Annually, nearly 7 million students leave their home countries to study abroad, often beginning new lives overseas upon graduation. In this context, many universities are experiencing a continual rise in the number of international students, leading to increasingly fierce competition.
Until recently, rankings of top educational institutions have been dominated by American universities. However, with various countries altering their policies to attract international students, particularly European universities have recently entered the forefront.
With tuition fees in the United States reaching nearly $80,000 per year, it's not surprising that there are continuous reports on the best destinations for young people, especially Americans, to study abroad.
Top Destinations for Young Americans
A report by European Schengen visa information provider indicates that an increasing number of young Americans are considering living abroad, particularly in Europe. It explains that European countries appeal to Americans due to their relatively lower cost of living, free healthcare, and culture. Among the top 20 countries ranked, nine are from Europe.
Ranking of Countries American Youth Aged 18-26 Are Willing to Immigrate to
1. United Kingdom
2. Canada
3. Japan
4. Netherlands
5. Singapore
6. Australia
7. Switzerland
8. Italy
9. Germany
10. Ireland
Rankings beyond the top ten include Sweden, New Zealand, and Spain.
Surveyed Americans cited experiencing new cultures as the primary reason for wanting to move abroad. Other reasons include affordability, political situation, and universal healthcare. Some respondents expressed a desire to live abroad indefinitely.
Most Student-Friendly Cities
Additionally, according to mastersdegree, which provides information on entering graduate school, factors such as student popularity, ease of English communication, friendliness, quality of life and safety, monthly budget, and scholarship opportunities were considered. After considering these factors, the scores for each city were calculated, and the cities most suitable for studying abroad this year were announced globally.
According to the rankings, the top cities are London (UK), Vienna (Austria), Melbourne (Australia), Munich (Germany), Paris (France), Montreal (Canada), Sydney (Australia), Toronto (Canada), and six European cities enter the top ten, including Zurich (Switzerland) and Amsterdam (Netherlands).
Top European Countries for Students
Education platform Education ranked study destinations in Europe, where students can have "academic adventures and life-changing experiences in vibrant environments." The top three are as follows.
1. Finland
Finland was chosen as the top destination because it has long been ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world and boasts one of the best education systems. According to the Ministry of Education, the number of non-European students applying to Finnish universities increased by 141% in 2021. "Everyone can benefit from the welfare offered by the Finnish system, including healthful food, clean water, job opportunities, high incomes, and parental leave."
2. Portugal
Portugal was chosen as the second destination not only for its climate and architecture but also because it has some of the world's top universities, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture at a low cost of living and affordable housing, some mentioned.
3. France
France is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, but if you consider studying abroad, both the capital, Paris, and other cities have excellent universities where you can experience vibrant culture and top-notch education.
Following are Spain, Germany, Italy, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden.
