This application season, several seniors are applying to colleges overseas where they have the opportunity to experience a new environment and open their eyes to different countries across the globe.

Senior Amity Ermarth is applying to several universities in Japan: Keio University, Doshisha University, Ritsumeikan University, and Meiji University.

“I’m half-Japanese so I’ve been to Japan a lot,” said Ermarth. “I just thought that it was somewhere I want to live instead of America.”

Half-German senior Annina Miller has family in Germany and would like to continue her studies there. She’s applying to the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and the University of Hamburg.

“[In Germany], the food is better, public transportation is great, and people seem to be more down to earth,” said Miller.

In Germany, admission to a university is guaranteed, saving the worries of not getting into any college. However, admission into a particular program is selective. Miller is interested in studying history, sociology, or business/economics, but she isn’t quite sure yet. Although Miller still applied to two schools in the US, applying overseas also gives her an outlet to escape current politics.

“The current atmosphere [in the US] is really depressing and polarized right now,” said Miller. “I want exposure to different people.”

Senior Grace McKay has applied to two universities in London. One is her top choice, the University of Greenwich, and the other is the University of East London. When searching for the few schools that had her intended major, Creative Writing, she came across the University of Westminster. That served as a gateway school and aided in her discovery of many other schools in London.

“I think the most appealing part of studying in London is that there are so many parts of the city to experience,” said McKay. “It’s a big mash of historical sites and modern entertainment so there is almost no way for you to be bored.”

McKay has already received offers from both schools she applied to and is leaning towards attending the University of Greenwich, though her decision also depends on the response from one of the schools she applied to in the US.

“Despite the visa stuff, applying [overseas] was a lot less stressful and most places take FAFSA which is a plus,” said McKay. “It may seem impossible but depending on where you look, tuition for international students is about the same for instate.”

Most seniors at WS choose to remain in-state either for financial reasons or because they want to stay near home. However, travel has no limits and going to college overseas can really broaden people’s horizons about the rest of the world.

“There are benefits and disadvantages to everything, but I think applying overseas is a great way to see what the rest of the world has to offer,” said Miller. “It helps your perspectives and how you can interact with people.”