Stay in the US or return to Europe for master's??

[international09]

I'd really appreciate if somebody would offer their thoughts on the following dilemma. Believe me, I have been banging my head on this for a year now and have not made

much progress

I am a EU citizen who graduated from a top US school 1 year ago with a BA in Political Science. In addition to my native tongue, I am fluent in English and German, just starting French. At this stage of my life, I think (like 90% certain) that I'd like to work for the EU as a diplomat.

I have been working for the past year in the IR field in the US, and now I'd like to get my master's in IR or Public Policy, but cannot make up my mind if I should just stick to European schools or also include schools in the US (and therefore would have to take the GRE).

Here is what I've got so far:

Applying to schools in the US:

Pros:

- settled/comfortable with the country/culture

- boasts some of the best and most known master's programs in IR/Public Policy in the world

- majority of the master's programs are very practical compared to those at European schools which tend to be more theoretical/academic-y (I realize I am generalizing here and there are exceptions)

Cons:

- very, very expensive compared to Europe

- restricted opportunities for employment (immigration hurdles)

- limited opportunities to network with the European policy circles because of location

Applying to schools in Europe:

Pros:

- generally cheaper

- no employment restrictions

- proximity to major European policy centers - Brussels, Paris, London, Berlin

- will come out with a more balanced and more international educational background vs getting both my BA and MA from US schools

Cons:

- concerned that unless it is Oxbridge/LSE, the degree won't have much recognition beyond Europe (what if I figure out that I don't want to work for the EU? I'd like a degree that would be flexible enough to support alternative career paths.)

I am sure that there are things I forget/I'm not thinking about, therefore I'd highly appreciate any feedback. I really would like to make an informed decision. Thank you in advance!!!

[balderdash]

I'd really appreciate if somebody would offer their thoughts on the following dilemma...

Well, I'm an American, just graduated from a US university and will be doing my master's in the UK, so I understand the trade-offs. I know it's a little bit of a cop-out, but it really is the best advice:

Pick the programs that you want to apply to, regardless of location. Act as if they're all in the same city. Once you get your acceptances, that's when you worry about these pros and cons. The reason is that your list now isn't bulletproof - for instance, you say you're settled/comfortable with the culture in the US, but what if the US program you got into were on the west coast, down south, in the midwest, et cetera? Cultures vary, and you might not actually be all that comfortable with where you're going. Or when you say it's much more expensive, you may get an aid package from the US degree (though I have to say, it is unlikely).

Besides, after you've been accepted, professors at the departments will be happy to have you air these concerns and talk them over.

[rachaelski]

Based on the info you provided, I would probably pick a school in the UK. I think that your readings, assignments, internship, etc. will be more relevant to your current interests. It's important to not only learn about IR as a general topic, but also to learn about areas in which you are specifically interested.

[international09]

thank you both for your feedback!

Well, I'm an American, just graduated from a US university and will be doing my master's in the UK, so I understand the trade-offs. I know it's a little bit of a cop-out, but it really is the best advice:

Pick the programs that you want to apply to, regardless of location. Act as if they're all in the same city. Once you get your acceptances, that's when you worry about these pros and cons. The reason is that your list now isn't bulletproof - for instance, you say you're settled/comfortable with the culture in the US, but what if the US program you got into were on the west coast, down south, in the midwest, et cetera? Cultures vary, and you might not actually be all that comfortable with where you're going. Or when you say it's much more expensive, you may get an aid package from the US degree (though I have to say, it is unlikely).

Besides, after you've been accepted, professors at the departments will be happy to have you air these concerns and talk them over.

Thanks for the advice, balderdash! Other people also suggested to me that I should apply to schools in both the US and Europe, and then decide depending on the acceptances. But the problem with this is that it will be pricey and also very VERY time-consuming (e.g. take GRE, etc.) That's why I am really trying to limit my options now, but I realize more and more that it is hard to do because I am comparing general trends in one country with those of a whole continent vs. solely comparing one university vs. another

[random_guy]

Stick to Europe. Cheaper (much!), quicker completion time and better ladies.

[BrandNewName]

I don't know how it is with the programs you're considering, but in my experience, deadlines and decisions happen much later in Europe (at least in Germany). Often times this "apply to all the programs you like and see what happens" method doesn't work because of varying deadlines.

As an American who's lived in Germany for the past 4-5 years and earned his MA here, here's my two cents: after blowing so much money on an undergraduate degree, I couldn't bear the thought of going further into debt in the name of getting an advanced degree. So, Germany it was. Four semesters cost me a total of 420 EUR. I saved a ton of money, got a degree from a respected German university, and even ended up getting hired in the department. I understand the fear that programs won't be known beyond Europe (that is, in fact, why I am now applying to PhD programs in the States), but I think you're better off saving your money. If at a later point in time you want to change career paths, you'll in all likelihood have a job record that speaks for itself or you could choose to pursue funded doctoral work somewhere in the States.

In short, my motto remains: don't blow your money on an MA in the States when you can get the qualification for next to nothing at most European universities.

Best of luck!

[international09]

I don't know how it is with the programs you're considering, but in my experience, deadlines and decisions happen much later in Europe (at least in Germany). Often times this "apply to all the programs you like and see what happens" method doesn't work because of varying deadlines.

As an American who's lived in Germany for the past 4-5 years and earned his MA here, here's my two cents: after blowing so much money on an undergraduate degree, I couldn't bear the thought of going further into debt in the name of getting an advanced degree. So, Germany it was. Four semesters cost me a total of 420 EUR. I saved a ton of money, got a degree from a respected German university, and even ended up getting hired in the department. I understand the fear that programs won't be known beyond Europe (that is, in fact, why I am now applying to PhD programs in the States), but I think you're better off saving your money. If at a later point in time you want to change career paths, you'll in all likelihood have a job record that speaks for itself or you could choose to pursue funded doctoral work somewhere in the States.

In short, my motto remains: don't blow your money on an MA in the States when you can get the qualification for next to nothing at most European universities.

Best of luck!

I appreciate your feedback a lot, outofredink!

Looking at the deadlines for the programs I am considering, I don't think that there is such a huge difference in their deadlines compared to US schools. However, there is a significant difference in their timing for announcing funding which is a HUGE problem. For example, a friend of mine got accepted to the Anthro program at Columbia, but found out about funding a week before the start of classes

But the point your raise about the cost is a significant one. I also have some loans from undergrad, and REFUSE to take out any loans to fund a master's degree because, unless it is a professional degree like JD, MBA or even MPA/MPP, I do not believe that the ROI justifies it but others may disagree.

Thanks a lot and good luck with the PhD applications!