university choice abroad help
hiii, im in means of seeking some advice for my university choice as an incoming 2026 student.
for context, i am in year 13 (last year of school) as an American who is doing the British curriculum of A lvls and have applied and received full offers from UCAS and unis abroad in Europe - Maastricht, Groningen, and IE Madrid.
I have my firm choice on going to the EU and have narrowed it down between IE and Groningen. I have been to IE and Spain multiple times and I love the country: super kind people, food, weather, culture and I would be taking up the language as languages are a deep passion of mine regardless if it’s Spain or the Netherlands. However, I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about IE, especially into how it is full of rich kids, how it’s not the best socially, a certain ‘social’ crowd, and then there are others who say that it has an amazing rep and one of the best places to get an education and people really enjoyed their time and that the whole rich kid thing is a fake - I know it’s a business school and I’ve applied for law and I would be spending for first two years in the Segovia campus (which everyone seems to LOVE and praise, unlike the tower block)
Now Gronigen (RUG) also looks amazing, the uni has great reviews pretty much everywhere and the course as well for law is more what I want to do. I have never been to the Netherlands to experience the culture, people however I’m going over in 2 weeks to go for the open day. I’m going over with the idea and means of trying to see myself being there and being happy, as I can with Spain.
Now, my main question im asking here is this: both unis seem to have a great rep, but it’s the reviews which throw me off, especially about IE. I feel that im more leaning that way as I haven’t been to NL yet, but that may change; I may come back and it may be an absolute yes, or I could be in the same problem I am now where NL ends up being a great Uni, but the rest is eh aka opposite of Madrid.
I have looked into other unis in Spain with much better reviews such as Barcelona and others in Madrid, however SO many English taught courses are only for Stem, IR, business and economics, basically meaning I would have to change my entire career. Before law, I did consider International relations which Barcelona does offer in English as well as j think it’s UC3M in Madrid.
basically, I need some external opinions. I’m not making a choice until I have gone to the NL and been ther myself, as if it’s not a definite yes then I need to def choose. What is everyone thoughts, knowledge and impressions of IE and the Uni of Groningen? Is what they say true, or is that bitter talk? What does anyone have advice on in helping me choose? Does anyone know of any other unis in Spain which have law or a similar degree taught in English?
What is the preferred choice in others opinions between the two and why?
Any help is appreciated!! Please note all of this info gathered is from research and others so please give as much insight if known!!
All help is needed!
for context, i am in year 13 (last year of school) as an American who is doing the British curriculum of A lvls and have applied and received full offers from UCAS and unis abroad in Europe - Maastricht, Groningen, and IE Madrid.
I have my firm choice on going to the EU and have narrowed it down between IE and Groningen. I have been to IE and Spain multiple times and I love the country: super kind people, food, weather, culture and I would be taking up the language as languages are a deep passion of mine regardless if it’s Spain or the Netherlands. However, I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about IE, especially into how it is full of rich kids, how it’s not the best socially, a certain ‘social’ crowd, and then there are others who say that it has an amazing rep and one of the best places to get an education and people really enjoyed their time and that the whole rich kid thing is a fake - I know it’s a business school and I’ve applied for law and I would be spending for first two years in the Segovia campus (which everyone seems to LOVE and praise, unlike the tower block)
Now Gronigen (RUG) also looks amazing, the uni has great reviews pretty much everywhere and the course as well for law is more what I want to do. I have never been to the Netherlands to experience the culture, people however I’m going over in 2 weeks to go for the open day. I’m going over with the idea and means of trying to see myself being there and being happy, as I can with Spain.
Now, my main question im asking here is this: both unis seem to have a great rep, but it’s the reviews which throw me off, especially about IE. I feel that im more leaning that way as I haven’t been to NL yet, but that may change; I may come back and it may be an absolute yes, or I could be in the same problem I am now where NL ends up being a great Uni, but the rest is eh aka opposite of Madrid.
I have looked into other unis in Spain with much better reviews such as Barcelona and others in Madrid, however SO many English taught courses are only for Stem, IR, business and economics, basically meaning I would have to change my entire career. Before law, I did consider International relations which Barcelona does offer in English as well as j think it’s UC3M in Madrid.
basically, I need some external opinions. I’m not making a choice until I have gone to the NL and been ther myself, as if it’s not a definite yes then I need to def choose. What is everyone thoughts, knowledge and impressions of IE and the Uni of Groningen? Is what they say true, or is that bitter talk? What does anyone have advice on in helping me choose? Does anyone know of any other unis in Spain which have law or a similar degree taught in English?
What is the preferred choice in others opinions between the two and why?
Any help is appreciated!! Please note all of this info gathered is from research and others so please give as much insight if known!!
All help is needed!
Reply 1
Not exactly the same but I went to Deusto in Bilbao for a year and I can tell you there definitely are those 'rich cliques' and I'm sure there's the same in Madrid but they do not represent the average student and I'm sure MANY of them would love to teach you more about Madrid/show you around.
Choose the city you think you'll be happiest living in, everything else (including how friendly local students are) is secondary. Most of my best memories where from exploring the cities/adjacent areas, even though I did make local friends too! I would choose Madrid purely for the culture/food/slightly better weather, it seriously impacts how happy you are. My attendance in the UK at uni was NOT good at all but in Spain it was almost 100%, purely due to the environment.
Choose the city you think you'll be happiest living in, everything else (including how friendly local students are) is secondary. Most of my best memories where from exploring the cities/adjacent areas, even though I did make local friends too! I would choose Madrid purely for the culture/food/slightly better weather, it seriously impacts how happy you are. My attendance in the UK at uni was NOT good at all but in Spain it was almost 100%, purely due to the environment.
Reply 2
8
Original post
by quietmodule41Not exactly the same but I went to Deusto in Bilbao for a year and I can tell you there definitely are those 'rich cliques' and I'm sure there's the same in Madrid but they do not represent the average student and I'm sure MANY of them would love to teach you more about Madrid/show you around.
Choose the city you think you'll be happiest living in, everything else (including how friendly local students are) is secondary. Most of my best memories where from exploring the cities/adjacent areas, even though I did make local friends too! I would choose Madrid purely for the culture/food/slightly better weather, it seriously impacts how happy you are. My attendance in the UK at uni was NOT good at all but in Spain it was almost 100%, purely due to the environment.
Choose the city you think you'll be happiest living in, everything else (including how friendly local students are) is secondary. Most of my best memories where from exploring the cities/adjacent areas, even though I did make local friends too! I would choose Madrid purely for the culture/food/slightly better weather, it seriously impacts how happy you are. My attendance in the UK at uni was NOT good at all but in Spain it was almost 100%, purely due to the environment.
thank you so much for your response! I definitely feel that it’s such a tricky game with knowing how oppressive the rich cliques are, as yes ofc it’s a highly regarded international business school and people are going to be from wealthy background, it’s just to the extent of such. I’m definitely still 50/50, as im waiting to go over to NL in two weeks to see as you said the vibe and how yi feel is the most important. Yes degree and uni wise it is too, but how you feel there is huge; I felt very welcomed in Spain and happy so i need to access NL too
Biggest concern with Spain is paying the fees for my parents as they are less keen, but wish me luck! Thank you for your advice it’s much appreciated!
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