Hi,
I am an Italian student and I am currently studying International Business at the University of Delaware for $48,000 per year. Last semester I was feeling guilty about spending so much money (universities in Italy are almost free) so I took a test to get into Bocconi University, Ranked #4 amongst the best Business Schools in Europe and it’s amongst the top 25 Business Schools in the world. It is also much cheaper, but after applying and getting in I realized that I do not want to leave my school. If I went to Bocconi University, I would be saving a lot of money and I would get a better education, but I would have to start over as a freshman, leave my friends, go to school till the end of July (and take tons of ORAL EXAMS), go live in an apartment by myself in a giant city and be responsible for all the things that come from living in an apartment. My heart is obviously telling me to stay right where I am, even though I know it’s a bad decision. My question is, how bad of a decision is it? Is my future really gonna be much worse if I go to a worse school? Am I being too selfish and myopic?
Are you taking on debt for your current education?
There is a big difference between spending money that you have that could be used in other productive ways, versus taking on debt that has to be paid back with interest. Too much debt can be a big problem down the road.
No, my parents are paying for everything. I’m not taking on any debt.
Are your parents able to handle the expense? Are THEY borrowing? Or using money they will need in retirement?
No they have no problems paying for my school. It’s money they would spend for leisure anyway so of course it would be nice for them to have the extra money but it’s not that big of a deal.
Just because a place is rated #4 for something, doesn’t mean it is a better place for you.
If your parents are fine with paying for your education here, and you are happy with your experience here, it is OK to stay.
Take advantage of everything that U Del has to offer. Use the career center and the network of alumni to find internships that are meaningful for your possible future careers. Work with the career center and international students office to find a good job that will hire you for your OPT period after you graduate. Work here for the time permitted with your OPT, then go back to the EU or to a different part of the world for the next step in your career. After a few years of working, if you still want to go to Bocconi, go there for your MBA.