"Why'd you come all the way over HERE?"

Lately I've been asked this ALOT by the other students in my class. I'm the only American full-time student, naturally, and they must wonder why with all the universities in the US I chose to come all the way over to the UK to finish my degree.

I'm never sure how to respond -- I'm studying in the UK mainly to be in a closer proximity to my significant other, as I'm sure many of the US students are on this board. Another reason is because in the UK, I can finish up my four-year degree on time without having to take all those extra "liberal arts" classes required at most US colleges, which I am very much behind on. But it's hard having to always explain myself, and I really don't want to say that the main reason I'm studying in Scotland is for love, because it makes me feel kind of like I'm just here for my MRS degree and not a serious student, which I am. I'm also tired of saying it's because I wanted an adventure, which is also true, but it's kind of a lame reason.

Has anyone else been asked this so far, and if so, how do they respond without awkwardness?

When I first came over was to study and return back so when people asked I said "Experience from various facets is a Career advantage"

I get more annoyed nowadays when people assume I'm here because of my significant other...I always wanted to study in Europe it was the meeting someone that caused the complications

I came here (Edinburgh) to be close to my family.  If  I don't feel like explaining the full truth, I tell everyone that I chose to come to Scotland because of its world-famous reputation for excellence in higher education.  

If I'm feeling evil, I tell them that I love the weather here.  Honestly, the weather here does beat Boston's!

I get that all the time now! Seriously, just Sat. night some guy was chatting me up while I was out with a girl friend and he just didn't get why I'd choose to study here. I finally said, to be with my british boyfriend! I wasn't interested in the guy, but I was being polite and he was just a jerk. I am the only amer. in my classes too, but I am getting my MA in int'l studies, so very few ppl are from the UK anyway. I think the UK is a great place to get a degree - it's a diff style of learning than the states and it teaches self discipline. I do tell some ppl it's for my bf, but others I tell b/c it's int'l studies and I don't want to study in another language, but I appreciate the world view I get here as opposed to an education in the states.

You will have to come up with the nondescript standard answer that you can whip out when needed. Some people are rude, some people don't realize it's rude or don't mean to be when they ask that question. But you don't have to give out your life story to every stranger who unthinkingly asks for it with that sort of question. Be kind and polite; but unless you want to, you don't have to explain yourself to anyone.

We all get this; if I had 2p for every time I got asked that (by just about every taxi driver I have ever ridden with, for starters), I'd be a rich woman. It is annoying. It is intrusive. It's cute and fun the first handful of times but after awhile ..the reaction becomes, 'You know what, it's none of your gawdammned business!'

So to avoid being rude yourself, just come up with something short and snappy that ends that line of questioning. You can always smile Mona Lisa like and ask, 'Why not?'

I don't think it's them being rude I've heard that being said to someone from Australia , Japan, Thailand etc living in the UK which is a fair question. If your coming from a land that is  either:

1. far travel wise
2. equipped with the similar amenities as the UK


People in US used to hear my dad's accent and ask what made him settle in the US...small talk really. I Rather have them ask then assume and it's a good opener to get to know people and make new friends.

if you don't feel like a long speech just say

"People ask me all the time I just came for the experience"

*shrugs*