Can’t decide between US and Europe for university? Why not both!
College options in the United States and Europe leave you bewildered. Which one is better?
There are several obvious benefits to attending a university in Europe.
When deciding where to attend college, a student faces one of the most basic and initial decisions they will face throughout their academic career. There are two major regions that most UAE residents consider when deciding where to get an elite education that will have a lasting impact on their careers: North America and Europe.
However, there is more nuance to the situation than meets the eye; both choices can be advantageous for Gulf students. Nonetheless, a holistic admissions strategy taking into consideration the intricate benefits of both systems needs to be considered.
One of the most noticeable benefits of sending a student to a top university in Europe is the drastically reduced cost of living and tuition compared to a US education. Instead of spending close to $100,000 per year on a US education, you could expect to spend only 10% to 20% of that amount on a top European university. Because of the improved proximity to the Gulf, returning home for the holidays will also be much more affordable.
Undergraduate education in Europe is intense and immersive due to the famed academic rigor and specialization of the region's universities. European universities may have a lot to offer in terms of value, but they lack accessibility and flexibility. Listen up, American students: European universities are no picnic! The degree of independence and rigor expected of students is out of this world compared to American universities. American universities tend to be a little more hands-off with their students and save more advanced material for Master's degree programs.
While American universities typically allow students to change their major at least once, European universities expect students to come to campus with a clear idea of what they want to study and don't give them much room to do so once they're enrolled. This is in contrast to the national average of around 80% of college students who change their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Leiden are three selective liberal arts colleges in Europe that provide an adaptable version of the American liberal arts model. But if you know exactly what you want to study and are debating between prestigious American universities and those in Europe, there is a way to get the best of both worlds: earn an undergraduate degree in Europe and a master's degree in the US.
Students who choose to earn an undergraduate degree in Europe and then a master's degree in the United States can take advantage of the former's more narrowly focused and specialized curricula, learning more about a particular subject than their American counterparts, while the latter's more broadly based curricula allow them to broaden their perspectives. Students' academic profiles, as well as their adaptability and global perspective, are enhanced by such a pathway.
In addition, individuals looking for work in highly international job markets will likely find the cultural experiences, languages learned, and networks developed across two continents to be extremely valuable. Students who successfully navigate these varied educational environments will have a leg up in many professional domains thanks to the unique perspectives they will acquire on international markets and cultures.
In addition, American Master's degree programs offer a far wider variety of scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. Colleges and universities in the United States are always on the lookout for new voices and viewpoints from around the world, and students from Europe usually stand out. They are highly qualified for these scholarships because of their background in diverse cultural experiences and educational approaches.
For Hale Education Group, the author holds the position of Consultant.
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