Love traveling and exploring new cities? Have high test stores, good grades, and know what you want to study? Getting your degree overseas may be the answer!
Today, I’m excited to share a very special guest post from Kevin Newton, founder of An Education Abroad, a boutique consultancy dedicated to helping American students interested in pursuing a degree overseas. Upon learning about Kevin’s services, I was immediately intrigued. As a test prep tutor, I often meet knowledgeable college advising professionals. Most focus on helping students get into schools in the United States. While that’s a great option for some students, the lesser known path of earning a degree abroad may be a more optimal fit for many others.
When making such a big and potentially life-changing decision as choosing a university, you should know all of your options so you can make an informed decision for your unique situation. That’s why I’ve asked Kevin to share the top reasons students should consider when determining whether obtaining a degree overseas is right for them.
So without further ado, here are some of Kevin’s nuggets of wisdom:
Why Your BA Should Be Overseas
Applying for college can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. Deciding where and what to study, as well as how to get there, is often confusing and loaded with questions, the answers of which can determine your entire future. There is so much competition with test scores, extracurricular activities, and grades, and that’s just to get into college! This is where studying abroad can be a lifesaver. There are several great reasons that a program overseas could be your ticket to a fun rest of high school, and a bright future.
1. Extracurriculars are extra hassle
Most, if not all, of universities here in the United States look at more than just grades when selecting students to attend their programs. They want to see volunteer work, social clubs, sports, and any number of other activities. When studying for a degree abroad, these extracurriculars are no longer a factor. You are selected based primarily on your test scores. While your grades do matter, they are less important than your standardized test scores, which you have to take to apply college anyway. This allows students to focus more on the types of programs they want to study in, and less on Student Government or band practice.
2. Study what you want and save time and money
Most freshmen in college can sympathize with having to take an extra literature or music class that has no bearing on your degree, and just fills out a requirement for the university. With most overseas programs, you just study what is relevant to your degree, with no filler to be had. This allows you more time to focus on what you actually want to study. Not only are you getting to focus on what you are interested in, but most degree programs overseas take less time than traditional US programs: generally three years as opposed to four. This means less money for school, and more time to start the career you want. It’s a win win!
3. See the world while you study
Of course, one of the biggest perks to studying abroad is actually being abroad. Flights inside Europe, for example, are relatively inexpensive and short, and there are tons of train routes that are pretty affordable for students. Seeing the world and learning about new cultures alongside earning your degree gives you life experiences that you just cannot get anywhere else. Having this background can also come in handy when you are looking for a job after graduation, where your international experiences will set you apart from the rest of the pack. This can help you get your dream job or internship sooner.
Next Steps
While preparing for college can be overwhelming and stressful, there are ways to make it manageable and even pretty exciting. At An Education Abroad, we work to send you to the school of your dreams while helping you to enjoy the rest of high school. Contact us for more information, and the keys to the overseas degree that gives you the life you want.