Quality of Education
Obviously if you are moving to another country to study, your first and foremost concern would be its quality of education. And lucky for you, Europe boasts some of the strongest education systems in the world. Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Finland, Spain, France, Italy and Netherlands all have some of the best universities in the world, with high quality instruction, notable faculty members, state of the art campuses and huge varieties of options for majors.
The Continent of Innovation
When you think of technology and innovation, the continent that immediately comes to mind is Asia, especially countries like China, Japan and to some extent India. But what you may not know is that Europe is also a big hub of technology. Skype, Spotify, Minecraft, Angry Birds and Candy Crush have all originated from Europe.
The Rich History
Europe is a continent laden with a deep and rich historical tradition. Nearly every country here has its own unique story with revolutions, epic battles and legendary monarchs all over. Unlike America, which was only discovered in the 15th Century, Europe has been around for far longer. Its origins are an appealing factor, especially for students who like history, art, architecture or even classic literature. So whether you are studying history as a subject or experiencing it while you travel around, Europe would not disappoint.
The Architecture
Europe is known for its wide array of famous architectural masterpieces. Even if you are not a fan of history or architecture, you will still surely want to pay a visit to the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, or the Coliseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, or the Parthenon in Athens, are all amazing architectural masterpieces that you ought to visit at least once in your lifetime!
The Languages
Europe is perhaps the most linguistically diverse continent after Asia. Within the European Union alone, there are 23 officially recognized languages. With such a huge number of languages to learn, you might as well become a walking interpreter! Knowing a language in addition to English, can be a huge asset for you when you go back home. It is something that will make you seem far more appealing and ‘global’ to most employers.
Cultural Experience
One of the best things you will get to experience while in Europe on a study abroad program is the multi-cultural environment of the continent. You will get a chance to see the world through a whole new lens. The various traditions, customs and unique local practices of every country in Europe will baffle you and keep you entertained for the duration of your stay there. It is advisable for students studying abroad in Europe to try and get involved in as many new and local experiences as they can, whether they are festivals, particular types of dances, music, drama or any other kind of cultural element. While in Europe, make sure you stay with a host family for at least some part of your program. This will give you a deep insight of how the basic unit operates in Europe, what they eat, how they talk, their family values and so on. And it will also be your best bet to learn a new language first hand, along with the entire colloquial idiom, etc.
The Easy Transport
While you stay in Europe, for the most part, you will not even need a visa to travel in between countries. All you need to do is hop on a bus and you can go to the neighboring country for a cup of tea. Even though travelling in between European countries is a relatively easy, you are advised to consult with your university’s international office before making any travel plans.
Scholarships and Costs – High Value for Money
European countries are known for their high investments in the education sector. They try and ensure that quality education is affordable for students across the board, whether local or international. All around Europe, tuition fees are far lower than what you would find in other high quality education hubs all over the world. In fact, some European countries offer programs that are completely free of charge, even for international students.
The Variety of Cuisines
Everyone loves food, and Europe has a lot of unique dishes to offer. Whether it is Danish meatballs, Estonian beetroot salad or Portuguese salt cod, Europe has some of the finest cuisines, all lined up in one continent. There are certain delicacies that you must try when you go to Europe to study abroad. For instance, if you are in Belgium, you must try the moules frites, or jota of Croatia, poronkaristys, pot-au-feu, goulash, Irish stew and so many more. No matter what city you settle in, you are sure to come across local foods that will give you a whole new perspective on food.
Studying abroad in Europe can be a life-changing experience. There will be so much on your list to do and it will certainly be one long trip that you are not likely to forget anytime soon. When you go for a study abroad program in Europe, you will get a chance to interact with the culture and community around you more deeply than as a traveler passing through. You are likely to experience a cultural shock to some extent, but every day you are likely to learn something new and amazing about the place you are living in. Just keep in mind these few pointers and you will be all set to have the time of your life in Europe:
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Do not try to travel through the entire continent in one week. You will have plenty of time to enjoy every destination fully.
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Read up on the various zones within Europe before you go there. Make sure you know about the Schengen zone, Continental Europe, Ireland and Northern Ireland, Slovenia and Slovakia, Baltic vs. Balkan states and so on.
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Don’t forget the value of the Euro. As Americans, you might think of loose coins as merely “pocket change”, but do not be fooled. A 2 Euro coin and a 1 Euro coin in your pocket that you might be trying to get rid of is actually almost $4!
With study abroad programs in Europe, you can enjoy every moment of your time and create countless memories that will surely last you a lifetime!