For most college students taking a leap into adulthood may prove to hold obstacles, but for one student typical obstacles of college were existent of course, but multiply these obstacles with a cultural barrier on top of that. Along with trying to make a completely new country her home, adding the attempt to mimic the ways others dress and talk in order to seem more like a local and less like a foreigner who sticks out like a sore thumb was a genuine experience for international college student Jada Reddy.
As summer ends and fall begins, thousands of recent high school graduates embark on a new journey of college. Meeting new friends, moving to a new dorm, taking new classes, are all different experiences some new students go through as their whole life changes. But what if on top of all these possible worries you added speaking a new language onto it. Or maybe completely immersing yourself in an environment and culture that is entirely different from your own. While this may sound scary getting past this may open up one to an entire new schooling option of international schools.
Going abroad may be a big step to take, especially as a new adult, however this may be a stage of learning for people who decide to go international according to Lane alumni and current University of Edinburgh student, Jada Reddy. “I think that everyone can learn something from it. Obviously there are people who prefer to be closer to home and by their family’s, as well as others who thrive on independence and putting themselves out there,” Reddy said. “I think you need to have a lot of confidence in yourself, just to be able to stick to it and make friends.”
Alongside this, while American universities can typically be cited for having egregious price- such as Northwestern University’s tuition standing at a staggering $63,00, possibly adding increased motivation to explore alternate opportunities such as study abroad.
Although tuition rates may be lower on average for European and Asian universities, people must consider a variety of factors that come with studying abroad. “Tuition and boarding are significantly cheaper but there are lots of little extra charges like visas and health insurance that add up as well as flights,” Reddy said. These extra charges include plane tickets, living accommodations, transportation and food on top of personal expenses one may have, which can add up over time.
However while prices typically don’t rival American universities, tuition abroad can still vary depending on which city, country and type of school you choose. Germany, for example, let go of public university tuition fees for all students, including fees for international students in 2014, leaving students only needing to pay smaller fees such as those previously mentioned, according to Bright Link Prep.
On the other hand, for Oxford University in England, international students pay up to around $53,900 each year which is a steep price, especially when you factor in other accommodations that may be needed.
The general cost of living also varies in different cities and countries as well which can affect how much you pay for basic living expenses.
For example, Norway offers free tuition to all students regardless of international status — but the average student there typically budgets around $1,260 per month for living expenses, according to the University of Bergen. This, in comparison to Spain, where basic expenses are typically only a portion of that standing around $700 depending on the city, according to Masters Portal.
Similarly to when one attends university in America, there are opportunities to get fees lowered or waived so one can continue their education. “Most internationals will take FAFSA and give some scholarships through that, there are also typically some scholarships specifically for internationals and then ones for specific degrees,” Reddy said. “You can also apply for ones within the US that can be added to your FAFSA and thus add to your aid package.” FAFSA has the ability to alleviate some of the financial burden that may be put on students, based on how much financial need one demonstrates.
While the tuition fees may be the main point of motivation for some, senior Mabel Stevens touched on the other benefits of going overseas. “Honestly I’m not someone who loves schools so the thought of getting a degree in a shortened amount of time is appealing,” Stevens said, referring to the fact that many international undergraduate degrees from schools abroad typically take three years, rather than four, saving students a full year’s worth of tuition and expenses.
However, despite these lower rates and shorter schooling time it may be important to keep in mind how you will be receiving money for school. In the U.S, alongside students receiving financial aid and loans, around 44.3% of college students work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The money made from these jobs often support students throughout their college life.
It may be important to see which countries allow their international students to work and how many hours they are able to do. For example, Chinese international students, can work and study on and off-campus for no more than eight hours per week and no more than 40 hours per month according to China-admissions . During winter and summer vacations, no more than 16 hours per week and no more than 80 hours per month. In France, for non-EU citizens, they must have a student resident permit to work, French law authorizing international students to work 964 hours during the year, or 60 percent of typical full time employment hours according to Abroadin.
Despite the barriers that may come with international study, it is important to keep in mind both the pros and cons of taking this big step. “I think that everyone can learn something from it. Obviously there are people who prefer to be closer to home and by their families, as well as others who thrive on independence and putting themselves out there,” Reddy said. “I think you need to have a lot of confidence in yourself, just to be able to stick to it and make friends. It’s hard when you think you’re in it on your own but once you find other people it becomes so much easier and more fun. Being able to go out, explore and try new things is what makes it all worth it.”
