By: Caitlin Katz
College brings new opportunities including going to new locations and experiencing new things. Being in another country allows you to immerse yourself in another culture and experience a different lifestyle. More than 300,000 students travel abroad whether it is to study, intern, or volunteer in other countries. Europe is the central leading destination for college students to study abroad. Some of the top locations include Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Germany. Studying abroad in Europe has become so popular and for good reasons!
The Ohio State University comes in at a national ranking of 40 for the number of students studying abroad and continues to have an increasing number of students each year. The top three locations that Ohio State sends students align with the top countries that people from the United States travel to: Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain.
Italy
If you love pizza and pasta, then this is the place to go to for authentic food! In 2021-2022, Italy was the top location to study abroad, with over 30,000 students traveling here. Universities in Italy are best for students studying arts, humanities, and business. Italy has an amazing education system, so you can’t go wrong!
Italy is known for:
- Culture
- Architecture
- Food
- Art
- Fashion
No matter where you are in Italy, there is so much to see and do. In Rome, you are surrounded by Italian culture. Some of the most visited places are The Coliseum, The Trevi Fountain, The Vatican City and many more historical sites. Living in Florence, you are in the birthplace of the Renaissance. Milan is the perfect place if you want to study fashion as it’s known worldwide for its fashion week.
United Kingdom
The central location for popular television shows like Ted Lasso and the Crown, the United Kingdom was the second most popular location for college students studying abroad. The UK is an easy transition, especially for those who only speak English!
The United Kingdom is known for:
- Sports
- Literature
- History
- Television shows
The UK has world-known institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and various others that receive high respect and recognition. This is the place for those who love literature, reading, and writing. The United Kingdom is famous for a wide range of literary writers such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, etc. William Shakespeare’s famous theater, Shakespeare’s Globe, is a great place to visit if you are a fan of his work.
Spain
Spanish is one the most spoken languages across the world, making Spain the place to go if you are looking for true Spanish immersion. It is one of the more affordable places when it comes to food and housing.
Spain is known for:
- Locations
- Music
- Sports
- Culture
- Language
- Food
Majors in the arts and humanities will have access to numerous resources and museums. Pablo Picasso, Diego Valaquez, and Salvador Dali are just some of the known artists from Spain. It is easy to travel around to countless historical sites with their easy transportation system. Famous museums can be found all over the country. You can not forget about the famous festivals that take place each year that are a huge part of the culture.
France
France is a beautiful place that is rich in history and culture. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame, and the Palace of Versailles are a few of the countless destinations that you could visit. Additionally, when you are bored of the city, take a trip to the countryside. France is known for its vineyards and beautiful rolling hills.
France is known for:
- Landmarks
- Cuisine
- Fashion
- Countryside
- Language
Did someone say fashion? Paris is another city known for its amazing fashion. Well known brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Saint Laurent, Hermes, and more were founded in France. Other popular majors studied in France include economics, business, hospitality, and tourism. If you want to study forensics or history, the catacombs located right under Paris are a great way to immerse yourself into your major.
Germany
Germany is a beautiful place to travel with a diverse landscape of hills, mountains, plains and valleys. It is an easy country to travel around in due to its extensive train system. Overall, it is a very affordable country. The best part of this is the low tuition rates for their public universities!
Germany is known for:
- Culture
- Food and Drinks
- Architecture
- Festivals (Oktoberfest and Cologne Carnival)
- Automobiles
- Classical Music
Germany is a prime location for those majoring in engineering, music, architecture, and economics. The automobile industry that has been succeeding for years with big-name brands originating in Germany. It is also the home of many classical musicians like Bach and Beethoven. If you are studying history or architecture, the cathedrals, monuments, and palaces are sights to see.
All of these countries provide amazing opportunities and experiences. The best country for you depends on what you are looking for in a program. This is just a brief overview of some of the top countries. Enjoy your travels!