With college decisions rolling around the corner, many students have stepped outside the box and pursued applying internationally. Studying abroad and acquiring new experiences by applying to schools that transcend international borders provide students with a unique experience which can be helpful towards their career paths. International schools offer a unique environment which goes beyond the traditional American setting.
Applying and going to school abroad allows students to develop a global perspective and a multicultural understanding. Many careers nowadays require a global understanding of the world and like to recruit employees that have this complex view. These are kinds of people who have had many experiences with different communities. Research from the QS graduate employability rankings suggest that employers are increasingly valuing international experiences in potential employees. Studying abroad can enhance a student’s adaptability, cultural awareness, and global perspective, making them a more attractive candidate on the job market.
Going to a university located outside of the country where you grew up allows for the development of a broad range of experiences. Being put into a situation that is different and far from home can be difficult but in the end it allows for a unique educational opportunity. In the realm of an international education, traditional classroom settings are shattered, giving way for a dynamic fusion of cultures and ideas.
Going to school internationally also proves to be extremely cost effective. Studying abroad presents a vast financial advantage for students in comparison to the US. For instance, while average tuition rates in the US exceed $26k per year with some students paying up to $80k, countries like Canada and the UK offer similar education for tuition rates between $10k and $25k. Housing costs in the US usually cost around $15k whereas countries such as Australia and Germany maintain costs around $10k (if students have citizenship internationally, financial aid can be subsidized even more).
Many American students fall into the mindset that schools in the United States have a better education. While this may be true for the top 5-10 percent of universities in the US, around 28 out of the 50 top schools globally come from outside of the States, according to US News. Generally, US universities are ranked better in the higher rankings but looking at the bulk of American colleges, most are ranked below a vast number of international colleges.
There is also a severe lack of regulation amongst American universities in comparison to those in the UK, for example. Someone who got their degree from a school in the UK must have gone to a school that had to meet strict regulations in terms of education even though the university may have been “ranked” low. European degrees are uniform, the Lisbon convention stated that a degree is considered equivalent throughout Europe no matter where it was acquired. American universities sit outside of this. With many of them being private they face their own regulations so while there are many great schools there are some whose education quality is simply unknown.
It’s true that the international application process might seem like a tedious process with academic and language proficiency tests. But the rewards are worth the effort. It’s an investment in a future where, but it’s not just about what’s taught in the classrooms, it’s about who you’re learning alongside. The diversity of international colleges creates a student body that mirrors the diversity of the world itself, forging relationships and experiences with peers from different corners of the planet.
