My master’s is an interesting topic. To be honest, it took me a long time to come up with exactly why. Each time I answer the question, it’s a different answer, but I’ve come up with 5 main reasons. I’ve always known that I would probably need to do an advanced degree after college. With most of what I do, it’s required, and I also just really enjoy learning. So when I looked into every option and got my results back, doing my masters abroad was my best option! I made this decision because of money, access to resources, the school’s reputation, my long-term goals, and ultimately my desire to live abroad (at least temporarily).
Just as a disclaimer: I made this decision to go when I graduated to go, so before I was in a relationship. So I learned from my dad’s advice and decided not to make education choices from the lens of a relationship.
First, let’s talk money. It’s SO EXPENSIVE to go to school in the US. I thought college was bad, and luckily, I don’t have loans due to scholarships and grants. Still, the concept of spending nearly 100k or more just…..didn’t sit right with me. I don’t think I could wrap my mind around doing that. So I started looking abroad. Even despite the exchange rates, housing costs, and visa costs, still cheaper than most programs stateside.
Next, if I want to work in international relations, I need a certain level of access to resources that I can’t always get here in the US. With the exception of living in certain coastal cities or DC or NYC, there are limited opportunities here. There are plenty of NGOs and organizations that do that work, but limited budgets and options. By doing my masters abroad, I have access to the resources that King’s can provide as an internationally renowned program, but also the international student body that it attracts. This will hopefully be helpful as I start looking for jobs and who knows where it might lead.
The reputation of King’s is known worldwide, even in the US. That’s hard to find. There are a few universities that do in the US, but they’re mostly Ivy League schools. I don’t know if I could get into those Ivy League schools, but additionally, I want to have an international school on my resume. It will help me as I make my way in the field, substantially.
My long term career goals as both a creative, but also someone who wants to work in international relations both thrive when I’m abroad. I feel more creative writing and doing things while I’m abroad. I also feel more like myself when I’m abroad, so I can actually do what I need to do. Long term, I think it will be best for me to have a small break from the US and go, plus it’s a great school and a really interesting program.
Finally, my family makes fun a bit because they always expected me to want to go abroad. Were they wrong? Not really. I’ve wanted to live abroad since college, when I lobbied my parents unsuccessfully for me to attend St. Andrews. So I want to take this opportunity and go. I might stay for a few years, but I also might come back. So who knows what might happen, but I think this is the best time for me to explore those options.
I didn’t come to this decision lightly. I had to consider my family, my friends, my health, how I process and deal with grief, and more. Plus, planning to move and pack my stuff is not easy. It’s really…really…hard. I did make this decision and I’m committed to going and doing what’s best for me right now. I hope that you will stay with me and watch this journey as it unfolds because I’m really excited for what’s upcoming. If you are, join my email list and you’ll be the first to know!