Grad school in Europe or US?

[intldvpt123]

Hi everyone,

 

I am facing a pretty tough decision as many of you around here do too I am sure. Here is my situation: 

 

I have to pick between a highly ranked school in the US that offered me some funding, but not enough to cover all the cost. OR a newer, much, much smaller school in Europe but that seems promising and would be pretty much free to attend... 

 

I have the opportunity to live with family while in the US, but I don't know if I want to do that. Even in that case, I'll have to come up with the remaining 40K to pay for my tuition (I don't have undergrad loans anymore and it kinda scares me to get loans again). On the other hand, I really miss living in Europe (I am a dual EU/US citizen).

 

I want to work for an international governmental organization (like UN) and be based in Europe.

 

So long story short: prestigious expensive school in the US that will lead to debt, or little school without much credentials in Europe with no debt.

 

[WorldPeaceMaker2010]

What is the little Europe school?

[intldvpt123]

What is the little Europe school?

United Nations/Maastricht University in the Netherlands v. George Washington U

Edited March 17, 2015 by intldvpt123

[WorldPeaceMaker2010]

I lived in Europe for 4 years, going to Uni for undergrad there. Having come back to the us now with a European degree what I can tell you is that if you want to end up in academia or do research after living in the US, Then go to school in the US, it will be a huge uphill battle to get back into the US research area respectably if your grad degree is European. However if you want to work abroad or get a job after outside of research and universities, then Europe normally is not a bad thing for a degree to work in the public or industry sector after. The school you got into is pretty well respected there by Europeans and international corporations who are based in Europe.

[intldvpt123]

I lived in Europe for 4 years, going to Uni for undergrad there. Having come back to the us now with a European degree what I can tell you is that if you want to end up in academia or do research after living in the US, Then go to school in the US, it will be a huge uphill battle to get back into the US research area respectably if your grad degree is European. However if you want to work abroad or get a job after outside of research and universities, then Europe normally is not a bad thing for a degree to work in the public or industry sector after. The school you got into is pretty well respected there by Europeans and international corporations who are based in Europe.

 

 

Thanks! Yeah, I am not interested in academia and it makes me feel better what you said about the school being recognized in Europe. I like that school and the city (and the cost!), I just know the field I want to pursue is really competitive and lots of candidates are from LSE, NYU, Columbia, etc. 

 

Thanks again!

[WorldPeaceMaker2010]

The city is really really nice there. Another thing to think about too is depending on what exactly the field is doing the European degree very cheaply, then if you want to have more acceptance in the US would be to do a one year program after or a certificate program in a specialization in the US afterward ( which is way cheaper than a normal degree) to give yourself a more competitivate edge and show future employers that you have experience working in both environments.

[intldvpt123]

The city is really really nice there. Another thing to think about too is depending on what exactly the field is doing the European degree very cheaply, then if you want to have more acceptance in the US would be to do a one year program after or a certificate program in a specialization in the US afterward ( which is way cheaper than a normal degree) to give yourself a more competitivate edge and show future employers that you have experience working in both environments.

 

That's a good idea, I didn't think about that! I did get my undergrad in the US, so I have experience in both environment already. 

[hikarizx]

I think if you want to live/work in Europe it makes sense to go to school there. I don't know specifics about how the UN makes hiring decisions though.. from what I've heard it's about who you know.

[serenade]

WorldPeaceMaker2010: Just a question, out of curiosity: is the reverse true as well? Is it hard for people with US degrees to get jobs at universities in the UK? 

[Cestlavie]

American Universities are the best in the world. Europe just doesn't compare, because the Unis there tend to be indebted, poorly funded etc. They rely on state funding, and socialism breeds inefficient and shoddy administration. Only Europeans think that their universities are as good as those in America. If you want to study anywhere outside of Europe (Asia, Oceania, North America etc), having a degree from a US uni is much better than one from a European uni. I know that costs are a concern, but once you get a job, you'll pay off your debt and never look back. Its in your long term interests to go all American.