Hey, /trv/. I'm a 26 year old American guy. I have a 4 year university degree, no university debt and about $20,000 in savings. Recently I've been interested in looking into doing some further studies in Europe. I don't have a set plan but am leaning toward a Master's in something Social Science-y. I am also open to to doing like a technical/trade qualification, though I don't know how viable and transferable the credential would be going back to the US when I finish?
I am most interested in going to: The UK, Nordic Countries/Scandinavia, Germany, The Baltics, Czech Republic, Switzerland or Netherlands.. BUT I am open minded and willing to go ANYWHERE based on important factors like:
>It has to be a program taught in English
>How generous and open the rules are about part time work to support yourself
>cost of living
>ability to get a job in the country after studying
Etc.
I've heard that many programs in Europe are free? Is this true even in the case of US Nationals, or is it just for EU citizens/Schengen people?
Does anyone know which countries definitely offer programs that are free of charge or otherwise very cheap for US Nationals?
Any recommendations for a country/school/program, etc? I realize my plan is vague right now, I'm just trying to widdle down my options as much as possible so I eventually can get more focused.
Thanks!
>>1060077
>>1060077
Thank you very much. I appreciate it. What would you say qualifies as "shit tier degree?"
As I said, I am interested in doing something in Social Sciences/Law/Public Policy/International Relations. Would you consider these shit tier? Or else a technical/trade thing if it's viable.
Or are you talking about like... fine arts or women's studies or something?
I am flexible about the location, but I am most interested in Northern Europe, particularly Norway or Sweden. I think they are beautiful peaceful countries with interesting history and very nice women. (I'm getting closer to 30 and will admit I would be looking for someone to settle down with).
But I think they are expensive too. Espepcially Norway. A big question I have is what is the likelihood of me having to take out a loan to cover expenses even if I can secure part time work?
Night, Anon. Thanks again.
>>1060080
Thanks again. Social work and special ed. Are those two year programs? I've did ESL teaching in Asia to pay off my loans so I have some teaching experience, at least in some capacity.
What country are you from?
OP, do your research on the universities and countries they're based in. Some countries in Europe have free education for all students but this is mostly for bachelor's degree. I think only Germany has free master's degree education for foreigners. In Sweden for example it's free for EU nationals but those outside have to pay. Now the prices are still much lower than what you'd pay in the US. The programs I looked at around 15-25k and the programs last 1 year only so if compared to the $50-100k masters degrees in the US, it's cheap and you'll have an extra year of working to pay it off.
>>1060084
Right I'll just have to look more into specific school's and programs. 25k, while much cheaper than in the US for a masters, is still a lot of money and perhaps not a financial gamble I'm willing to take for social sciences master.
Op here. After some research is appears Norway is free if it's a public university. Perhaps I should focus on Norway.
>>1060077
>expect 1-2k/months for food and housing
Haha what the fuck, you need 800/month AT MOST.
>>1060078
>and very nice women. (I'm getting closer to 30 and will admit I would be looking for someone to settle down with).
You realize that "settling down" doesn't exist as a concept anymore, right? Unless you find someone who's 40-50 and still has that in their heads. For your generation and younger, nope, good fucking luck.
>>1060100
>orway is free if it's a public university.
Will you have the necessary requirements and enough knowledge to score well at the entrance exam? "Free" doesn't mean free for any hobo off the street, it means free for the people who satisfy requirements, tests, etc. and actually get in.
>>1060195
OP here, what about in Norway specifically? I know Norway is very expensive. I am still open to other options but I am focusing on Norway for now because:
-After looking into it more, I've found that tuition is indeed free for US nationals
-The programs at U's of Oslo and Bergen look pretty intriguing
-I am an outdoor person and Norway looks absolutely amazing in this regard
-Pretty girls for potential wife
I'm open to other options so if you have idea please share them but I think I will focus on Norway.
>>1060197
>"Free" doesn't mean free for any hobo off the street
I'm OP. Did I say that? Clearly I am speaking of nothing more than the simple fact that tuition is free.
Further, why exactly are you just assuming the worst of me and assuming I'm clueless or not qualified--"a hobo off the street"? Or that I have no concept of entrance exams or any of that? Why are you being so hostile?
>>1060197
You're a bit of a dick, t.b.h. m.8.
Holland is something like 1500 euros for a 1 year masters course taught in English
>>1060209
No hostility meant, it's just how it is. Sorry, I don't know how to butter up the asshole in English.
>>1060222
OP here. Interesting. I saw some programs researching about Norway that are also a year. Not sure how I feel about one year programs. Seems kind of iffy, but I'd be willing to give it a try. Hey if it's 3000 for a two year program that is reasonable.
>>1060070
>about $20,000 in savings
Not OP, but is that enough to cover all the living expenses?
>>1060352
With working a part time job while you study it should be more than enough.
>>1060366
Are you sure? I am thinking of doing something similar. As for accomodation, is it better to live on campus?
Btw we are talking about US dollars, right?
I think doing part-time work will suck though even if it is in a foreign country.
>>1060070
Germany is a good option for you.
Check out daad.de/en/
It will list all masters programs taught in english in your area of study.
Most germany unis are tuition free.
>>1060368
OP here, thanks. I'll look into Germany too.
Are you German? Do you think you could give me a rough estimate of monthly expense in Germany? Rent + living expenses like food and spending money? How much are wages for random part time jobs usually? Bartender, Barista, etc.
I'd be more worried about getting a part time job in Germany because I think more Norwegians speak English well than Germans, do you think this would be a problem? Of course, I'll be taking language classes in either German or Norwegian if I end up doing this, but realistically I probably won't become very good at the language, especially if I'm devoting my time to the masters + part time job. (Although the job would be a good chance to practice).
As the tuition is free in Germany and Norway my biggest concern right now would be figuring out monthly living expense and getting a rough budget for the two year span.
I am willing to live with a roommate(s) and I am not a party-every-weekend kind of person (maybe like once or twice a month).
>>1060352
That's enough for 5 years in Central/Eastern Europe, 2-3 years in Western.
>>1060370
Not the other guy but I lived in a Nordic country (Finland) for a year:
As far as expenses go, they should be covered with your $20,000 if we're assuming $1=€1. €800/month, rent included (if you don't go for something expensive of course; I'd advise you to find a flatmate anyway), is indeed enough, especially if you're not the partying kind. It was approximately my budget (I even had a little less), and I could go out multiple times a week, eat without having to worry about money, travel a bit, etc. Norway is more expensive than Finland, but if you don't fuck up or have stupidly high standards it should be okay. Actually you might've heard about Finland wanting to implement a basic income of €800, so basically their government agrees with this estimation as well...
I'm not sure you could find a job without speaking the language though, as fluent as the people there will be. They have enough other students willing to take the jobs you'd want to apply for, and able to speak with customers in their native language as well as to cater for foreigners in English if needed, for it to actually make sense to hire a foreigner struggling with Norwegian (that you'd probably pick up quicker than you believe by the way: it's basically the closest language there is to English apart from Scots...). I'd advise you to start working on the language at home as soon as you're decided on your destination, otherwise I can assure you you'll end up trapped in a vicious cycle: having a job would help you improve quickly at the language, but without a solid enough knowledge of it you won't find one; having friends would be a great asset too, but you'll at first only socialise with English speakers, hence never feeling the need to improve in Norwegian/German, nor finding the appropriate environment. Especially if your degree is in English, hence your classmates English-speakers. Immersion is only good if you already have something to work on.
>>1060536
OP here, thanks for the reality check. I assume you did not work a job in Finland for the same reason?
After looking into it briefly, it seems that getting a part time job in Germany might actually be a little bit easier than Norway though not super easy. Perhaps I should shift focus to Germany. Does anyone have any insights on getting a part time job in Germany as an American who does not speak German. I want to emphasize that I am willing to do anything, even wash dishes.
>>1060370
If you dont party often it's inexpensive. 800€ a month is more than enough for rent, food and a couple nights out, provided you live with roommates. "Wohngemainschaft" is a pretty standard living arrangement for students and is actually really fun. Baristas and bartenders make decent wages... Not sure exactly... I hate working and have always just relied on "alternative" work
>>1060619
OP here, I have bartending experience. Do you think it would be someone doable for me to get a job doing that part time in Germany? How about working in a hostel?
As someone in a similar situation to OP, I was wondering how North American employers view degrees from the EU. I did my degree in Canada and am debating between the EU and Canada for a masters, with the intention of working in Canada. Is a masters from the EU a benifit, detriment or neither?
Not OP, but excluding tuition fees, is it more expensive to do a Master's degree in western Europe, northern Europe, Australia or New Zealand?
How much should I have saved up before moving to these countries for a one year program?
Caught between Germany and Norway - nobody even thinks of poor little Denmark :(
>>1061314
OP here, Sorry Danebro, tell your government to let US citizens and not just EU people/Schengeners get free tuition and I will consider your country.
>>1061374
Available for everyone, as long as you're an EU citizen. You can work up to 15 hours a week along with your studies, and will have free health care while you're here. Pretty sweet. Cost of living might be a bit expensive tho.
>>1061349
Will do
>>1061407
To do a masters it would require you have a bachelor already. And that you match the grade on your exam to the average grade they require, but that varietes from course to course. You can also in special cases start class of you have any experience in the field but no fancy degree. This is referred to as Quote 2, Quote 1 being the grades.
>>1061407
Cost of living would roughly be around 5000DKK a month, if you compromise on living by yourself and having expensive habits. Again, it's different from town to town
>>1061404
Same as anywhere, I'd say it's probably difficult to find a part time job unless you know Danish.
>>1061476
>>To do a masters it would require you have a bachelor already. And that you match the grade on your exam to the average grade they require, but that varietes from course to course.
Ok, so it's not for slackers who just barely passed 15 years ago.
What about bachelors?
>>1060070
>about $20,000 in savings
not op, but is that amount enough to rent your own flat?
>>1061505
You can't know until you try mate. Denmark is a really understanding country and good at giving chances.
>>1061505
To do a bachelor you would have to have past the Danish high school that we refer to as "gymnasium".
>>1061587
It should be yeah, but generally Denmark is a quite expensive country. But we also get paid a lot in salary
>>1061620
And other EU high schools don't count? I mean, I got into a university in my country just fine, but that was a long time ago, and I never finished. I guess I'm shit out of luck and I should just go die. Oh well.
>>1061623
It should count, it doesn't matter how long ago it was. If you've been accepted into an University once you should be qualified :) don't worry mate, it's never too late to change your career path
>>1060070
why don't you just do your degree in America?
>>1060070
>$20,000
not OP, but is that amount enough to allow you to live comfortably in OP's case?
After seeing this post I'm now considering getting my bachelors degree from somewhere in Europe (I'm American). I plan on going into some type of international business someday and would probably get my degree in business administration of possibly economics. I feel studying in another country would benefit my future career. Anybody have any insight to being an international student in Europe? Right now I'm leaning towards studying in Germany, but I'm open to suggestions. Pic unrelated
>>1062839
bump
>>1060716
I would like to know this as well.
First time posting in this thread so no hate please.
It seems many EU universities accept the Sat scores we take in America, what's usually an average score to go to university in the Nordic or Baltic regions?
Bumping
I hope at least some of you went to school past the basics. I'd find it hard that you guys travel otherwise without oil rig or mine work.
