The confusion of senior year slowly fades as college acceptance emails begin to arrive. For some students, that means staying close to home. For others, it means flying across the world to explore new cultures, languages, and dreams.

As the school year wraps up, seniors reflect on their college decisions and how those plans have evolved. From local universities in Colombia to international campuses in Europe, their choices highlight the diversity of paths students are taking. With insight from college counselor Maria Teresa Mejia, the process behind these decisions becomes clearer, showing the thought and planning that go into every application.

Simon Ariztisabal, senior, still remembers walking past his future university after soccer class, imagining himself studying there. Now, that dream is becoming a reality.

“I used to have soccer class there, so the university always caught my attention,” said Ariztisabal, who plans to stay in Medellín for his studies.

The university’s strong academic reputation and its familiar setting helped him make his choice. 

“It’s the one that people have told me the most about — the best one academically here in Medellín,” he explained.

He emphasized that his decision wasn’t influenced much by social factors.

 “I don’t think so. I think I’ve always been very determined to study there,” Aristizabal said. 

With a clear career goal in mind, he plans to pursue a program that combines administration with engineering. 

“Administering a company or part of a company, that’s what I want to do,” Aristizabal said.

While Ariztisabal found comfort in staying close to home, others saw college as an opportunity to explore the unknown. Senior Sofia Trujillo, for example, is preparing to move abroad for her studies.

“I’ve decided on Nova in Lisbon,” Trujillo shared. The opportunity to explore a new part of the world is what drew her to Portugal. “I wanted a change from what I’m used to — to have a different experience in my life and see different parts of the world.” Even though she has never been to Europe, Trujillo is excited for the adventure.

Her decision wasn’t just about travel. Academics played a key role. “It was top-ranked in the subject I wanted, which is management,” she said. Another bonus: “It’s a college that teaches in English, even though it’s in Portugal.”

Trujillo was also drawn to the university’s culture. “I saw a lot of reviews that said it was super good… very welcoming with international students,” she shared. That supportive environment made her feel more confident about building new friendships abroad.

Maria Teresa Mejia, the school’s college counselor, explained that students make decisions based on a variety of factors. “It depended on the senior — their grades, their interests, what part of the world they wanted to go to,” she said. While some students come to her with specific universities in mind, the final list is shaped by academic fit, personal goals, and lifestyle preferences.

“About 20 to 25% of the students go and study abroad,” Mejia noted. That number has remained fairly consistent over the years.

When asked for advice, she had a clear strategy: “They should first figure out where they want to live… then look for the best universities.” She also encourages students to consider practical details like tuition costs, program quality, and the school’s location. “With that, they can start narrowing down the list,” Mejia said.

For both Ariztisabal and Trujillo, the journey to college was deeply personal. Their choices reflect their dreams, values, and readiness for the future — whether they’re staying grounded at home or stepping into something completely new.