Contrast expressions

A student recently made a mistake in this expression:


There are many students who came from far away to our university in spite of they have another university near their hometown.


In spite of, even though, and although are the three most common 対象 expressions which cause problems. My advice: use simpler expressions, like "but" as often as possible.



Many students grew up in towns with universities, but they chose to come to our university.


Please use English well this year!