An Education Abroad

What do Roman walls, bird watching, and a growing number of merit scholarships have in common? It has to be the University of York in the UK! We're joined by the always charming Mubarik Ibrahim, marking the first time in this podcast that one person has represented two unis, to talk about the joys of Clearing, the practicalities of liberal arts, and how London is the greatest city in the world (with apologies to my wife).

Today we're going in a completely different direction; for nearly 45 episodes, we've focused on the undergraduate experience. However, a growing number of people are interested in research opportunities.

One of the most interesting places in the UK to pursue a PhD in History is the Institute of Historical Research, a part of the School of Advanced Study at the University of London. Its Director, Professor Claire Langhamer, joined me to discuss what it's like to do a research degree more broadly in the UK, how history is studied at the IHR, and our love of a British actor known for having some of the worst jobs in history.

One of the biggest concerns students (and their families) have about applying to universities in the UK is what happens if they miss the requirements of their conditional offer. In this episode, we talk about what to do if that happens, and how sometimes, it isn't always a bad thing.

Thanks to everyone who let me know there was something off with the last podcast; I've re-recorded it, so enjoy!

This week, we're doing the opposite of an FAQ, instead focusing on things I wish everyone knew about international admissions. We're talking about everything from testing (and why you shouldn't be afraid of it), to making the most of your identity in your personal statement, and even the one time I recommend going to medical school overseas.

May is on-boarding month for us, especially following AP exams, so it's no surprise that we spend a lot of time answering questions about the whole idea of going overseas. In this podcast, we address the most frequently asked ones; that said, there are some shifts in thinking, so even if you're an expert, you might be surprised to hear how the overseas education world is changing.

Imagine going to an Irish medical school in Malta? Or getting an Australian business degree in Singapore? Or a British chemistry qualification in China?

Increasingly, third nation qualifications, where a person from country A earns a degree in country B from a university that follows the educational traditions of country C, are becoming a fact as universities seek to broaden their enrollments, and their reputations.

While Americans are not always the targets, there are amazing opportunities, including for those who want to study medicine overseas as undergrads.

When your wife is a family and estate lawyer, and one of your best friends is a financial advisor, a lot of your conversations lean towards the macabre. While we've discussed 529 plans, there's always the chance that you might have to make plans for the worst case scenario.

Luckily, we've got two people who can do it with a lot of grace and humor. Austin Decker is an Investment Advisor with Eagle Strategies, and my wife Kait helps families throughout Texas plan for the future. In this episode, we talk about how to use trusts, wills, and insurance to plan for the unthinkable, all while (almost) resisting the urge to plug their SEC alma maters.

Unless you're limiting yourself to a handful of programs (or Ireland), if you want to study in the EU, you're going to need to speak another language. There can be considerable savings in tuition and living expenses, as well as an incredible experience that ensures no one ever doubts your ability in that language.

But how do we measure it? This episode addresses a conversation we're increasingly having with students, about how much is enough in terms of language ability.

Let's face it, the end of March can be tough. But that doesn't mean you're not without options!

Thomas Day of Newcastle joins us to talk about late applications in the UK. Whether you're looking at Extra, Clearing, or just an application after the deadline of equal consideration, plenty of British universities still have spots open.

Welcome to Season 2 of the An Education Abroad Podcast!

Over the past several years, I've focused especially on more traditional routes to higher education overseas, but that doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of great options for students with dual enrollment or transfer credits. Emma Schwartz and Ashley Warmington recently founded Transfer Abroad Network, a platform that helps students with academic credit from higher education institutions in the US find their ideal spot abroad, often while receiving credit for previous coursework!

As we get started with Season 2, we are hoping to bring more innovative content like this, given the recent rise in interest in going abroad. From summer applications for the fall to PhDs you can do remotely (as well as some great university profiles!), it's going to be a great few episodes, and we're excited to have you along!

IE University is one of the most popular choices for my students, and we're lucky enough to be joined by Cora Morrison, the Senior Manager for North America Undergraduate Recruitment of IE, to learn why. Big city? Check! Fairy tale-esque college town? Check! Global network deep at the heart of business? Check! Yet somehow still engaged with humanities, social sciences, and even natural sciences? Absolutely!

