Spark of Study Abroad Curiosity
Starting in high school, Charlotte Ellis, a Connecticut native, remembers having an interest in travel and, when exploring in the past with family, felt particularly ‘inspired by the differences in culture.’ She found the University of St Andrews in St Andrews, Scotland on the CommonApp. Charlotte recalls being immediately drawn to the beautiful campus and was well aware of the lack of language barriers while still having the opportunity to go abroad for an extended period – something she had always wanted to do.
Similarly, at 16, Devon Martirez y McFarland felt like studying abroad could truly be an opportunity for him after arriving at a private arts high school in Southern California. As an avid dancer since age 12, Devon knew he wanted to professionally dance somewhere where the arts are celebrated. During one trip to Portugal, Devon was hooked: ‘I went with my father to see a dance show, and I fell in love with this company – everyone was supporting them. It was lovely.’
‘Europe has more of an arts scene,’ continues Devon, including more funding and accessibility for the general public to see and afford diverse performances, resulting in consistent community support, a considerable force behind his decision to attend the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
While inspired to study abroad in the UK, other significant factors played a role in both Devon and Charlotte’s decisions to actually apply. For Devon, obtaining an affordable degree in three years while still receiving vocational professional training was vital; for Charlotte, the beauty and history of the UK and the lack of a language barrier made pursuing her passion in history at St Andrews seem like a no-brainer.
After applying to their respective universities, deciding to go required a bit more research. Utilizing university websites, UK government websites, steadfast Google, and speaking with others from high school who had previously obtained degrees abroad, both Charlotte and Devon gathered enough information to make their ultimate choices confidently.
For Devon, the UCAS system was straightforward, and for both he and Charlotte, their respective UK universities provided ample information throughout the process. Studying in another country has its challenges, but just like applying to universities in the US, ‘it all gets easier as you go,’ says Devon.