An Education Abroad

Call it burnout from dealing with two weeks of machinations of which APs to submit (or not to submit), but we thought it would be nice to take a look at how to go to university overseas if you don't have a lot of AP scores. Luckily, if you're not looking at Oxbridge or LSE, you've got plenty of options.

We definitely don't think that a full degree abroad is the right fit for everyone (though obviously we're biased that it is a good idea!), but we think a lot of people could benefit from a semester or a year abroad. To that end, I give a few of my best tips on how to find the best program for a semester or year overseas.

Even though we're focused on the rest of the world, we don't live in a bubble. A lot of people have questions about applying to top universities in the US, and for that, I spoke with my friend Stef Mauler. Stef runs the Mauler Institute, and is one of the best minds when it comes to admissions here in the US. More importantly, she's a great friend and believes that student mental health should be front and center.

I had planned on having this discussion with my wife about law school experiences in the US vs. the UK later in the year, but as the bar exam approaches, she suggested it might be a good form of procrastination (for her). Oh, and that any mention of the law or the study thereof might be less than welcome for the next eight to ten weeks. So we did it now.

This week I sat down with a former student who is studying geography at Oxford. Sophie and I discuss what it is like to be a student at Oxford, what the application process was like, and why on Earth someone would want to study geography (pun intended!).

After a break for Independence Day last week, Kevin's wife Kait joins us to ask frequently asked questions about going overseas. Honestly, it may be Kait procrastinating from studying for the bar, or her attempts as a sleeper cell agent for Auburn University. Your choice, really.

Whether it's a personal statement, cover letter or letter of intent, most overseas universities want to know a bit more about you. For a lot of students (and more than a few college counselors), the written portion is the scariest part of the entire application! Luckily there are people like Emily Grossi of Elucido who make it look easy, and even make it fun.

Not surprisingly, a fair number of neurodiverse individuals are attracted to the idea of studying overseas. To quote one past student who identifies as neurodiverse, "I don't have to waste time on things I don't care about." To explore what it is like to be neurodiverse and a student overseas, we talk to Dr. Angela Lauria about the latest research and the student (and adult!) experience overseas.

Back to where it all began for Kevin in this episode, that takes a look at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. If you're interested in global affairs at all, this place is worth a look. Alberto Demo, SOAS's international student recruitment manager, almost has me convinced to go back for another Masters by the time this is over.

Two beautiful campuses, a top 50 global reputation, and an entirely transparent admissions process that takes into account holistic attributes makes the University of British Columbia a great fit for many people. Kevin talks with Tomoka Mano about what it is like at one of the most international universities in the world (and how it's surprisingly affordable for Americans).