Hi! My name is Milena Bezerra, and I was accepted into the Bachelor of European Studies at KU Leuven.

My Background

I was born and raised in São Paulo, where I spent most of my life. When I was 9, I spent three years living abroad with my family in Qingdao, China, due to my dad’s work. During my high school years, I studied at Colégio Petrópolis in São Bernardo do Campo (about an hour from São Paulo).

My school was well-acquainted with the American application process, and thanks to their partnership with Genium Education, I was able to earn an American High School Diploma. However, when it came to European universities, my school had little knowledge or experience, so I had to take a slightly different path than most of my classmates.

Why I Decided to Study Abroad

Ever since I was little, I have always been interested in the American college experience, especially because of the movies I watched. It felt more like a dream than a real possibility. But things changed when I lived abroad in China. There, I studied at an international school and had friends from all over the world. That experience made me realize that studying abroad was something I truly wanted and was willing to work for.

My dad was essential to this journey. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this dream. Not only did he support me financially, but he also gave me emotional support and motivation throughout the entire process, even making several sacrifices along the way.

US or Europe?

At the beginning of my application process, I was mainly focused on American universities, especially those in New York City. But due to the high costs and the difficulty of securing a large enough scholarship to attend comfortably, I started researching European universities.

In Europe, many universities are public, which often makes them more affordable than universities in the US. Another difference is that most programs in Europe last three years instead of the traditional four. For me, these reasons made Europe a more accessible and affordable option, but it’s important to note that costs vary between universities.

The most important thing is to reflect on what you want and need. You can always apply to both the US and Europe and make your decision based on the offers you receive. It’s good to keep your options open!

Why KU Leuven?

Honestly, finding out about KU Leuven was fate. Like I mentioned, I wasn’t initially focused on European universities. But when I started researching, I attended a study abroad fair where I was introduced to the BAES (Bachelor of European Studies) program at KU Leuven.

The program includes different majors and minors, such as International Relations, Economics, Law, and Communications. What really attracted me was the mobility path and the strong network of partner universities, including the University of Edinburgh. The opportunity to study in different countries and at top universities, better than any in Brazil, made this an easy choice for me.

Another bonus was that the application requirements were similar to the US standards. I had to submit two videos, two essays (including a motivation letter), my CV, grades, proof of English proficiency, SAT scores, and transcripts.

Stats and Tips

My school followed the Sistema Etapa curriculum, which is one of the most challenging systems in Brazil, especially in subjects like math, physics, and chemistry.

At my school, grading was based solely on tests. I took about three tests a week, which was demanding and sometimes made it difficult to maintain high grades while also participating in extracurriculars. But the strong curriculum was essential to showing my potential as a student. 

My GPA was 3.4. For English proficiency, I took the Cambridge CPE exam and received a Grade B. I also took the Duolingo English Test and scored 135—I could’ve scored higher, but I didn’t have much time to prepare since I was focused more on the SAT.

My SAT score was 1330 (680 in English and 650 in Math).

My biggest tip, especially for essays, is to be yourself. In my essays, I really tried to show my personality. Whenever I asked for feedback, the first question I posed was: “If you read this essay without knowing who wrote it, would you be able to tell it was me?” I think that’s really important to show authenticity, especially with the rise of AI tools and concerns around originality.

Extracurriculars

For extracurriculars, I was very involved in Model United Nations (MUN). I participated in YMUN Latin America, CWMUN, FAAP MUN, and PMUN, and I earned several awards through these experiences. I believe these helped show leadership and communication skills in my application.

I also created and organized the first-ever MUN conference at my school, introducing MUN to many students who had never participated before.

Aside from MUN, I also volunteered at several events and did several courses (including Girl Up Leadership Course), which I believe helped highlight my leadership and initiative.

My Acceptances

In addition to KU Leuven, I was also accepted to Marist University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Pace University, John Cabot University, University of Cincinnati, Constructor University, and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. I received merit-based scholarships from all of them, totaling approximately $104,000 per year.

I hope this insight helps anyone who reads it. Good luck with your own applications!