The process of moving abroad can get pretty complicated and confusing, and our team at Skola has been living in this reality for years. On the bright side, this means we have had plenty of time to figure out how to best navigate these trickier situations.
If you are at the beginning of your journey, you may benefit from some of the knowledge our Skola team has compiled to answer your most pressing questions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Questions about Moving Abroad
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It’s important to remember that moving abroad is a migration and/or immigration process. Between visa paperwork, language learning, culture shock, and homesickness, it’s incredibly challenging. You will have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable everyday. But, if that sounds more exciting than anxiety inducing, then moving abroad might be right for you!
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Adaptability: Moving to a new country means adjusting to a new language, foods, customs, and cultures. In order to succeed abroad, you’ll have to be adaptable to new environments, ways of doing/thinking, and be open to new experiences!
Resilience: Sometimes moving to a new country means working within bureaucracies and new education systems. In order to navigate these systems you have to be resilient and advocate for yourself!
Courage: Deciding to book that flight ticket and leave a familiar life behind can be scary! Don’t underestimate how difficult it might be to say goodbye to your friends and family!
Problem Solving: When you move to a new country, your parents, siblings, and general support system can’t always tell you the solution to your problems like they might if you were in the U.S.! Moving to a new country means that sometimes, you have to find the solutions yourself. Skola is here to help you find out which questions you need to ask, where to look to find the solutions, and support you at every step of the process!
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The cost of moving abroad varies country by country. For your visa, you will need to be able to show proof of funds and financial support. Your tuition cost can also vary significantly from country by country and school by school. It will almost always be cheaper than the “equivalent” of university in the US. You can expect to pay hundreds of dollars for each flight from the US to your destination country. Rent will also be hundreds of dollars per month (but this varies depending on your country). Groceries are generally cheaper in Europe than they are in the US.
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There’s a ton of factors you might consider when choosing which city to live in! For many students they simply find exactly at which University or program they want to study and move to the city it’s based in! For other students the process is more complicated. Think about how you would feel living in a big city vs. a small city. Maybe you don’t do well in the cold or you know you want to be close to the beach. For some students rent prices and general cost of living can make or break their decision! If you need help weighing your options, our Skola consultants have lived across Europe, have visited dozens of cities and are happy to help
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For some students, a good reputation and their program of choice is the only thing that matters. Our consultants can help you navigate what universities are known for what and which programs might be a good fit for you. Other students are looking for a strong student community, social organizations, or certain sports/clubs. Maybe it’s important that your university has a dedicated disability office or has programs for queer students. Skola strives to find these clubs, organizations, and programs, so that you feel confident about attending a university which meets your needs and expectations!
Education in Europe
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No, just like if you were going to enroll in a college in the US, there are absolutely no age limits! Everyone, regardless of age, can decide that they want to pursue a study program in Europe. There are plenty of people from all age groups who decide that they want to go back to school or study a university degree for the first time!
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It is generally not possible for students at European Universities to enroll as an undeclared major. This is because students must apply to a specific study program and meet the requirements of that program in order to be accepted to the university of interest. Once you are enrolled in a study program, it is also generally not possible to transfer to another program within the same university and receive credit for the courses you already took. In this case, students must reapply to their new study program and wait to be accepted. After acceptance, students may be able to request an exemption from certain first-year courses, however it is usually less than a semesters-worth of courses that are excused.
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Transferring from an American university to a university in Europe may not be possible in the way you might hope but don’t let that discourage you! Many bachelor degrees in Europe are only 3 years long and do not have any “general education” requirements like most 4-year bachelor programs in the United States. Bachelor programs in Europe also have specifically tailored courses to fit which make it difficult to transfer credits from an American university. Therefore, if you wish to transfer to a European university, it is generally necessary to apply to your program of choice as a first year student. Once you are accepted, you may be able to request an exemption from certain first-year courses, however it is usually less than a semesters-worth of courses that are excused.
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Yes! Having an associates degree from an accredited American college or university will, in many cases, improve your chances of being accepted in a European bachelors program! In some countries, in order to gain access to the most selective Universities, American students must demonstrate their qualifications through additional selection criteria such as AP scores or SAT/ACT requirements. In many cases, an associates degree bypasses these criteria and grants access to these more-selective programs!
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In many cases an American high school diploma (in addition to college entrance exam scores like the ACT or SAT or a collection of AP scores) is sufficient to apply for a bachelors degree in Europe. In some countries, in order to gain access to the most selective Universities, American students must demonstrate their qualifications through additional selection criteria such as AP scores or specialized high school diplomas like the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. If you’re confused about whether you meet the requirements of a particular program, Skola can help!
