Reply to Going Overseas for College

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "Going Overseas for College"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]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![/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics