How to Choose Your “Dream Country” to Study In

So you've decided to send your child to study abroad, and at once a question arises: where? England, the USA or Switzerland? Or perhaps the UAE or Singapore? 

Countries differ in far more than their flags and languages. Each has its own quirks when it comes to visas, teaching style, prices and character. Some are best for short courses and summer camps, others for strong boarding schools, others again for top universities. Then there is the difference in mentality: the Western approach versus the Asian one. And Asia has changed enormously in recent years.

East and West

For a long time the picture looked clear: the West meant freedom, creativity and project work; Asia meant rote learning, discipline and endless tests. That simplification no longer holds.

Over the past 15–20 years, Asian education has taken a great leap forward. Singapore has built critical thinking and team projects into its schools. China has poured vast sums into universities that now outrank many European ones in the global rankings. South Korea and Japan offer powerful technical education while adapting their programmes for international students. Malaysia and the UAE have become hubs for branch campuses of British and Australian universities — a Western degree for half, or even a third, of the price.

On the other side, the West — and Europe in particular — has tightened up considerably in the exact sciences. Germany and France have long been less about «free creativity» and more about rigorous engineering and research.

So splitting the world into a «free West» and a «strict Asia» no longer rings true. Far better to look at the specific country and the specific programme.

How not to get confused

Start with your goal. If you want to improve your child's English and broaden their horizons, look at summer camps in England, Switzerland and the UAE. If the aim is a place at a Western university, choose a school offering A-level or IB (England, Switzerland, the USA, Singapore). And if you want a rigorous academic grounding with an emphasis on mathematics and the sciences, take a look at Germany, Singapore or China.
 

Need help?

We match options to your budget and goals. We know the ins and outs of visas, the particulars of each country, and the standing of individual schools and camps. If the choice still feels hard, just ask. We'll tell you about specific countries and schools, with none of the marketing fluff.