: -> Expat Scholar Insight

Alvaro epitomizes everything an international education involves: from overcoming the hardships of securing the necessary financial aid and finding the right schools and programs, to truly embracing everything an international education has to offer.

A Fulbright scholar, and an expat student since 2003, Alvaro is currently a Phd candidate at Harvard University's Sociology Department. He joins expatscholar.com's team of moderators to assist new members, as well as to share his advice and experience. Here is his Expat-Student Profile*:







What motivated you to pursue an international education?

My area of interest is modern revolutions, especially the French Revolution. At the time I left Spain, there were no specialists on my topic of research. But now I am working on a project on how literature books can become classics.


What do you value the most about your experience abroad thus far?

There are many to list, but, undoubtedly, a truly global perspective on life. And all the new friends I have made, the new gastronomies have been introduced to, and the places I have lived in: Paris, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Boston....


What do you think an international education will help you achieve?

More empathy towards other cultures and ways of thinking.


Why are you a moderator at expatscholar.com?

Because my motto is: EXPATS of the world, unite!


What's your advice to students considering an education abroad?

Don't look back! You will always time to go back to your country if things don't work out. But if they do work out, your life will never be the same. Willing to take the EXPAT risk, then?

Yovana joins us from Paris, France, where she currently studies a B.B.A. International Business. Here is her Expat-Student Profile*:






What motivated you to pursue an international education?

Since I decided to pursue an international business bachelor degree I planned on spending at least one semester abroad. I knew it would open my mind for my career. Paris was a great choice because I can interact with people from all over the world, while learning a third language, and being able to travel and discover new places.


What do you value the most about your experience abroad thus far?

It has changed my way of thinking completely, I have learned to think globally for future business decisions.


What do you think an international education will help you achieve?

An international education will definitely help me in the future, but apart from that, it is an everyday learning experience that gives you a different take on life.


Why are you a moderator at expatscholar.com?

I want to let other students know the benefits of having an international education. I think expatscholar.com is a great way for students from all over the world to obtain information about any country and hearing the experiences from the students themselves. It is a perfect tool, for example, to help you decide what city or country is best for you.


What's your advice to students considering an education abroad?

When studying abroad, open your mind to learn, take every moment as an opportunity, and value your studies. Travel, meet new people and have fun!

David joins us from Paris, France, where he currently studies a BA in International Relations & Diplomacy. An expat student since high school, he shares a bit of his free time with the expatscholar.com community to help others and moderate these forums. Here is his Expat-Student Profile*:



What motivated you to pursue an international education?

Having an international education was an essential part of my decision to further my studies in the International Relations and Diplomacy areas. The ability to discover and learn from other cultures would be vital for my success in this subject. Also, by studying abroad I increased my chances of meeting people from every part of the globe and creating relationships that would benefit me not only in my career, but also as a person.


What do you value the most about your experience abroad thus far?

All the traveling. Discovering new places all the time brings a level of excitement to daily life that cannot be matched. The food. The random people that you encounter everyday, and, of course, the lifelong friends that you make along the way.


What do you think an international education will help you achieve?

To grow as a person in every possible way. The countless obstacles one faces alone, such as those that emerge by living in a country that you are not familiar with, makes a person a greater individual, a skilled problem solver, and better suited to take on the world.


Why are you a moderator at expatscholar.com?

When exploring my study abroad possibilities, it would have been really nice if there had been a web page where I could have contact a student in Paris to warn me of the obstacles ahead, give me advice about schools, apartments, transportation etc. Where to buy groceries, where all the hot girls hang out B), all the essential stuff. But there wasn't any... So I hope that with expatscholar.com every student will be able to contact someone where they wish to study and have some of those obstacles smoothed.


What's your advice to students considering an education abroad?

Choose a country that will demand the best of you. Somewhere to perfect a foreign language, or a school that that excels in your subject of study. But no matter where you go, you will most likely not want to go back for a while!

Good Luck!

What motivated you to pursue an international education?

I wanted to go to the top schools in my field. Studying abroad enhances the value of your degree and employment opportunities.


What do you value the most about your experience abroad thus far?

Many things... The opportunity to travel for sure. Weekends and academic breaks allow you to venture out and explore your new surroundings. Wherever you go, do not pass the opportunity to move about!


What do you think an international education will help you achieve?

An international education is a true education. It will empower you with skills that are not to be acquired in a classroom setting in your home country. Being immersed in an entirely new cultural setting is scary at first, but it's also exciting. It's an opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities, as well as conquer new challenges. You will encounter situations that are wholly unfamiliar to you and will learn to adapt and respond in effective ways. You'll become more disciplined, more open to other perspectives of life....


Why are you a moderator at expatscholar.com?

Because I was once in your place! I love to help, and expatscholar.com is a great opportunity to share my experience with others. Planning your life abroad is both exciting and a challenging experience. At expatscholar.com we aim at providing you with the most up-to-date information re studying abroad, but with a personal and friendly touch.


What's your advice to students considering an education abroad?

Before making the right choice of program and school in any foreign country you should first ask yourself two important questions: What are your main goals and objectives? What type of environment would help you achieve those goals? Then you should start researching schools and financing alternatives.