As the Class of 2025 prepares for graduation, two seniors will embark on their college journeys far from home. Both seniors Caroline McKeown and Beata Servick will attend universities abroad and are eager to explore new cultures, gain international perspectives, and immerse themselves in college communities that extend beyond United States (US) borders.
Caroline plans to study economics at McGill University, a public research university located in Quebec, Canada. James McGill founded McGill University in 1821 and is one of Canada’s most prestigious universities, enrolling more than 30,000 students from over 150 countries. The university has two campuses: one in downtown Montreal and another, the Macdonald campus, in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, according to usnews.com. As a dual citizen of the US and Canada, Caroline always considered Canadian universities an option. McGill stood out to her as her father earned his undergraduate degree there, allowing her to connect with her heritage. Caroline explained why McGill was the perfect option for her.
“When McGill became an option for me, I decided I could not pass up the opportunity to spend the next four years in Canada connecting with the other half of my nationality,” Caroline said. “I’m most looking forward to exploring Montreal and being able to ski on incredible snow over the winter weekends.”
One quarter of McGill’s student population is international, and 20 percent speak French as their native language. This is a testament to their extremely intercultural and diverse student population. Caroline commented on what she hopes to gain from an international university experience and how she thinks it will expand her global perspective and network.
“I hope to gain an international perspective and understanding for a new culture,” Caroline said. “The official language of Montreal is French, so I hope to gain a strong understanding of French culture and even pick up a bit of the language along the way.”
This fall, Beata will begin studying art history and business management at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Established in 1413, St. Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world. St. Andrews has rich academic traditions, international student body, and scenic seaside location, according to st-andrews.ac.uk. Beata’s Canadian family encouraged her to consider colleges abroad and expand her college search. Though she does not expect her college experience to be entirely different from those who stay in the US, she sees advantages to an international education. Beata described how she ultimately decided to commit to St. Andrews.
“I hope to use my degree on an international playing field, and going to a school like St. Andrews gives me a better opportunity to accomplish that,” Beata said. “When I went there for the first time, I felt extremely at home despite being hundreds of miles from Greenwich,” she said. “I came to decide based on the level of education as well as the overall community and how they fit my personal needs.”
Beata is excited about the freedom and travel opportunities that come with studying abroad. St. Andrew’s close proximity to many countries in Europe will allow Beata to explore new place and discover new cultures. She discussed the unique culture and atmosphere at St. Andrews in which she looks forward to immersing.
“A big part of the culture at St. Andrews is traveling during breaks, weekends, and independent learning weeks,” Beata said. “I’m extremely excited to see more of the U.K. and Europe. Furthermore, St. Andrews has really interesting traditions that I can’t wait to participate in.”
Featured Image by Avery Quake ‘26