We've been talking a lot about Oceanic universities lately, and for good reason! It's not too late to apply for the fall, applications are stress free, and they can save you thousands! Today I talk with Ashley Monaghan, and we discuss everything from admissions at one of the world's top universities to how this job makes me feel like a Disney character.

Ever want to disappear to the other side of the world and nerd out (or is that just me?) Then you might want to consider the southernmost university in the world, the University of Otago in New Zealand. I'm joined by Teri Higgins, a proud Otago alum, to talk about just how welcoming the university is, despite being one of the most storied unis in the English-speaking world.

This week we're joined by Alex, a second-year student at the University of Glasgow. Alex had perhaps the most stressful route to uni that any of our students has ever had, but she is clearly doing well. Beyond Clearing, Alex also tells us about student life at the University of Glasgow, and how students can expect to blow off steam while at uni.

When I posted about later applications to the UK on TikTok (laugh it up, as I definitely am), I went from 94 followers to nearly a thousand. Clearly, there's some demand for this! In this episode, I put special emphasis on routes for students who don't have a lot of AP tests.

One of the most rewarding parts of our work has to be the students, and this year was no exception. We're looking forward to bringing perspectives from more than a few of our students this year, but we thought we'd kick things off with Ella, a future history student at UCL. Ella and I talk about the admissions process in the UK and try not to get distracted by our mutual love of history; we only succeed at one of those things.

The past few months have seen a lot of talk about international students in other countries; Australia has seen more than it's fair share. We have Todd St. Vrain from the University of Melbourne on to talk about what it all means for Americans.

James Cook University has a ton going for it: It's got a tropical location, three amazing campuses (including one in Singapore that is wonderful for students looking to enter one of the most dynamic job markets on Earth!), and incredibly straightforward admissions for American students. They've also got my good friend Emma Schwartz, who is an amazing advocate for the university (and co-host of the other international education podcast you all should be listening to, the Go Abroad Pod!).

Want to really get away? I mean really get away? Then think about New Zealand! As Kelsey Jackson of VUW explains, there are tremendous options in New Zealand, not the least of which Victoria University of Wellington. As if New Zealand wasn't awesome enough (and it is), they've got incredible admissions standards for Americans.

There is a ton of misinformation out there about paying for college. Some people will try to convince you to negotiate the price of college like it's a used car. Others will suggest that you declare your child independent.

In addition to being wrong, a lot of these are unethical (or even illegal!)

You won't get that sort of misinformation from Brock Jolly, Founder of the College Funding Coach. Are 529s plans the most interesting thing on the planet? Well, not to me. However, Brock makes them sound so easy to use that you might actually be excited about starting one.

We've been receiving a lot more questions about how to apply to universities overseas than usual. A lot of people are expressing an interest in transferring, perhaps as soon as the next semester. Luckily there are still routes to doing so, at least for a few more days, if you're willing to go to Australia. I'm joined by Todd St. Vrain from the University of Melbourne and Emma Schwartz of James Cook University to discuss what American students can do to transfer to Australia in February 2025.

It's no secret that I think Durham University is pretty great, so we're pretty excited to have Jessa Collings, the Deputy Head of International Student Recruitment at Durham, around to talk about what makes it one of the most unique universities in the UK. From the fact it feels like a North American liberal arts college in a smaller college town to the liberal arts programs offered by the university, there's a lot to love here.

Not many business schools can offer a sailing team on Lake Como, exclusive access to Milan Fashion Week, and one of the most integrated global alumni networks. But Bocconi can. From their straightforward approach to admissions to their emphasis on preserving Italy's global heritage, Thea Mauro has every reason to be proud of her alma mater, where she currently works in the International Recruitment Office.

Oh, and apologies for this being a few hours late; apparently I forgot the difference between AM and PM.

