By Lizzy Tsung
Circulation Editor
From Tokyo to London, Costa seniors prepare to combine world travel and higher education.
To students like senior Kristen Spence, international schools offer a chance to pursue their passions for travel. Spence plans to attend University of St Andrews in Scotland, hopeful of the broadened opportunities the foreign country has to offer.
“I chose to go to an international school because it is the gateway to the rest of the world,” Spence said. “Traveling is one of my favorite things to do and I feel that an international environment to study in will be such a fun experience. You get to meet people from all over the world, going international opens your mind up the rest of the world.”
Senior Rene Houseman on the other hand chose to attend Tokyo International School for reasons opposite of exploration. To him, college offers an opportunity to return home to his Japanese roots, whether it is through education or culture.
“I originally was born and grew up in Japan and I’ve been wanting to return to Asia for college,” Houseman said. “I feel like I have my foot in the door, I know the area, the language and the people. This is less of a college experience as it is a college and culture experience all at once.”
For some students, schools abroad provide connections to a country they love. For example, Senior Sally Goda’s plan to attend Sophia University in Tokyo began with her admiration for Japan that grew into a future career aspiration.
“The two language courses really help to give me options for careers in either Japan or the US,” Goda said. “During college, I’m going to be working as a voice actor. As for after college, I’m really thinking about pursuing a job in Japan that involves both English and Japanese, like media or travel.”
Senior Katherine Spencer, who is attending University of British Columbia in Vancouver, sees college as the ideal time to grow and learn. According to Spencer, international schools have the benefits of enhancement and enrichment in a foreign country.
“I have a dual citizenship in Canada and fell in love with Vancouver, it just made sense,” Spencer said. “Going to an international school is a great opportunity to thrive in a new environment, learn from different teachers, and meet a bunch of people from a new country.”
Attending schools in foreign countries also poses challenges, according to senior Britta Cameron. Cameron is aware of the cultural barriers that may affect her time at Newcastle University in England, but will not let that be a hindrance to her college experience.
“The culture is very similar but very different from what I am used to,” Cameron said. “I have to adjust to the language differences such as slang and accents, and also learn their mannerism, but I’m confident that after a few weeks it won’t be hard to adjust.”
According to College and Career Counselor Caryn Ramirez the application process varies little among international schools. Most schools tend to use the Common Application, which allows students to apply to a range of international and national schools with one application.
“The application process for international students is pretty much the same as in the US,” Ramirez said. “Sometimes, because their testing requirements are different, they are going to ask for additional testing materials, but that’s generally the biggest difference we see in terms of applying.”
Whether it is the social life or application process, Ramirez believes all college students will have a universal experience regardless of where they are located on the globe.
“I think some students have an urge for international experiences greater than traveling abroad,” Ramirez said. “All colleges have their own traditions and cultures, but everyone is still going to get their undergraduate student experience which I think is the great thing about college.”
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