Jenn begins by touching down on the problems with the US higher education admissions processes and the increase in the number of US schools with extremely low acceptance rates. Maarten Dikhoff, an administrator from Groningen University, explains how different the admissions process is when students apply to schools in the Netherlands and Europe. The transparent and objective admissions criteria present a refreshing change to those accustomed to the US systems. Spoiler alert-they don't care about your SAT scores or extracurricular activities! https://beyondthestates.podbean.com/mf/web/fjzhws/EP03_BTS.mp3 Resources US News College Acceptance Rates Race to Nowhere Vicky Abeles Vicky Abeles quote Groningen University website…
A lot of people (including myself until recently) would have trouble naming cities in the Netherlands other than Amsterdam (and possibly The Hague). Groningen is a city that isn’t well known, but has a tremendous amount to offer students. It is a true student town, with students making up 25% of the 250,000 population. Even outside of students, it is a young city as 50% of the population is under the age of 35. Groningen is as compact as it is easy to navigate. I liked it immediately when I got off the train. The Groningen Museum is right across…
I was really excited to visit Groningen again. When I visited last year, it was just for a few hours. This time I was there for 3 days exploring the town and meeting with administrators and students from Groningen University College (UCG). Since so many of you have expressed interest in Dutch universities, particularly the university colleges, we are bringing you what we are calling a “deep dive” into UCG. Let’s start with the city. Groningen is located in the northernmost part of the country, about a two-hour train ride from Amsterdam. It is the youngest city in the Netherlands,…
I’ve been getting a lot of emails from college students in the US these days. Whether it’s due to the political climate in the US, frustration with how their universities (or fellow students) handled the pandemic, or seeing ROI issues around US higher education first hand, these students are seeking alternatives. Some have a year or more of college credits and others are working on their associate’s degree. The question I’m getting from these students is “How do I transfer to a university in Europe?” I wish I had a concise answer, but it takes a bit of explaining and…
Recently, disturbing images have been seared into the collective consciousness from the wildfires raging across the western United States. At the same time, there are wildfires burning in the Brazil, too. In January 2020, wildfires devastated large parts of the Australian countryside. In the United States, there is some debate over issues of climate change and sustainability that I won’t go into here. These topics are viewed differently in many parts of continental Europe. They’re seen as opportunities for growth and learning. This goes beyond learning for the sake of learning, though, and is about affecting change at scale. In…
Josh is a former US Marine from Florida who now studies International Relations at the University of Warsaw in Poland. His first international exposure came during his years of overseas duty. His posting to the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group really increased his interest in higher education and stoked a desire for continued international experiences. He also met his now-wife while serving at the US Embassy in Warsaw. Josh’s studies are financed through the GI Bill which, until recently, I didn’t realize could be used to fund college in Europe (more info here)! Why Are Veterans So Well Suited for College or Grad School in Europe?…
One of the ongoing tasks at Beyond the States is responding to comments on our various social channels and ads. It’s always interesting to interact with people who have been moved enough by our messages to share a comment. We received this message on an ad that shows a map of Europe the other day: “Yeah, funded by European taxpayers...” This comment represents a misconception that I’d like to explore. Are international students somehow taking advantage of European taxpayers by going to college in Europe? Here are three primary reasons that international students are good for Europe and not taking…
It’s hard to believe summer is ending, mostly because I don’t really remember it starting…From March until now seems like it’s been one long season called Covid. It’s been a pretty good summer, all things considered. As I mentioned before, Sam hiked the Camino de Santiago with friends, spent some time with us here in Portugal, and then returned to the Netherlands to move from the Hague to Rotterdam. I was concerned that he would check out academically after deciding to change schools in the spring, but he ended the second semester with really strong grades in all his classes.…
I just finished reading Jeffrey Selingo’s new book “Who Gets in and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions”. I’m sure I’ll be doing a post in the future about what I’ve learned as it’s a fascinating read! Some of the most disturbing chapters are those that describe what he heard when he sat in on admissions sessions at different universities, when the admissions counselors decide whether a student would be admitted or denied. There was the student who applied to Emory with strong grades and a rigorous curriculum but the admissions counselors felt he was “lackluster”. They were also concerned…
College in Europe 101 Jennifer covers all the bases about college in Europe in this presentation. Choosing the Right Program Jennifer discusses the factors that should weigh into your program choice. This information will pertain both to bachelor's and master's prospective students. Europe. Open Q&A followed the presentation. Master's Degree in Europe Overview Join Jennifer for an overview of available English-taught master's degrees in Europe. Interview with University College Groningen Admissions Counsellor On her most recent trip to the Netherlands, Jennifer met with Nynke-Boudien, Admissions Counsellor, to discuss a variety of areas of interest to potential attendees. College Options in Belgium and…
