Stephanie Farah
Former Writer and Senior Editor
CollegeXpress
Fiercely adventurous and independent students with strong academic records could benefit from adding one or two international schools to their college lists. Before you get on a flight out of the country, here are a few pros and cons to consider:
Pros of attending an international university
- The ultimate experience: Going to an international university gives American students an invaluable international experience. You'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a foreign culture and truly strike out on your own, which can translate into the self-reliance and initiative that are so attractive in job interviews. Plus, if you’re worried about grappling with a language barrier, you can pursue school in an English-speaking country.
- The surprising affordability: Many international institutions can be comparably less expensive than attending college in the US. For instance, a lot of schools in the UK also accept American financial aid, and there are thousands of institutional scholarships available for international students.
- The time savings: In many countries, bachelor's degrees take just three years to complete. You could use that saved year to either take a gap year before you begin your studies or to start your career a little early after graduating.
Cons of attending a college abroad
- The paperwork and red tape: Unfortunately, it's not possible to just jump on a plane and spend a few years in another country. A Tier 4 Student Visa will likely be needed, and admission to an international institution and proof of funds to support oneself are required before it will be granted. There are simply more hoops to jump through.
- There's no place like home: No matter how independent and culturally curious you may be, spending months on end more than an ocean away from home will inevitably take its toll. Before deciding to spend your entire collegiate career overseas, you should be mentally and emotionally prepared to leave behind your family, friends, and American culture for extended periods of time.
If you are applying to competitive and prestigious schools here in the States, consider throwing international universities into the mix. Who knows? If you're denied by one of your top choices, they could end up having the adventure of a lifetime!