I can’t pinpoint the exact moment the idea of studying abroad first took root. Maybe it was in an English literature class, immersed in the worlds of Austen and Shakespeare. Or perhaps it was the quiet presence of a childhood dream: imagining life as a diplomat, moving between embassies and cities across the world.
By the time I reached high school, one thing was clear: I wanted options. Enrolling in a bilingual humanities program at one of Romania’s top schools was my way of keeping doors open. Most of my classmates took the Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) exam – some for the credential, others with plans to study abroad. I knew I wanted to leave the possibility of studying abroad firmly on the table.
Weighing the Options
At the beginning of the last year of high school, university decisions suddenly became real. I was torn between staying close to home, in Timișoara or Bucharest, or venturing further. The UK and Sweden were at the top of my list.
Sweden offered great English-taught programs, but I hesitated. Would I manage daily life in Swedish? Would I integrate socially? The UK, by contrast, felt more familiar. I had questions, and at the time, few answers.
The Moment That Changed Everything
Attending a university fair in Bucharest quietly shifted everything. That’s where I first came across the University of Aberdeen. It wasn’t the obvious choice, but their admissions team saw me as a person, not a statistic. That was what ultimately made the difference for me.
Aberdeen’s International Relations and Sociology programs were highly ranked. They offered a joint degree option, which suited my interests perfectly. The city itself? Quite grey – its moniker is the Granite City – but historic, compact, and by the sea. That gave it a certain kind of charm.
Then came the practical side: as an EU student, my tuition fees in Scotland were smaller and covered by a government grant, unlike in England. While living costs were on the higher side in Aberdeen at the time, the trade-off made sense.
Making the Final Call
I carefully selected the universities on my UCAS application. Aberdeen steadily rose to the top, not just for practical reasons, but because it felt right. I could see myself growing there.
The process looked different then; this was the beginning of the 2010s, before Brexit, before the sharp increase in UK tuition for EU students, and before EU students needing visas to study in the UK. But even now, many of the key questions remain the same.
For Students Deciding Today
If you’re trying to choose where to study abroad, my advice is to consider three things:
Academic Fit: Does the university offer programs that truly excite and challenge you?
Personal Connection: Can you see yourself living, learning, and thriving in that environment?
Practical Realities: Consider the costs, quality of life, support systems, and career outcomes.
No decision is perfect. But the right one, for you, will feel like a door quietly opening.
What Matters Most to You?
If you had to choose just three criteria to guide your study abroad decision, what would they be?
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