Studying Abroad
It is considered that studying abroad is the privilege of very wealthy people. In many cases education in the universities of the USA, Canada or the UK costs about 30-50 thousand dollars a year. But if you study hard, you can get a grant even from the best universities. There are a lot of exchange programs for talented students nowadays. It is also possible to obtain high-quality and more affordable higher education (including British one) in Eastern Europe. Attending a university in Poland and the Baltic states will cost about 3000-4700 dollars a year. Many universities in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia teach their foreign students in English according to British programs and award diplomas of the British universities. And the University of Tallinn provides the opportunity to get European education even in Russian for 1800-1900 euro yearly.
If you want to get education in Germany, France, Italy or Spain in local languages, you have to finish at least two years of study in a Russian university and to pass a language test. Or it is better to get a bachelor's degree in Russia and a master's degree abroad. Then you have to study a year or two. There are usually no entrance exams in the EU-countries because it is declared that everybody has the right for higher education. That is why entering a university in Western Europe is simplified, including for foreign students. German universities are especially popular, because most of them were founded many centuries ago and are famous for their teaching staff. But you have to know German, otherwise you cannot study there.
Studying in the English-speaking countries has been and remains the most popular. The reason is quite clear. You learn fluent English, which is a wide-spread international language of business, and get a good profession at the same time. Such specialties as economics, business, finance, management, law, international relations, tourism imply good job opportunities in the Motherland and abroad.
Besides you should consider the difference in approach to studying in the West and in Russia. European and American universities put more emphasis on the practical side of education as compared to Russian higher schools, which focus more on theory. It should also be noted that graduates of foreign universities are ready better for practical work than Russian graduates. In addition British and American universities keep up with technological progress and are much better technically equipped than Russian higher schools. And the most important thing is that diplomas of foreign universities are accepted everywhere in the world, whereas the Russian ones are valid only in a few countries.