In fact, young Americans may be better off spending their entire undergraduate careers in Western Europe instead of the United States of America. Here are four reasons why:

Earn Your Degree in 3 Years Instead of 4 Years

Why spend four years at Yale, Harvard, or Princeton when you could spend three years at Oxford, Cambridge, or Imperial College London? The standard undergraduate degree takes a good year longer to complete in the U.S. than it does in England, where the standard undergraduate degree is typically completed in three years. In fact, across Europe, many degrees are doable in only three years. Why does it take longer in the U.S.? Well, that’s mainly because in England and across Europe universities…

Don’t Waste Your Time on Required General Education or ‘Diversity’ Courses

In America it has become standard for large public research universities, small liberal arts colleges, and everything in between to require students to complete general education and distribution requirements that have little to nothing to do with their major area of study. This means that if you are an Engineering major you may still need to take a course in the social sciences in order to earn your degree. If you are Math major you may still need to take a required diversity course to meet graduation requirements. If you are an Economics major you may still need to fulfill a foreign language requirement before you receive your diploma. You get the idea.

Taking even a few required courses that you have no interest in adds up fast – so fast that soon you find yourself paying for an entire year of tuition that has nothing to do with your intended career or major area of interest. In Europe, especially in England, every class you take will be in your major (or as they call it, course) area. If you are studying History, every course you take will be related to History. If you want to immerse yourself in Business, all courses you take from day one until the day you graduate will educate you about business.

Male students in particular are often not as inclined to multitask as female students; therefore, men, pay attention: England’s style of higher education is best suited for the student who knows exactly what he (or she) wants to study and who does not want to mess around with subjects that are tangential to his (or her) goals. It’s one thing to get a broad-based education in high school; college is arguably the ideal time to focus on a very narrow subject deeply. Sadly, most undergraduate institutions in the U.S. don’t permit students to delve as deeply and fully into subject areas as their counterparts in England because of the many other academic requirements U.S. colleges and universities place upon their students.

Pay Less Money Than You’d Ever Expect for a European Degree

The retail price of Europe’s top universities is often far less than the retail price of tuition at America’s top universities. In many cases college is free to European citizens, which promotes great economic diversity of students attending European universities. In addition, many universities in England and throughout Europe participate in the U.S. Federal Student Aid Program, which allows American students to take out loans similar to the ones they would be taking out to attend U.S. colleges anyway. In Germany, college is essentially free to all non-citizens – even Americans, and one may not even need to learn German to study in Germany, as increasingly entire undergraduate degree programs in Germany are offered in English.

Expose Yourself to Amazing Experiences and Diversity Outside of the Classroom

If you are studying in a big American city you can of course go out to dinner at a great French restaurant or hit up the clubs in the trendy part of town. If you are studying in London, you can spend your entire weekend in Paris, Budapest, or Seville. In Europe, centuries worth of the culture and history of Western Civilization beckon around nearly every corner. While the U.S. is fascinating and filled with important sites and dynamic culture, if you are from the U.S., college is an ideal time when you could be exposing yourself to a life unlike any you have experienced in the past or will experience again in the future. Europe offers you just this sort of experience.

While many American colleges boast of diversity when pointing to the race, state of residence, or country of citizenship of their students, it is obvious to anyone who looks at the situation critically that such diversity is often superficial at best. At top American colleges especially, no matter a student’s race, state of residence, or country of citizenship, he or she is far more likely to be a son or daughter of a doctor, lawyer, investment banker, politician, or owner of a major company than he or she is to be the son or daughter of a farmer, factory worker, waitress, construction worker, or truck driver. Your college years should be the time to gain exposure to a greater diversity of people and perspectives than you ever could gain exposure to in high school or may ever be able to have access to again upon entering the world of work. Studying in Europe will allow you to do just that, as European universities attract students from all economic levels and all corners of the Earth because of their relative affordability and quality.

If you are studying in a small town in the U.S. your most likely social options each weekend will consist of getting drunk or staying sober in the dorms or off-campus with middle or upper class peers. As mentioned previously, in Europe, university students often come from a greater number of countries, cultures, and classes, and these individuals’ ideal diversions often does not come in the form of getting drunk at frat parties or at pre-game or post-game parties on and around campus. If you have had any social life in high school, college social life in the U.S. has a very real feeling of ‘been there, done that’ with a splash of greater excess. European students’ ideal form of socialization is on average more sophisticated than that of their peers in the U.S. both because of Europe’s lower legal drinking ages and more diverse social preferences.

Bottom Line

Going to college in Europe often means attending class with and living nearby students who are more focused on their academic and professional goals and who socialize in myriad ways that average American students would never even consider on their college campuses. Europe is not for everyone; however, if you find yourself unhappy with or underwhelmed by your undergraduate study options in the U.S., you should seriously consider crossing the pond and challenging yourself to a style of education and a social environment utterly distinct from what you would likely experience at most colleges and universities in the U.S.