French high school students are increasingly considering the UK, Netherlands and Canada as their top options for further education, according to a recent university expo conducted at Lyon’s Cité Scolaire Internationale. SRT Fairs hosted the event, which brought together representatives from leading institutions worldwide to discuss their programs and field questions from potential students. The head of Cité Scolaire Internationale’s Anglophone department, Simon Herd, predicts that most of the school’s students will continue their higher education in France. However, because of the UK’s close historical and cultural ties to France, universities there are likely to entice students who are eager to study abroad.
According to Herd, interest in the Netherlands has also “exponentially increased in recent years,” although students at the school still “very, very” frequently choose Canada. The nation’s popularity is probably influenced by its Commonwealth relations as well as Francophone study options in Québec. Due to their international origins, many students who attended the university expo were considering studying overseas after learning more about various programs and schools. “The kids who are here, the world really is their playground,” Herd stated. “They observe all of these academic institutions discussing how the world is their playground. They see it, it inspires them, and it helps them start forming any notions they may have about what they want to pursue.
Students were excited to learn more about various programs and universities and to explore their possibilities when they visited the fair. Cité Scolaire Internationale student Abiel Zambiri stated that he was thinking about going to university in Switzerland, Germany, or the Netherlands, with a focus on civil engineering.
Hannah Herd, a fellow student, stated that she was assessing her alternatives and was thinking about remaining in France, studying in Hong Kong, or the UK. “I’m English but I’ve never actually lived in the UK so I’d like to see what it’s like and connect with my cultural heritage,” she said.
The occasion confirmed how more French high school people are interested in studying overseas. This tendency is probably going to continue as the world grows more global, with students looking for global experiences and viewpoints to improve their educational and professional opportunities.
