Do I Count as an EU Student? Here’s What You Need to Know

Understanding the Definition of an EU Student

Well, the question of whether you count as an EU student is more complex than you might think. And believe me, I’ve been there! When I was planning my studies abroad, I was just as confused as you might be now. It’s easy to assume that if you’re from a European country, you’re automatically considered an EU student, right? Well, it’s not always that simple.

An EU student generally refers to someone who is a national of one of the European Union member states. Sounds easy enough, but there are lots of exceptions, different rules based on your specific circumstances, and other details that can complicate things. Let's break it down!

The Basics: Which Countries are in the EU?

So, before we dive into the specifics, let’s clear up which countries are part of the European Union. The EU is made up of 27 countries, including big names like France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. But here's the catch: not all European countries are part of the EU. For example, countries like Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland are not EU members, even though they’re geographically in Europe.

If you’re from one of these countries, you might still be eligible for similar benefits, but technically, you're not an EU student.

Do You Need to Be a Citizen or Just a Resident?

Honestly, this part really confused me when I was applying for universities. Being a resident of an EU country doesn’t always mean you automatically count as an EU student. You might live in one of the EU countries, but if you’re not a citizen, you may not be entitled to the same rights as a full EU student.

What’s the Difference Between EU Resident and EU Citizen?

Well, let me break it down a bit. EU citizenship comes with benefits that apply across all EU countries. If you’re a national of any of the EU countries, you can travel, work, and study in any EU member state without restrictions.

On the other hand, being an EU resident means that you have legal residence in one of the EU countries, but you might not have the same privileges as a citizen. A friend of mine, Marius, is from Romania but moved to France as a child and had only permanent residency status. When he went to apply for student benefits in France, he was surprised to learn that he wasn’t always considered an EU student by all institutions.

What About UK Students Post-Brexit?

Okay, so this one is tricky now that the UK is no longer part of the EU. But if you’re a student from the UK who lived in the EU before the Brexit transition period ended, you may still qualify for EU student status in some cases. Still, most UK nationals now count as “international students” when applying to universities in the EU.

Are You Living in the EU as a UK Citizen?

I was talking to Emily, a UK student living in Spain, and she was frustrated because she thought she could get the same benefits as Spanish nationals, but since the UK left the EU, she now has to pay higher tuition fees like an international student. So, if you're in a similar situation, be prepared for the possibility that you might no longer be treated as an EU student, even if you live in an EU country.

Special Cases: What About Non-EU Nationals?

You might be thinking, “But what if I’m not from an EU country at all?” Well, don't worry – there are still some ways you could be considered for certain EU student benefits, even if you’re not from an EU member state.

Students with Long-Term Residency in the EU

If you’ve lived in an EU country for an extended period, say, five years or more, and you have long-term residency status, you may be treated as an EU student for tuition purposes in some cases. But here’s the thing – this varies from country to country, and you’ll need to check with your specific university to see how they handle it.

For example, a friend of mine, Marwa, who’s originally from Tunisia, has been living in France for over 10 years and holds long-term residency. When she applied for university in Paris, she was eligible for lower tuition fees, similar to those offered to EU citizens. This was a big surprise to her, and it shows just how important it is to double-check the rules in your specific situation.

Conclusion: It’s Not Always Black and White

Honestly, the rules around whether you count as an EU student or not can be a bit of a headache. It depends on your nationality, residency status, and even where you want to study. If you're not from an EU country, don’t immediately assume that you're out of luck; there may still be ways for you to access some of the benefits that EU students enjoy.

But the best piece of advice I can give? Always double-check with the university or institution you're applying to. Each country has slightly different interpretations of these rules, and what worked for one person might not work for you.

If you’re still unsure, you could always reach out to your local embassy or a student advisory service for guidance. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – it’s better to know for sure than to find out too late!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.