Established as a university to train hospitality professionals, EHL is now one of the leading business schools in Europe. As Nicolas Terrieux shares, their focus on both hard and soft skills of business and culture make them an exceptionally attractive choice to the right student, and chances are the right student is a more broad term that you might think.

This week I got to sit down with Richard Montauk, one of the original voices of advice in all things educational consulting. It was an absolute honor to speak with him, and as always, he's a wealth of information on what law schools (or business schools, or top colleges) really like to see.

What do the best student union in the UK, life-saving research with the National Health Service, and ducks have in common? If you guessed the University of Sheffield, you'd be right (and probably leaning over my shoulder, because how else would you get that answer?). Join Haley Drogus, Sheffield's dedicated person for the Americas, as we discuss one of the coolest universities in the UK.

One of the best ways to stand out to universities is to prove you're already ready for university-level work. To that end, Dual Enrollment courses can be incredibly useful, but they're not perfect. That said, with a few tweaks, they can be an incredibly useful tool to help you get into university overseas.

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).

Kevin sits down with Sam, a student who Kevin worked with for the past two years for his overseas applications. Sam talks about his experiences in applying overseas, and why he ultimately chose not to apply to Oxbridge (at least not for now).

Today we talk about the Digital SAT with my good friend Lisa Speransky, founder of Ivy Tutors Network. We learn that adaptive testing isn't something to be all that scared of. Behind the scenes, I learn just how useful audio editing can be as the two Aussies were not having a good day...

We talk to the number one private university in Germany, and Islamic finance make an odd appearance in discussing Constructor University's novel method to increase affordability and invest its own financial future in that of its students.

Y'all are in for a treat today. Mark Stucker, host of Your College Bound Kid (where I got my feet wet in the world of podcasting) and founder of School Match 4 You, comes on to talk about the importance of fit and match. If you ever needed a fool-proof way to describe why one school isn't perfect for everyone, Mark's got it.

Aly Stewart, the International Recruitment Manager for North America, joins Kevin to talk about the University of Edinburgh. Home to one of the best vet schools in the world, a number of famous scientists and thinkers, and even a student who learned middle school history from Kevin (who, I'm proud to say, stayed with the social sciences), Edinburgh has a lot to offer.

Ned Johnson, President and Tutor-Geek at PrepMatters in Bethesda, MD, was one of my first phone calls when I decided to take the plunge and do this for real. He, for some odd reason, still answers the phone.

He's also the co-author of "The Self-Driven Child," which takes the question of motivation and addresses it in a way that is beneficial to the mental health of children and adults. Given how much we talk about mental health in the context of college admissions, this one matters.

This week we talk to Todd St. Vrain of the University of Melbourne. Ranked #14 in the world, UniMelb has a lot to offer students who don't want the uncertainty of less quantitatively-driven admissions decisions, even though there is one rather odd entrance requirement.

We talk to Vince Garcia, a long-time IEC and interviewer for the Point Foundation, about issues faced by LGBTQ students when applying both in the US and overseas. Notably, we talk about the best ways to make transitioning to a new country as smooth of a process as possible.

Whenever I meet with students, the question of St. Andrews comes up, simply because everyone has heard of St. Andrews. Ivar Moller of St. Andrews joins me to discuss the flexibility of Scottish degrees, the extremely high graduation and retention rates of UK universities (but particularly St. Andrews), and the temptation of Ancient History.

Normally we aim to release shows every Wednesday, but since we're having Newcastle and St. Andrews on a panel this Thursday, we wanted to make sure people were familiar with both (we're also having the University of Melbourne on, but they will be our next profile!).

Thomas Day of Newcastle is passionate about the absolutely awesome place of Newcastle University both regionally and internationally, and is walking proof of the power of a university that in a lot of ways feels like UNC Chapel Hill, but without the deep-seated rivalry of its neighbor in Durham. Also, I edited out all the talk between Thomas and me about comparative linguistics. You're welcome.

Every podcast needs an awkward first episode, and one about going overseas for university is no different. Kevin is joined by his friend Julia Esquivel, a college counselor at the Milton Academy, to discuss how he ended up in this field.