september 2025 International Study Opportunities BY Will WILLIAMSON

College is not cheap, unfortunately, as everyone reading this likely knows

Just to get a bachelor’s degree in California, it will run you on average $8,637 per year (as of the 2022-23 academic year), or $34,548 for four years (National Center for Education Statistics). Luckily, as community college students, you are saving some of this total cost, but this tuition doesn’t even consider costs like those for books, housing, food, and some administrative fees that colleges may charge. For a 4-year degree, the typical American will have spent $108,584 at an in-state public school, $182,837 at an out-of-state public school, and $226,512 at a private school (Education Data Initiative). Even these costs are without mentioning the potential price tag of a post-bachelor’s degree.

I don’t mean to cause you unease with these numbers, if you have not had it already. I simply wish to paint the context in which we find ourselves in as college students. Many cannot afford these costs and are forced to go into debt for their education or back out of doing it at all. When I first began considering this severely disadvantageous system, I was frustrated. It only seemed reasonable, then, to look for opportunities outside of the system. And I did find them. As luck would have it, there are places in this world where college does not charge an arm, leg, and a soul to attend. So, if you are willing to travel just a little bit further from home and possibly to a country that does not speak English, here are some of those opportunities.

One of the most affordable countries for international schooling is Germany, an added bonus to having some of the most notoriously high-quality education in the world. Most public universities are entirely free in Germany, with some exceptions for certain specialized programs and graduate degrees. In total, you will need to have around $14,000 in a savings account to apply for a German student visa, as this is the estimated cost of study and living for one year (Study in Germany).

Another great option for affordable study is Japan, where most public undergraduate and graduate programs cost around $5,500 USD per year for international students (Study in Japan). While higher in cost than other some other international study options, Japan makes up for it in more ways than one, most notably the vibrant culture and low cost of living. Monthly, except to spend only about $1,000 a month, not including tuition (University Living).

If a Latin country sounds appealing to you, then Portugal could be a great choice for schooling. Even cheaper than Japan, the cost of living in Portugal can be as low as $800 a month, being on average 40% cheaper than in the USA (International Citizens Group). In Portugal, expect to pay as much as $5,300 for yearly tuition (Educations). Unlike previous options, few classes are taught in English in Portugal, so be prepared to learn some Portuguese.

These are just a few options of countries in which higher education may be more easily obtained. If you want to continue your education in the future, going international may be a good option for you. However, still be aware of the downsides that come with leaving home for a long period of time. Mainly, being far away from home in a culture foreign to your own will likely leave you feeling alienated and lonely for until you assimilate to your new surroundings. If this is not an issue for you, though, and you have been wanting to travel or even just have some novel experiences, consider it!

• Here are a few websites to check out!