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Absolutely! Getting your master’s degree from a European university is a great way to save money while advancing your academic career and professional qualifications. Compared to bachelor’s programs, there are so many more options for English-taught master’s programs! If you need help finding a program or understanding the higher education system in Europe, Skola can help!
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Yes, there are many PhD opportunities available in Europe! The process to find a PhD program in many European countries is not the same as finding a bachelor or master program. Many PhD researchers are treated more like staff than students at public universities in Europe. This means that universities will publish vacancies and recruit candidates who, if selected, will teach courses and conduct research for the university/department which hired them alongside their PhD. These types of PhDs are paid positions. Students may also choose to do a self-funded PhD. In this case, students must secure their own funding and approach a university professor or graduate program with their PhD proposal who will sponsor their studies and supervise their research. These types of PhDs are not paid. Both of these routes, however, are available to non-European students!
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You can get a student visa not only from degree programs, but also from courses (such as specialized training courses in specific fields, e.g. pastry school) and language learning programs (Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Czech Republic, maybe more!).
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Yes! Eventually, we’re going to have a database, but for now you can check out this blog post for more information!
Help from Skola
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Skola was built with your student experience in mind. Our goal is to help students succeed in their higher education journey abroad from the moment you start researching to long after you arrive in Europe. There are three pillars that we use in order to help: resources, advice, and community. We know that researching and starting the process of pursuing a degree abroad can be a confusing and lonely experience. That’s why Skola is building a diverse and knowledgeable community that can support you along your way. We also believe that providing information is the best way to help students succeed, that’s why we’re always updating our blog posts, this FAQ, and our resources with up-to-date information. Maybe most importantly, having someone to talk to, walk you through your options, and give advice can bring peace of mind to a challenging process. We offer lots of personalized services like CV and motivation letter reviews to help you build a great application, ask-me-anything call to answer your burning questions, and our consultations and custom guides which will help you plan and succeed in your unique academic journey! Wherever you’re at in the process, Skola is here to help!
Visas, Residence, and Legal Documents
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In most cases, you will have to apply for a visa prior to arriving in Europe for your study program. Because students who are studying full degree programs (i.e. bachelors, masters, and PhD), tourist and short-stay visas are usually not sufficient. Therefore you will likely have to apply for a long-term visa for the purpose of studying. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you already have established residence in the country you are studying in or if you hold an EU or EEA passport the rules may be different. We encourage you to thoroughly research the rules and deadlines for visa applications while you are deciding where you are planning to study.
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You will likely need to pay an administrative or application fee in order to submit a visa application or receive your approved visa. The cost of this may vary depending on your home nationality and the destination country. The costs of visas can range from less than $50 all the way up to $500 in extreme cases.
However, it should be noted that in order to qualify for a visa you often have to prove that you have a certain amount of savings. This is called a “Proof of Funds”. This amount can range from around $4,000 to over $10,000 for a year long visa. Alternatively, you can prove that you are being financially supported, this is known as having a “Sponsor”. In this case your sponsor must show proof of their income.
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Typically yes, student visas do allow you to work part-time. The amount of time varies country by country, but it will almost always be somewhere between 10-30 hours per week. Sometimes you will be able to get a student job at your school, and other times you will need to search around for a job in the city you live in. Also, the language requirements depend heavily on the country/city you are living in. For example, it may be very easy to find a student job allowing you to speak English in the Netherlands, whereas in Italy it is much less common.
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A residence permit will be called something different depending on what country you move to. This is basically just a new version of your visa. The residence permit is the document that allows you to legally live in your destination country. Most commonly, upon arrival in your destination country, you will need to begin a procedure to convert your visa into a residence permit. If your study program lasts longer than one year, your visa will expire after the first year, and then the residence permit is your only document that allows you to legally stay there. In some countries, like the Netherlands, American students do not require a visa at all, and must only apply for and receive a residence permit prior to arrival. The procedure to obtain a residence permit varies country by country. This is something the Skola experts can help prepare you for!
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Yes! You can bring pets. This will make your travel more complicated, though. First, the requirements for vaccinations, vet visits, and travel procedures vary country by country. You will need to check the specific requirements for your destination country. Also, you will most likely need to do fairly last-minute preparations for your pet to fly. You will almost certainly need to get a health certificate from your vet, plus there will be certain forms you must obtain to go through customs. None of our Skola experts have expertise on this process particularly, but we can help point you in the right direction. P.S. Make sure your accommodation in your destination country is pet-friendly!
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Not at all! This is what a visa is for. Even if you are not a citizen of the EU, you are able to apply for a study visa for your destination country. Normally, your university will help you with this process! We know it can be difficult to navigate the visa system, so if you have any questions or concerns about the process, Skola can help you research!
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Yes. You will need to obtain a passport first in order to apply for a visa. When applying for your visa, you will likely need to give the embassy/consulate of your destination country your passport in order for them to print your visa inside of it. Also, ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after you plan to move to your destination country in Europe.
