How should I compare Arizona State University and the University of Edinburgh for study abroad appeal?

For study abroad appeal specifically, the University of Edinburgh usually stands out more for a student who wants an everyday international experience built into college life. It is already a global destination university, the student body is highly international, and being based in Scotland makes weekend and academic travel across the UK and Europe much more accessible. If what attracts you is the feeling of living in an internationally mixed community from day one, Edinburgh has the stronger pull.

Edinburgh tends to fit students who want their whole degree experience to feel outward-facing, not just one semester abroad. You would be studying in a city that draws students from many countries, and the university’s location gives studying abroad a different meaning because you are already outside the US and close to other countries. For many students, that creates the kind of cultural immersion they are actually looking for when they say they want a strong study abroad experience.

Arizona State makes more sense for a student who wants a very flexible US college experience with lots of organized pathways to go abroad. ASU is known for having broad programming, a large university infrastructure, and many ways to combine majors, internships, and global opportunities. That can be appealing if you want the traditional American campus environment but also want plenty of chances to study in another country for a summer, semester, or shorter program.

ASU is especially attractive for students who want support, scale, and options. At a big public university, there are often many program types and destinations, which can help if you are still undecided about timing or format. The tradeoff is that the international atmosphere may feel more program-based rather than embedded in daily life the way it would at Edinburgh.

So the real distinction is this: Edinburgh is more appealing for students who want to live in an international setting all the time, while ASU is more appealing for students who want a US home base with a lot of abroad opportunities layered on top.