As an American applying to schools in the UK, I was just curious to hear about anyone who went to college in a foreign country’s experience. How difficult is it emotionally, in terms of homesickness/culture shock? I think of myself as someone who likes to try new things and is hard to faze, but am wondering if the challenges of going to the UK would be too intense. Especially considering Brits have a reputation for being more introverted than Americans and am looking at schools in major cities (London/Edinburgh/Dublin).
Also, anyone who is close with someone who studied abroad.
It’s difficult, but leaving home as a teen is difficult by any measure. You will experience culture shock. However, you will grow and learn in ways you cannot imagine, it is a big adventure that will change your life.
FYI, I studied in Germany and France after undergrad in the US. My daughter, who grew up in US, France, and Italy, just graduated Cambridge and absolutely loved it. She now considers herself a Brit as she had every nationality while resident. It was challenging, there are a myriad of differences, subtle and blunt, but you can do it.
Is there some compelling reason that you’re wanting to go to college in the UK, considering that FA resources and job-placement services for American citizens are going to be at American schools?
Yeah, I also figure that this is the only time in my life I’ll have an automatic good excuse to go anywhere in the world I want (that speaks English-am not prepared to pick up a new language :p). Also, it’s without question the only time I’d be able to afford to live in central London or New York. So I figure the adventure might be worth the risk!
??? People go abroad for grad school as well.
Yes, but grad school is definitely more important for academia (which I want to go into) than undergrad, so I think it’s more important to make my grad school choice based on the program, rather than the school or location.
I feel that an undergrad degree from a good school that isn’t an Ivy or Oxbridge is worth about the same thing from anywhere.
What’s wrong with a semester or year of study abroad?
Thanks for the great question. I agree that this is a great point in your life to live someplace different. My DH also wants to attend all 3 or 4 years in UK, and I would love to hear feedback on how other Americans adjusted to homesickness and culture shock. I think it will be a fantastic experience that will have lifelong benefits- a cultural immersion beyond what a semester or year abroad could offer. Like other posts in this thread, my daughter is often asked to justify her reasons, and it is getting a bit tiresome. You are obviously thinking this through and asking questions to prepare yourself.
My daughter just started at U of Edinburgh. There is no culture shock or extreme homesickness. She navigates with confidence, has a lot of friends, and enjoys herself tremendously. There was a facebook group for 2016 Edinburgh hopefuls, where kids established relationships, shared their successes and failures. When she arrived, she already had a cirlce of friends from all over the world. Uni is very welcoming and accommodating. There are hundreds of societies, activitie and outings. Classes started today, so we shall see how academics go 
Go with your eyes open, be accepting of other cultures. Everything will fall into place.
I don’t want to rain on your parade but think very hard about attending undergrad in London. It is a very different animal from the usual college experience. If you want the city experience Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, of those Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh I know for sure have direct flights from the states.
I agree with elguapo1. London is just crazy for undergrad. It is too much of everything all the time. At least 20% more expensive than anywhere else in the UK. Will get old fast.
I mean, I live in Chicago and it honestly feels provincial. I’m just someone who really would love to live in a major world city, but maybe I should consider if it’d be too difficult.
University in London can be difficult its nothing like Chicago!. There are few campuses just buildings in the city. Halls of residence can be 40 mins to an hour from where your classes are by tube and bus. Rooms in halls are expensive, private flats can be even further a field and more expensive! Most UK kids from London will live at home to save money. There is no popping back to your room if you forget a book or a calculator, schlepping through London is like a military exercise. A lot of foreign students in London go for the prestige of LSE and Imperial etc it is a sad fact they kind of stick together and can be cliquey. There is nothing in London course wise that you cannot find of equal or better quality elsewhere in the UK, except perhaps Art History at Courtaulds and I could be wrong on that. I need not tell you London is UBER expensive so if you are on a budget its gonna be tough. But if its what you want go for it and good luck.