Language & Integration
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Not a problem! There are plenty of 100% English-taught bachelor and master’s programs offered by European universities. Stay tuned for our database detailing which
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It is not always necessary to learn another language to study in Europe. Sometimes, Universities will require that foreign students enroll in courses to learn basic skills in the country’s language. Learning the local language can help you connect better with the community and culture you’re living in, however, it is not required by most countries and universities. If learning a new language sounds daunting or if you’re looking for tips, Skola can help you find out if language courses are required at your university of interest!
Health & Well-Being
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You will need to first research if your destination country has the medication you are prescribed. You will need to talk to your doctor(s) in the US and a doctor in your destination country (either obtained through your health insurance or find a private doctor) to decide how exactly you will go about taking your prescription medication with you. If you are able to find a doctor in your destination country who will give you the care you require and prescribe you the medication you need, you can rely on this. If you are feeling unsure, you can have your doctor(s) in the US prescribe you your medication as far in advance as your insurance allows. You can make sure that each time you go back to the US or whenever you have a visitor come see you from the US that they bring your prescription.
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Yes! There are multiple routes you can take to go about getting therapy while abroad. If you already have a therapist who you see who is based in the US, you can ask them if they are able to still provide their services to you when you go abroad. For example, they may still be able to practice with you if they proceed as if you are on a “study abroad” year, or as if you are on an extended vacation. Otherwise, you can check out BetterHelp, a private solution. If neither of these options work for you, you can most likely find a therapist who speaks English using your health care you obtain abroad.
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Yes it is, but it depends on the country how accessible it is. Firstly, emergency contraception (Plan B/the “morning after” pill) is widely available in Europe and very often able to be obtained without a prescription. Second, abortion is available in most countries, but there are different time requirements than in the US. For example, in Germany, the limit is 12 weeks of pregnancy. Also, take note that in some countries it may be more difficult to get an abortion. In Italy, it will generally be more difficult to get an abortion than in the Netherlands, for example.
https://rm.coe.int/women-s-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-in-europe-issue-pape/168076dead
Family & Children
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If you are a parent, we can still help you with finding the degree you may be interested in abroad! Our services are not limited to only certain age groups. If you are curious about being able to bring your children, the answer is almost always going to be yes. You will need to list your dependents while applying for your visa, and you will need to prove your ability to financially support you all in the move. Be careful, as some countries have more strict limitations on hours you are allowed to work while studying there than others.
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Typically yes, but this will depend on their ages and situations. For example, if you have a spouse, they may also need to find either a job or a study program to obtain their own visa. Sometimes, visas for the purpose of studying allow you to bring your spouse on your visa if you are married or legal partners. If you have children, they usually can also move with you on your student visa as dependents. Please note that there are additional income requirements if your children and/or spouse live with you on your student visa.
Identity & Safety Abroad
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Yes, there are legal protections against discrimination and racial harassment in Europe, but it is important to consider that laws vary by country. There are overarching laws and guidelines at the EU level that member states must adhere to, ensuring a basic level of protection for individuals against racial discrimination. The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is a treaty that guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to be free from discrimination. It’s legally binding for the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, which includes most of the countries in Europe. For more information about human rights and legal protections in Europe consult the website for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights: https://fra.europa.eu/en
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In Europe, gender self-determination laws vary greatly and changing your legal gender marker may depend on a diagnosis of gender-dysphoria or another mental health diagnosis. If the gender of your U.S. passport or ID does not correspond with your gender identity it may be more difficult to change your legal gender on identity documents in your destination country. However, there are many countries in Europe which currently allow for self-identification for trans people. You can consult the trans rights map from TGEU for more information about your rights in each country: https://transrightsmap.tgeu.org/
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If you are already receiving gender-affirming healthcare, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor or health provider about what a move abroad might entail. Access to gender affirming hormones, medications, and surgeries vary across Europe and may not be as accessible as in your home state. Make sure you thoroughly research the laws and health insurance options for students in the country which you are planning to study in. You can also consult the trans rights map from TGEU for more information about access to gender affirming healthcare across Europe: https://transrightsmap.tgeu.org/
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Many universities in Europe have protections for LGBTQ+ students and organizations, associations, and community support groups for queer students. Unfortunately, this is not the case at every university and safety for LGBTQ+ individuals varies in each country and city. Some countries like the Netherlands and Spain are known for their large queer nightlife, festivals, and overall progressive societies. However, in certain contexts LGBTQ+ students may face discrimination and harassment. You can consult the Rainbow map and other resources from ILGA-Europe for more information about legal protections and LGBTQ+ rights across Europe: https://www.ilga-europe.org/
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