I'm an American mom who raised my kids in Spain. They considered going to the US for college but changed their minds.

Tue, 07/23/2024 - 01:43

A family with two young sons posing with their foreigner's identity card at Real Alcazar of Seville. — Jackie Baxa and her family posing with their Foreigner Identity Cards in Spain. After 15 months of planning, the family relocated to Spain in 2016.
Jackie Baxa

Jackie Baxa moved to Spain with her family in 2016.
When the time came for her sons to decide where to go to college, they chose to stay in Europe.
The 54-year-old said that college in Europe is cheaper and more degree-focused.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jackie Baxa, a relocation coach based in Spain. The following has been edited for length and clarity.