Foreign universities are overwhelmed with the ever rising numbers of Romanian students looking to study abroad. According to Ziarul Financiar, several thousand students attended the World University Fair held for the tenth time in Romania, with representatives from 45 institutions in the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, USA, Italy, Spain and Greece.

Current estimates suggest that around 5,000 Romanian student go abroad to study each year, but the number could continue to rise. The universities say that tuition fees and living costs are the major determining factors when students are considering studying abroad.

Romania's educational institutions have recently noticed the same effect, with rising numbers of students, particularly Greek students, attracted to Romania to study by the low cost of living and affordable tuition fees. Universities in England and Wales charge high tuition fees, between EUR 4,300 and EUR 11,700, however, Scottish universities do not currently charge EU students for tuition. Romanian students studying in Denmark and Sweden, where the tuition is also free, only need to cover accommodation and living expenses, according to Ziarul Financiar.

Fears of a Romanian brain drain have been around for years, with the concern that many students that study abroad will settle outside the country. However, the League of Foreign Students found that nearly 30 percent of Romanian students would return home, if there were the right job opportunities.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

(photo source: sxc.hu)