Exactly. No Jade you didn't uproot your life, negotiate visas, apply for jobs, find housing, learn the language and start a new expat life.
You just did a few weeks of online study in a new location, all of which was organised for you.
I honestly think I would be more accepting of it if she said it and was going to something like Bristol (using this as an example because I think she had an offer from them?)
At least at a normal uni, you're going to have a fairly independent experience. You'll find the house, housemates, pay the bills if required and the like. Minerva is just a boarding school for people who want to travel constantly
It's honestly crazy to me how lacking some of these people will probably be in independence that other people would have had at their age. Sure, travelling around the globe somewhat alone is independent but it's unlikely that the rest of your life will go the same way. These people probably don't have the experience of general living that the average uni student is going to have with managing their own accommodation and the like
Also, I'd say that most people can probably afford to travel alone and gain independence from that. Plus, I assume a lot of people will be taking trains or other public transport during term time back home, and that's more or less some independent travelling too