Living/Studying Abroad

[xanis]

So lately I've been doing some college hunting so I can get some applications in after I take the SATs again. I've found several schools in the US that fit my needs, but there are also some international schools that offer good oppurtunities as well. I have several concerns, however, about living abroad while attending college, and I'm hoping some of the ATOT's European residents could help me out here.

1. What is the cost/standard of living in an average European country compared to that of America?

2. Should I get a foreign drivers license or should I just get a bike and/or use public transportation?

3. How much of a foreign language should I learn before going to the country?

4. How much would it cost me to attend a european university (as an American)?

5. What would I need to do (specific tests, different applications) and what are the requirements to put in an application to a european school?

Thanks in advance. FYI, the schools I'm looking at are located in France, Germany and the UK.

 

[xanis]

bump

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: Xanis
So lately I've been doing some college hunting so I can get some applications in after I take the SATs again. I've found several schools in the US that fit my needs, but there are also some international schools that offer good oppurtunities as well. I have several concerns, however, about living abroad while attending college, and I'm hoping some of the ATOT's European residents could help me out here.

1. What is the cost/standard of living in an average European country compared to that of America?

2. Should I get a foreign drivers license or should I just get a bike and/or use public transportation?

3. How much of a foreign language should I learn before going to the country?

4. How much would it cost me to attend a european university (as an American)?

5. What would I need to do (specific tests, different applications) and what are the requirements to put in an application to a european school?

Thanks in advance. FYI, the schools I'm looking at are located in France, Germany and the UK.

1. Since the euro came about its typically more expensive to live than the US (I lived in europe prior to the euro and thru its first year, and the change was astounding!)

2. Yes definately get an international drivers license! I had to take the german written test, but not the road test (as long as you have a US drivers license), and also had to pay for an international drivers license so I could drive legally in other countries.

3. I moved there knowing only English, and picked it up as time went on. Depending on where your moving, many europeans speak english well, so you shouldn't have a problem for the most part.

4. Its faily compariable to the US for the most part, but it depends on what you are studying and the university you choose. Not sure about french and UK universities though. I know if your an international student, there are programs to apply for, but its still fairly expensive.

5. Not sure about this, as I was in europe those 5 years for work. I would think it wouldn't be hard to find out though.

I would avoid France like the plague. By far the most uninviting country I have ever been too (and visited france quite often). I couldn't imagine living there (as an american that is).

 

[Tazanator]

well common curtasy is always learn the language (it's only polite .. but rude not to) public transportation is cheap but having your own car gets you more places ... remember that europe is only 2 - 3 time zones and has such it's not that long a drive to different places.

I have a CDL it cost more but I can drive semi's down to cars anywhere in the world. well worth the test time, also it can get you side jobs driving...

 

[aphex]

I've been lucky enough to study abroad twice so far.... 3 years ago in Utrecht, The Netherlands and this past summer at Oxford, UK...

The first time i went the Euro was a bit weaker than dollar so most things (rent, food, transportation) were fairly inexpensive... This summer at Oxford though w/ the Pound was an entirely different story... Nearly everything was twice the price once converted (things that are $4.99 here were 4.99GBP over there). Got to be very expensive, very quickly....

With the current situation, while i love the UK, would be go go somewhere in the Euro zone where your dollar will go quite a bit farther...