I grew up in Connecticut and moved to Europe for college. I never intended for the move to be permanent.

It was 2015, and I was a sophomore. One day, on a drive through our Connecticut town with my mom, we heard on the radio that Americans were moving to Germany for free education.

It sounded perfect. “You should do this,” my mom agreed.

So, we started researching colleges in Europe. The Anglo-American University in Prague was my top choice because of its affordability and its curriculum. A high school diploma wasn’t required to apply, so I applied early and got in.

I only knew one other student from my high school who moved abroad for their studies. The rest of my schoolmates went to college in Boston, New York, or other parts of New England.

I was excited, but I didn’t fully understand what I was getting myself into until I was in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

At first, I thought that everyone hated me

I don’t think I knew what culture shock meant until I moved to Prague. In my hometown, it’s normal to say “hi” to everyone you pass.

But Czechs looked at me weirdly when I did the same in Prague. It took me a while to realize it was a cultural difference, but I eventually got used to it.

Studying abroad taught me to become more open-minded

Before moving to Europe, I didn’t realize how much of my thinking about the world was from a US-centric perspective. In Europe, the students I studied with were from all over the world. I learned about their cultures, ways of life, and languages.

As cheesy as it sounds, the learning did not stop there. As an international student, getting on public transportation, grabbing a coffee, and everything I did for the first time was a learning experience. It was exciting, and as a result, made everything I did interesting.

And even though the cheaper tuition was my main reason for moving to Europe, the opportunity to travel and see the world was also a big pro.

I slowly realized I didn’t want to leave Europe

I had originally intended to complete the three-year college program in Prague and then return to the US. I did not even consider the possibility that people could leave the US permanently.

When I spent a semester abroad in Malaysia in 2019, a friend asked if I intended to return to the US.

“No,” I replied almost immediately, realizing I had made the decision unconsciously. My entire adult life and everything I knew were now in Europe. If I returned to the US, I would experience culture shock and have to “relearn” being an adult, I thought.

After I completed my bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Society, and Culture in 2021, I didn’t return to my hometown in Connecticut. But despite feeling at home in Prague, I decided to move to Brussels to pursue a master’s in Digital Media, Communication, and Society at the Free University of Brussels.

After graduating in 2022, I stayed on in Brussels and worked as a communications and marketing consultant. In January, I founded Skola, a startup that supports US students planning to relocate to Europe for college. I also started a TikTok account where I create content about moving abroad and international studies.

For now, there’s nothing pulling me back to the US except my family, whom I visit once a year. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get them to move here.

It’s not just lower tuition fees that make the cost of living more affordable

I was rushed to the emergency room after fracturing my pelvis on a ski trip and paid nothing out of pocket — thanks to the public health insurance I received in the Czech Republic.

In Brussels, I don’t need a car. As a student, I paid 12 euros, or $13, for an annual season ticket that provides unlimited use of public transportation.

I did not need to take out loans for school, either. When I started my bachelor’s in Prague, tuition fees cost around $6,500 a year, although the fees have increased since. In comparison, the cost of in-state tuition at the University of Connecticut, excluding other fees, is estimated at $17,010 a year, according to its website.

My master’s program was also affordable — around $4,700 for the one-year program. According to UCONN’s website, the tuition fee for a master’s program there is around $19,512 a year for full-time in-state students, excluding other costs.

I have no plans to move back to the US

My boyfriend is Belgian, and his family is from here. We also have a dog, and my life is well set up here.

I only have two and a half more years before I can apply for citizenship, which requires applicants to have lived in Belgium legally for at least five years.

I would love to celebrate getting citizenship here by living somewhere else in Europe for a year or traveling around a bit.

But I plan to return and stay in Brussels longterm. I feel more at home here now.

Do you have a story about choosing to attend college outside the US that you want to share? Get in touch with the reporter, Erin: eliam@businessinsider.com.