Investing in the Future: The Advantages of European Education for Your Family

8 Advantages of Education in Europe for Expats

The modern western civilization, the Age of Enlightenment, major advances in cartography and navigation and so much of the human knowledge were all born in the same region: Europe. To this day, the continent is known to be a place filled with culture, ancient theories and home to some of the most educated countries in the world. Something that can be seen not only within classrooms but as an integral part of its residents' lives. The results of the European education system can be seen on public transportation, on the streets and, of course, inside schools and universities, as it truly shapes how people act day in, day out.  

For all that, seeking any type of degree in Europe does not just mean going for a diploma that will be well accepted. It also means being able to learn a way of living that is based on education at every level. However, there are also some much more tangible advantages of the European Education System. In this article, we will cover 8 of them.

1. Culture and Heritage

European nations are some of the oldest in the world and heritage is taken seriously in the continent. By studying in any European country, you will most likely be able to have easy access to some of humanities' most emblematic ancient sites like, for example, the Colosseum in Rome or the Parthenon in Athens.

Modern history is also a big part of the package. Places like Anne Frank’s Museum in Amsterdam or the Berlin Wall Memorial keep important parts of human biography fresh in our minds.

Culture is also another given, with some of the world’s most important museums located in Europe such as the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay in Paris or the British Museum in London.

Attending school or graduating in Europe means being able to immerse yourself in this rich environment, and to gain another perspective on the world’s main events and theories while also being around the perfect mix between the old and the new world.

2. Interconnectivity

With many countries bordering on each other and those that are within the European Union having practically no borders at all, travelling and soaking in a diversity of information, landscapes and overall inspiration is quite easy and affordable. That happens thanks to the creation of the Schengen Zone, which allows citizens and residents of the participating countries to freely travel among its 29 member states with no need for a visa.

Weekends and holidays can then be spent not only on a fun activity but also one that will enrich your experience and surely bring you many learning opportunities.

3. High-Quality Institutions

We could never say that Europe is a good place to seek a degree if it did not have the basic: high-quality educational institutions. Many renowned schools and universities reside in Europe, providing students with modern facilities, extensive and thorough curricula, and experienced teachers and instructors.

Universities with the highest standards of excellence and long-standing tradition like Oxford, Cambridge and Sorbonne are constantly ranking among the best in the world, setting the tone for the whole educational system around them.

Furthermore, as a popular expat destination, Europe has many multilingual schools and higher education courses that will allow you to fully integrate into classes and activities.

4. Multilingual Environment

Having your education in English is not hard to achieve at all, as many institutions – especially the private ones – will commonly have classes and entire courses thought in the language. In fact, 10 out of the top 12 countries on EF’s Global Ranking of English are in Europe, some of which are also the best to live in for those who speak the most popular language in the world.

However, after each class ends, you will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a diverse array of other languages, either because you choose to move to a French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese speaking country – to name just a few of the languages found in Europe – or because you will find a variety of nationalities between your new friends. That is a great way of expanding your vocabulary and conversation skills.

5. Affordability

When we think of prestigious, and sometimes even historic institutions like so many of the ones you will find in Europe, it is natural to imagine costly tuition fees. However, you would be surprised to know how affordable high-quality education establishments can be on the continent.

Take the University of Coimbra, in Portugal, for example: it is one of the oldest and most traditional universities in Europe, founded in 1290, with a campus that was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Yet, the annual fee is currently €7.000, meaning a monthly average of less than €584,00, way less than one could imagine.

Something else to take into account is that many European countries have public educational systems that are completely free for citizens and residents and yet of excellent quality, preparing students for their higher education years with great success.

6. Future Possibilities

When you spend a prolonged period of time in a new place, it is natural to start growing roots. It does not matter if the idea was to move for good or to just spend a few years studying. The reality is that before you know it, the environment will look familiar.

The good news is you do not have to leave. It is quite possible that, once you get to Europe, one thing will lead to another and that, after the learning years are done, the network you formed on the way will naturally lead you to business or job opportunities within Europe itself. Then it is just a matter of keeping a legal residency status, something that, in some countries, can be achieved through residency by investment programs, something that will keep you from depending on others.

If your idea is to bring your kids to study in Europe, image how open the doors will be for them after being inserted in the educational system for so long.

7. Safety and Stability

There is no denying that the learning experience can be affected by external factors. As a highly mental - and sometimes even psychological activity - great quality education will achieve even better results when there are very few other aspects to worry about.

Living in a safe, stable environment such as Europe, which holds 7 of the top 10 positions of Global Peace Index, allows students to truly concentrate on their educational path and to reach their full potential.

8. Accessibility for Expats

Many European Universities have exchange programs for foreign students, who want to come for one or more semesters. The ERASMUS+ Program for example, offers mobility and cooperation opportunities through European and some other non-EU countries as well.

However, if the idea is to fully graduate in Europe – or do any other academic specialization – it is also possible to get a student visa, that will allow you to stay in the chosen country during the period of your course.

For those who want to get a European education early on, a visa student alone may not be enough, or that feasible of an option for that matter. Even if a parent could get a student visa for their children, that would not necessarily allow them to be close by, as the permit will most likely not be extended to family members.

As an alternative, countries such as Greece, Portugal, Malta, Hungary and Spain have Residency by Investment programs that will allow the whole family to live and study in their new country. That is a great long-term option too, as not only RBI permits are usually easily renewable, but also because some destinations allow the applicant to request long-term residency or citizenship after a few years of residency.

Europe as a Top Education Destination to Empower the Future

As a continent with some of highest educated countries in the world, Europe is a great place to be at any point of the learning journey. Either to enjoy the quality of the Greek public school system, or Portugal’s renowned Universities, moving to a European country to get better education for either you or your children is a great way of expanding your borders, both figuratively and literally. This is a smart way of guaranteeing that studies and affordability walk side by side, with no compromises on quality, and with the added advantage of being around a diverse array of culture, history and languages that will inspire you.

To top it all off, some European countries offer great opportunities for growth and have interesting possibilities of residency by investment programs that will allow the whole family to move together, something that is very valuable in the present and also for the future.