The US and Australia are widely admitted as the two most popular study destinations for Indonesian students. They have top-quality education and plenty of world-class universities. Yet, we know, these countries might be just a little bit too mainstream and less-intriguing for those who love adventures. For those people, we recommend Europe. Europe has a lot of universities with similar excellence to offer. Studying in countries like France or Germany may sound tempting. We have listed some of the benefits you will gain and the challenges that you may encounter, for your consideration.

Why you should choose Europe as your study destination?

1. Similar best-quality, but more affordable

Europe universities give you extra flexibility financially. You can choose a program that costs thousands of Euros from a private university in Switzerland, or an almost zero-cost major from a public university in Germany. Such difference in costs does not necessarily affect the quality of education though. Most programs in Europe universities are internationally standardized with comparable academic rigor to those in the US or UK. The tuition discrepancy is caused by different approaches . Each university in Europe has its own method to determine the tuition for international students, but they are all supervised by the government.

2. Travel opportunity

Studying in Europe is an opportunity for you to fill all those blank pages in your passport. You can just hop on a train (or take the budget airlines) and visit France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain and Italy all at once during your summer holiday. Since most European countries are united in Euro-zone, you only need a single visa to visit them all, which is the Schengen Visa.

3. Master new language

If you already can speak in English - that is good. Imagine if you could also speak  in French or Svenska, for example, that'd be extraordinary! Although there are plenty of programs delivered in English, you still need to learn the local language to survive in your daily life. You can take language courses offered by the universities (in some cases, for free) to help you expand your social life and master another new language!

Some obstacles or challenges you might face:

1. Settling in

Yes, it is impressive to master another foreign language beside English, but for most people, learning a new language may not be a simple task. You need extra patience and bravery to practice a new language and study your subjects at the same time. As you move into a new country, you will need to find your accommodation. Unlike in the US, the concept of dorm life in Europe is entirely foreign. You must find your own housing, which could be a hassle when you are new into the country. Research early!

2. Different educational approach

According to various sources, European universities use exams as a primary mode of grading. You are expected to take a more active role in classes and daily life. It does not mean that you will be abandoned, but as an international student, you must take responsibilities of your own learning process and able to perform solo with minimum guidance from school officials.