Where should I go? It’s a deceptively big question. One we ask ourselves quite regularly, and that always has a life-shaping outcome.
On a few rare occasions, it becomes even more consequential. It quite literally dictates the nature of our daily life and the course of our future growth. It encapsulates who we are, who we want to be, and how we want to get there.
Deciding where you should go to study or work is one such occasion. More than a simple question of academic reputation or career prospects, it’s an opportunity to define the life you want to live. And it can affect not just your immediate future, but the path you’re on for years to come.
But you can’t let the enormity of the moment overwhelm you. You must see this decision for the real opportunity it is and make it with the insight and intention it deserves.
Don’t Just Rely on Rankings
It’s easy to defer to the security of institutional prestige and cultural reputation. But while these can be appealing, they should only be factors in your decision-making. Relying solely on name recognition overlooks what matters most: personal fit.
A much-lauded university may be academically advantageous, but could lack the social support you value. Similarly, a location known for the strength of its corporate sector will often be devoid of nightlife and culture.
What makes a place the perfect choice is how well it suits your specific requirements. This may well be the high-profile, highly regarded option. However, you cannot be sure of this unless you seriously consider the potential benefits of the lesser-known prospects.
Narrowing Down the Location
Let’s start with the most literal version of this question: where do you want to live? What’s your preferred physical location?
There are two ways to think about this: geographically and environmentally.
Geographically, you should reflect on whether there are specific areas you’d prefer to focus on or avoid. This could be based on proximity to your friends and family. It could also be informed by your experience, knowledge, and level of comfort with certain locations.
Environmentally, you should think about the type of setting you prefer: busy and urban, quiet and rural, or somewhere in between. You may also have climate preferences that rule certain areas in or out.
Weighing up the Financial Factors
Money is a major consideration when you’re studying or just starting your career. The focus of this will usually be the “money going out”, which includes the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- Groceries and eating out
- Utilities and other living expenses
- Healthcare and insurance
However, it should be noted that more expensive locations often have better programs to help manage costs, like free activities and student discounts. The potential for good “money coming in”, like part-time work opportunities and higher starting salaries, can also help offset higher costs.
Pursuing Professional and Personal Fulfillment
The main reason you’re moving is to work or study. You need to keep this front of mind.
It doesn’t matter how great the environment or culture is if the location doesn’t support your education or career goals. So, depending on your situation, you need to be sure wherever you go offers strong:
- Internship or placement programs
- Industry partnerships and networking opportunities
- Graduate employment rates
- Local demand for experts in your field
At the same time, you also need to think about the lifestyle side of the work-life equation. The pace of life, general workload expectations and flexibility, social and recreational opportunities, and cultural scene will all impact your experience. Availability of support services, particularly mental health services, could also be crucial to your settling in and ongoing success.
There’s also the less tangible, but no less important, vibe to consider. Different places have different personalities, and you should look for one that suits your personal values and identity. This could mean a shared commitment to academic rigor or professionalism, diversity and social inclusion, sustainability, or a general sense of community.
This category is broad, and you will need to balance the various individual factors against each other. For example, someone comparing FNP programs in Tennessee will need to weigh program structure and community connection against local character and culture.
Doing Your Research
With so many things to consider, it’s hard to know where to start. It’s even more difficult when you need to make the call by a set deadline and from afar.
To help structure your thinking, focus on your top three to five criteria and create a scoring system. This doesn’t have to be a “highest score wins” situation. Simply trying to assign scores should be enough to encourage more objective comparison.
As part of this, try to bring in some external advice. Check online reviews, travel sites, and student and community groups on social media.
And remember, there’s no right or wrong answer. You’ll probably be able to make a case for multiple places. Your aim is to find the one that best aligns with your needs and goals.
