During this time of seniors getting ready to leave ETHS and explore their future, many students are considering going to college. Finding the right college is a long and difficult process, especially now with deadlines and decisions right around the corner. There is a considerable number of students who are planning to stay in Illinois, and others are leaving the state. But there are also a handful of students who have thought about leaving the country.
There are various reasons students choose to go abroad. Going to an overseas school offers numerous opportunities for students pursuing specific fields with advanced programs. Some students also decide to travel overseas for college to be closer to family members.
“I have decided to apply to colleges overseas, specifically universities in the Netherlands, because I have grown up spending most of my summers traveling to visit family there and consider it a second home,” stated senior Katja Wientjes.
Traveling overseas for college comes with leaving behind your close family in Evanston. This concept is hard for several students to grasp as they are leaving.
“Even though leaving my family in the U.S. would be difficult, I have lots of extended family in Europe, as well as a sister who chose to go overseas for college, so I have support systems that understand the system and country,” noted Wientjes.
While some students want to be closer to family, others just want to be in a new environment.
“After November, I knew I wanted to leave and try somewhere completely different,” said Jexa Edinberg, a freshman at BESIGN, a sustainable design school in France. “I wanted to study design from a sustainability lens, and this program felt like the best fit.”
A change of scenery and way of living can be refreshing, along with the perks of studying what you’re passionate about.
“French culture has been like a breath of fresh air,” explained Edinberg. “The public transport is great– I can get anywhere I want without a car. Things are also a lot slower here; there’s not a constant rush to get places.”
Despite many upsides to studying abroad, the move there can be challenging. From learning the language to coordinating rooming arrangements, there’s much more to it than simply buying a plane ticket. To request enrollment, there was an online application, followed by an online interview.
“I did like how I got the chance to ask questions and meet someone from the school during the interview,” noted Edinberg.
There can also be the challenge of a language barrier.
“The only thing I would change would be to start learning [French] earlier,” said Edinberg. “It especially makes all of the paperwork that much more challenging.”
When relocating, especially out of the country, the forms may seem never-ending.
“There’s so much bureaucracy,” Edinberg explained. “Prepare to have so many documents and copies of documents to bring to appointments.
A specific document that most people think of when they hear ‘studying abroad’ is a student visa. The said permit is notoriously challenging to obtain; the lengthy process can take months, with requirements ranging from strictly regulated documentation to proof of sufficient finances.
“I’m so grateful that my parents helped me organize all of the logistical things, especially the student visa and housing,” remarked Edinberg.
