Given the current political and socio-economic state of the country right now, it makes sense that Jackson-Reed students are considering completing their post-secondary education abroad. It is important to note that college (or uni, as the Brits would say) is an immensely important decision that could determine much of someone’s future.  So what makes the international route so desirable?

Being a public school in the center of US diplomacy and foreign service, it is unsurprising that a number of JR students choose to apply abroad every year. Some of the most popular schools JR students are applying to (and have attended) include McGill University and University of Toronto in Canada, and St. Andrews University in Scotland. This year alone, three seniors have already been accepted into University of Amsterdam and others have revealed plans to apply to Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and Sciences Po, a political science university in Paris. 

Attending a school in a different country has its challenges, including travel costs, visa logistics, and housing. Nonetheless, as evident by the tens of thousands of Americans that attend a foreign university, many have not been dissuaded by these hurdles; so what are the benefits? According to College and Career Counselor Elizabeth Levenson, students are drawn to international schools because they have family abroad, have lived there previously, or are “attracted to the idea of living in another country for their college years.” Levenson also points out that tuition for colleges in foreign countries is generally “less than that of U.S. colleges.”

Regarding tuition, it is indeed generally cheaper to study outside of the country. For example, a year at a popular US state school, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, amounts to around $44,210 (out-of-state) while a year at the University of Edinburgh, a UK school similar in size and selectivity, amounts to around £26,500 ($30,628) a year. 

University abroad often has another advantage: it’s shorter. In many schools in the UK and Europe (with the exception of Scotland) you can get your Bachelor’s degree within three years, instead of the US’ traditional four years. This is because, typically, schools outside of the US put less emphasis on a core curriculum and general education requirements; instead students only focus on the area of study that they elected to concentrate in. 

Lastly, students often consider universities outside of the US for the experience. While some might argue that studying abroad for a semester will fulfill any student’s desire to live outside the US, it can pale in comparison to actually attending a foreign school. Living in a new place, discovering new cultures, and even learning a new language provides an education that cannot be replicated inside the classroom.

Obviously there are many more reasons to consider going to college outside of the US, and these reasons will be different for everyone. As for me, I am both ready to leave the US and, as a prospective international relations major, there is a lot of value in, well, being international. (The tuition discount is a nice added bonus!) Of course, pursuing your college career abroad isn’t for everyone, but I hope for those interested, this article gives a little insight into the possibilities it provides. •