Convincing parents to let me go to college abroad...??

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm having a dilemma that I really need some advice with. My dream is to study in England for an undergrad degree. I've been there several times and love it. A few of the reasons that I want to go are:</p>

<p>*Cultures/Languages/Travel - I absolutely love cultures and languages. I've taught myself a substantial amount of French and am taking German currently. English culture is interesting and the people there are friendly as well. Plus, I could easily travel to Europe on a tight budget (something that would NEVER be possible if I stayed here).
*History - England has so much more history than America. Every time I go, I'm amazed at the history behind everything that I see. The architecture is also nothing like there is here.
*Shorter/More Specified Degree - Bachelor's degrees are only three years, and I don't have to take general courses in subjects that I have no interest in</p>

<p>My parents don't like the idea at all. Their main arguments seem to be the cost and the distance. Sure cost is a factor, but only needing three years for a bachelor's cuts it down a lot. Plus, if I stay in the US, I will be attending a private, out of state, university, so the cost will be much more if I stay here anyway. The distance is another valid point, but I'll be far away no matter what. I don't see why I can't go if I'm able to get in. What can I do to help convince my parents that its time to let me go and pursue my dreams?</p>

2

<p>Hi hula!,</p>

<p>I’m currently studying abroad but only for a semester. I agree, England is LOVELY and I’d love to just transfer here. I’m assuming you’re still in high school and ready to look into a university in England. Well, I’m basing all the info from my friends in England (they told me a lot of info since I mentioned I wanted to come here to continue my edu).</p>

<p>Do you plan on getting a Master’s? Because here, a master’s would only take an additional year or two along with your BA. You have to be serious on what you want to do, though. You know yourself that it takes 3 years to complete your Bachelor’s as opposed to 4 years, but once you get into a program that you want, there’s no going back. It’s really hard to switch out.
Just like in US, schools here offer scholarships too. School is more expensive for international students, especially with the exchange rate, it’s going to be more or less about £13,000 which ≈$20,500. The good thing is that uni’s here are about the same set price all over England. Again, scholarships are always there! Both from the school and external sources. You can specifically find scholarships for international students/study abroad students. </p>

<p>In any case, I think you should really determine this on what school you do get into. Getting into somewhere like Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, etc. - you know, the top ones, then that’s more worth it than if you come here to go to just some uni in England that’s just “okay” on a world scale. Basically I think if you’re gonna make a trip across the ocean to study, go big or go home. That’s personally me though.</p>

<p>As for convincing your parents, as I’ve mentioned above, money can be taken care of and would be well worth the pay if you get into an amazing school in England as an international student. On top of that, studying internationally really helps you grow as a person. I know going off to college across the states can help, but here, you’ll know NOBODY. You’ll be in a different country. If you go to London, that place is so diverse, you’ll encounter so many people who speak broken English or no English at all. The culture is similar to ours but quite different in many ways. On top of that, you’ll really have to learn how to fend for yourself. With the exchange rate, you’ll be spending more money here than in the states on groceries, clothes, etc. and so if money is an issue you’ll really have to be more money conscience.</p>

<p>I believe most schools here don’t even have a meal plan or it’s cheaper to live off campus. That means if you don’t know how to cook already, you’ll have to learn, which I find really cool 'cause I now feel like I can survive on my own anywhere else LOL. Basically, yeah, you grow immensely as a person and you learn how to be completely independent.</p>

3

<p>Have you given any thought as to what you want to study? You say you like languages a lot, the good thing about studying languages in the UK is that you are required to take a year abroad; so it’d be a four not three year degree.</p>

4

<p>I agree with your parents. Get into college here and you can do a semester abroad later. And later you can go there for masters if you like it. There are so many options in the US and even though you may not agree, life as a freshman in college is a huge adjustment and being in another country can be tough in many ways.</p>

5

<p>Have you drawn up a detailed budget for your parents describing both options? that way you could convince them if it really is cheaper in England.</p>

<p>Be aware that most American employers are very insular, so if you go to an English university outside the top 5 or so, you might have a hard time finding a job back in the US.</p>