Going Overseas for College
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Anonymous
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My daughter is considering options to go to college overseas. Today's APM Marketplace highlighted American students pursuing degrees in Germsny. We have about $100K socked away for DD to go to college, but that would go a lot farther in an overseas school. A few kids in her Arab program have gone to the UK, Canada or Japan. Do you think this is a good option for Americsn students? Would you encourage your son or daughter to do it? Why shell out $100K plus if you can buy the same or better product abroad! Outside the Ivies, do you think foreign competition will,end up hurting U.S. colleges?
http://www.marketplace.org/topics/education/learning-curve/american-students-head-germany-free-college |
Anonymous
I would absolutely consider this option. |
Anonymous
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Yes, but keep in mind some systems, such as the English system, don't offer the flexibility of study that U.S. Institutions do.
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Anonymous
| Yes, it is a great option, but you really need to do your research to know what you are getting. I would say that the undergraduate education in many countries can be much better - as well as much cheaper - than the education in the states. |
Anonymous
| Lots of kids these days going to St. Andrews in Scotland. They have a program specifically set up for American students, I believe. |
Anonymous
| Yes! Both kids will have attended university in the UK (and we're not British). For the right kid, an excellent option. |
Anonymous
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We looked into it very seriously for our eldest, but she decided to stay in the US. Our middle child is starting the college investigation process, and schools outside the US are still very much on the table.
A number of my friends with kids my eldest daughter's age are sending their children to schools outside the US. Mostly Canada, but also the UK. |
Anonymous
| any money i saved was spent flying her home on breaks and flying ourselves over to visit during summers she stayed or other holidays. |
Anonymous
Sorry if this is obvious but what is the Arab program? |
Anonymous
Not overseas but DC is looking at McGill in Canada. |
Anonymous
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This'll probably raise hackles, but having studied at both US and foreign universities, AND being closely connected to academia now, I would say that the US college experience is superior -- there are certainly exceptions, but I think that generally you'd need to go to an Oxford/Sorbonne/top of the line school for your educational experience to be similar. At my US (liberal arts) college, my professors knew who I was. I wrote papers and got feedback and was encouraged to speak in class and took classes in a variety of subjects. At my foreign college, 100% of my grade was based on one test -- sometimes there would be a paper in there as well -- and ALL of my classmates were "tracked" based on their performance on exams they took in high school. So, you're in biomedical engineering -- and you take biomedical engineering classes, none of this "explore your interests" stuff we have here. Creative, engaged thinking was a struggle for students at my European college. Certainly, this isn't a guarantee, and on some of the "metrics" many foreign colleges probably score better than US ones, but be careful.
Furthermore, outside of the top top schools, you don't have the same quality of faculty. In Europe, at least, faculty are paid much less than they are in the US, and there are insane rules for hiring nearly entirely based on where you publish. Most PhDs I know, even those who came from Europe, view US schools as much more appealing placements, all things being equal. And, again excluding the Oxfords of the world, once you teach at a foreign school, it's VERY difficult to come back, at least for professors, because foreign universities are generally not seen as on the same level as US ones. I know you're talking about a student, but these people will be teaching your child. Hate away, but that's how I see it. |
Anonymous
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PP - so what you are saying is you found it tough at the foreign school because you couldn't make the grades and liked the fun, easy going, teachers follow up to make sure you have your assignments ready US school you attended.
The only reason foreign profs would love to teach at US schools is because of the rediculous pay raise they would receive and that's because of the ridiculous prices students have to pay to attend. U.S. schools are not superior to foreign schools, that statement is ridiculous. Look overseas for a great education and one that is wayyyyy cheaper. |
Anonymous
Actually, all of the Americans I knew who were studying at this particular foreign school did very well, and I skipped half of one of my classes, reviewed material for the test, and walked away with the highest possible grade. So, nice try. At least with my school, the point was that you're entirely graded on a test. So, if you test well, you do well, end of story. And, yeah, US professors are SO overpaid. Please. Look up the starting salary for your average AP at an average to good college. My DH teaches at a place many DCUMers would sell a limb to get their kid into and his starting salary (pre-tenure) is 75K. It isn't nothing, but it's far from "rediculous," your spelling. I'm sure there are LOTS of good places to go to college overseas. And, I think that there may be some students who would be well-suited for such schools. But, it isn't the case that your "average" experience in the US with a 4-year college degree program will be the same as your "average" experience abroad -- the US experience will give you a better education. |
Anonymous
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So your DH teaches at a US college. Cutting up foreign education is in your best interest.
To the OP, ignore the negative comment by the PP. Going overseas for college is an excellent idea. |
Anonymous
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My DD studied overseas for a period of time and I hate to break it to the PP, but she has found her education at her US university much more difficult and exceedingly more interesting and stimulating. I am married to a European who came to the US for university and does not want his children going overseas because he feels that the overall the experience and education is much better in the US. In fact, he begrudgingly agreed to allow her the study time overseas, but was happy when she wanted to return to the US because she was underwhelmed.
On the other hand, European schooling is much stronger and more difficult in the lower grades. I don't think anyone should argue that a US elementary, middle or high school education comes even close to a European one (generally speaking). Quite frankly, even the strongest private schools in the US cannot compare to the expectations of many European countries in the lower years. In fact, one could argue that a completed high school education in many European countries is at roughly the same level as someone with 2 years of US college (or an Associates Degree) because of the expectations. I know that in Italy the average student who is studying will study 9-11 academic subjects each year of high school (and high school is 5 years, not 4 years). Where the US comes out ahead is in the higher degrees - the concentrations of majors for Bachelors degrees, Masters programs and Doctorate degrees. Like the other PP, I may get flamed for the above, but the reality is that the systems are different and it is hard to truly compare them. That is why having blind loyalty to them is a bit silly - they both have strengths and weaknesses. I believe gaining as much experience throughout life is the possible education and, if it's possible for your DC to study overseas then go for it. However, you will need to prepare them for the differences and have them be perfectly okay with that. Good luck on whatever you and your DC decide! |