Many seniors are preparing to leave the nest and explore a new city for college. However, some students are venturing further and going outside of the country to study. From Canada to London and even Sweden, students are attending international universities. Three M-A seniors share their reasons for going abroad next year.
A common theme in deciding to move abroad for college is having family connections. Kasey Prober committed to the University of Toronto to study architecture. She said, “One of the main motivations was that I have more family in Canada than in the U.S.”
While Canada and the U.S. have many similarities, the weather can differ greatly, informing Prober’s preparations. Prober said, “ I’m mostly preparing by buying clothes for the cold weather.”
As for future plans, Prober said, “I’m thinking about going to grad school in Montreal.”
Zahara Agarwal recently committed to the University of Oxford in England to study history & politics. Having lived in London during elementary school, Oxford was one of Agarwal’s top choices.
“I went to Oxford about two years ago to actually visit the campus,” she said.
However, The U.K. application process is unique. “There is only one essay, and you can use it to apply to five schools in the U.K.” Agarwal said. Then, “I had interviews with Oxford, and it was more low-key of a process that was due in October.”
As for adjusting to going abroad, Agarwal said, “The class system is different because they have totals and lectures are optional.”
Going abroad comes with many perks, including traveling. She said, “I’m excited to have access to travel since a lot is close by.”
Damian Boye* is deciding between a few universities abroad: Lund University and Uppsala University in Sweden, as well as the University of Amsterdam and the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.
However, Boye said, “I will probably end up going to one of the Swedish universities.” Boye feels a strong connection to Sweden because he was born and lived there until he was six years old. Additionally, Boye said, “I also lived in Sweden for a semester my junior year, so I kind of have a feel for what it will be like now that I’m older.”
Boye explained, “Ultimately, I want to go to college outside the U.S. because I think I would be happier living in Sweden. There’s a lot of problems here, and of course there are lots of problems in Sweden too, but ones that I feel better about.”
Boye plans to study archeology and explains how the academic process differs from the U.S. He said, “Bachelor’s degrees are three-year programs in most of Europe, and in my opinion, the process for getting a degree is generally more streamlined.”
These M-A seniors are embarking on exciting journeys to study in a different country. They will experience many benefits such as lower tuition, greater travel opportunities, and accelerated educational programs. These jet-setting students will undoubtedly learn lifelong lessons and create special memories during their time abroad.
*Damian Boye is also a journalist for the M-A Chronicle.
