"I Don't Like Trump"
Sending Children to Study Abroad in Europe
As concerns over an economic downturn triggered by the trade war intensify, domestic opposition to President Donald Trump is growing in the United States. In this context, foreign media have reported that some wealthy New Yorkers are actively encouraging their children to study abroad in Europe in order to avoid President Trump.
According to Bloomberg News on May 13 (local time), an information session for 11 of Europe's top private schools was held in early May in the Upper East Side, a wealthy neighborhood in Manhattan, New York.
During the session, the schools explained to affluent New York parents the benefits of sending their teenage children to study in Europe. For a tuition fee only slightly higher than the approximately $70,000 (about 100 million won) required for Manhattan private schools, students could enjoy experiences such as rowing on the Thames, breakfast in dining halls reminiscent of Hogwarts from Harry Potter, and ski trips in the Alps.
However, the outlet reported, "More specifically, there was the issue of escaping President Trump," adding, "No one mentioned it openly, simply because fear of the Trump administration is widespread." The report continued, "In private conversations, however, the 'Trump issue' was cited as a major reason for the surge in parental interest in studying abroad," and analyzed that "dislike for President Trump has fueled growing interest among Americans in topics such as 'how to obtain a golden visa in Portugal' and 'how much retirement money to spend in Costa Rica.'"
At the session, Benenden School Principal Rachel Bailey said that the number of American students is expected to increase this fall due to the 'change in administration' and 'geopolitical trends.' Guy Hopkins, admissions officer at Westminster School, explained, "There are many Americans who are dissatisfied with American education for various reasons." David Wellesley, president of Next Step Education, while avoiding direct mention of President Trump, acknowledged, "Political instability is certainly one factor."
Meanwhile, there is analysis that President Trump, who is struggling with declining approval ratings, is leaning toward 'Democratic-style policies' such as lowering drug prices and increasing taxes on the ultra-wealthy in an effort to prevent public sentiment from turning against him. Experts believe this is an attempt to quickly quell negative public opinion about economic policies, which has been spreading due to concerns over an economic downturn triggered by the trade war. It is also interpreted as an effort to preemptively block attacks from the Democratic Party ahead of next year's midterm elections.
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