Americans Going to College In Europe: Expert Tips from a Consultant

Update: 2025-09-03

Description

For people in the US who are really passionate about intellectual freedom, the options of college abroad are appealing to a lot of different groups of people for a lot of really motivating reasons. – Karen Shopoff Rooff, Independent College Consultant

Useful Resources

Production Team
Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly-Barton – We’re Moving to Europe

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives

[0:03 ] Feeling overwhelmed about moving to Europe?
[0:10 ] Introducing the We're Moving to Europe community
[0:23 ] Learn at your own pace with expert support
[0:29 ] Monthly classes, tools, and resources
[0:37 ] Reliable, up-to-date information
[0:43 ] Practical guidance and early podcast access
[0:58 ] Helping you make your own decisions
[1:08 ] Find us at skool.com
[1:48 ] Welcome and intro to the episode
[2:19 ] Meet Karen Shopoff Rooff
[2:52 ] How Karen got into college coaching
[3:29 ] Addressing educational inequity
[4:18 ] Pandemic-era inspiration and early work
[5:07 ] Finding the right fit for students
[5:33 ] Dispelling college consultant myths
[6:05 ] Karen's international education story
[7:01 ] Life-changing London experiences
[8:18 ] Study abroad as a valuable experience
[9:05 ] Specialized training for international options
[10:14 ] Rise in interest for college abroad
[11:10 ] Factors driving interest in EU colleges
[12:19 ] Safety and intellectual freedom
[12:53 ] Why European college might be a better fit
[13:22 ] When it's *not* a good fit
[13:59 ] Maturity and independence required
[15:00 ] Financial considerations of EU degrees
[15:53 ] Housing challenges in the Netherlands
[16:42 ] Knowing your kid’s resilience
[17:39 ] Academic differences in EU colleges
[18:08 ] Transparent EU admissions process
[19:00 ] Application pre-reads and reduced guesswork
[20:05 ] Grading systems and assessment style
[21:16 ] High stakes grading vs busywork
[21:45 ] Program rigidity and flexibility differences
[22:21 ] Mini-courses and short modules
[23:13 ] Importance of time management skills
[24:05 ] FAFSA and financial aid in Europe
[25:14 ] Merit scholarships for international students
[26:03 ] Risks of switching programs
[26:51 ] A costly time zone mistake
[27:34 ] Tracking deadlines for scholarships
[28:28 ] Disability accommodations in EU colleges
[29:24 ] When to start planning for college abroad
[30:32 ] APs, IBs, and test prep importance
[31:41 ] Visiting EU schools and virtual tours
[32:45 ] Better virtual tours than in the US
[33:43 ] International student resources
[34:46 ] The emotional impact on families
[35:20 ] Family transitions and multiple moves
[36:14 ] When transition is harder than expected
[37:07 ] Supporting your child emotionally
[38:01 ] Normalize the fear of a big move
[38:26 ] Where to find Karen Shopoff Rooff
[39:16 ] Show credits and closing