Hello everyone. Before you read this topic, I apologize if this topic is constructed in such a disarranged manner. This is my first forum post here ~
I’m currently a sophomore physics student studying here in the US. I moved from the Philippines to the US for college (I’m a US & Filipino citizen), but so far I’m not really enjoying my life here. I’ve been in the US for three years and haven’t made any friends, I’m not really enjoying my university’s physics program, the tuition is rather high and I feel like I don’t really have that much options for scholarships, and there really isn’t much to do here in the city I’m in.
I am also a citizen of an EU country, and I just recently found out how excellent and renowned some English-taught programs are in a few European countries; plus, as a citizen of an EU country, my tuition there without a scholarship would be way cheaper than here. I was thinking of applying to a university in the Netherlands because the tuition in some universities (I’m looking at Groningen and Maastricht) is rather cheaper than where I’m currently studying, the cities listed above have rather the same cost of living as my current city, and I heard a lot of great things about [international] student life (except for housing ); however, I’m open to other places as well as long as they have apt programs and relatively low tuition & cost of living, and as long as the place is situated in a nice environment. I just feel like a total idiot for not considering this when I was still in high school, and I wish I knew better.
My dad strongly suggested I should just try study abroad programs offered in my university because it gives me a glimpse of being abroad as well as it would still connect me to my US university. However, I just want to leave my current university and apply to other schools; I understand that there is an extremely high possibility for my credits to not get transferred, but I really didn’t learn much in my university here because I wasn’t very motivated and my professors weren’t that good, and I am honestly fine with restarting my entire degree to refresh my knowledge on some material (in Europe, a physics degree is just 3 years). I’m just not sure how to tell my parents and my academic advisor this. I don’t want to come across as selfish or ungrateful; I understand that my parents tried their best to give me an opportunity, and I really appreciate them for that, but I feel bad for not being honest to them about how I really feel about my college situation, and I’m afraid I might hurt them more if I really do be honest.
Maybe I should just endure two more years here until I find a masters program.
After spending so much on tuition, committing to restarting a new degree would be very costly but you already know that. Whats more important is that you understand what you learn. If you don’t understand whats going on, it won’t be easy to keep a job in a field related to your major. However, that being said, if you think your selling yourself short and that you do actually have good knowledge about the subject, a study abroad program could be really beneficial. You will have that same out of country experience in a new place with new people in a tighter knit community while still finishing your current US degree. Study abroad programs are much smaller than being on campus so you really get to know who you are traveling with and make friends with them. The best thing you can do is talk with your academic advisor. Set-up a zoom meeting or in person meeting and explain to them exactly what you wrote in this post and set up a path that works for you. That’s what they are there for.
I watched one YouTube video a few days ago. This guy was miserable at Notredam and transferred to Georgetown in the sophomore year. He was so happy there. It taught me that you really want to go to school that fits you the most. It really make a big difference.
I think it might be worth considering transferring to a Dutch college. You need to ensure they will accept your credits. I suggest contacting admissions at those colleges.
I agree with all the above. Transfer if you are unhappy. No need to hyper scrutinize the reasons why. My suggestion would be to go back to the Philippines for undergrad not the Netherlands. I had a few friends (that were from warmer and sunnier places) end up miserable in the Netherlands. Just another thought, sorry to be a downer. A lot of the difficulties adjusting are cultural and there is no shame in that. I have never visited the Philippines, and I’d love to go one day.
The grass always looks greener, but there are drawbacks everywhere.
So, start with why you haven’t made any friends where you are. What will be different at a new place? US universities typically offer much more in the way of community involvement.
Second, you say that you haven’t learned much in your first year and a half, because you weren’t motivated and your professors weren’t that good. Again, how will that be different. Are you now motivated about studying physics, or just getting excited about the possibility of getting a fresh start? Dutch universities will be even more hands-off than your first year classes at your current university- and there is no promise that the teachers will be any better.
); however, I’m open to other places as well as long as they have apt programs and relatively low tuition & cost of living, and as long as the place is situated in a nice environment. I just feel like a total idiot for not considering this when I was still in high school, and I wish I knew better.