Loved your insight on American higher ed in comparison to other countries -- EU especially.
We're quite behind the times when it comes to higher ed, aren't we?
Our values in terms of higher ed are very different. We don't have a universal idea that everyone deserves an education. We don't see access to college as a right. Instead, we still understand it as a privileged. Why though? An educated populace is overall good for the economy as well as the social and political aspects of society. Not only is tuition not affordable, the interest rates on federal student loans are high.
Studying abroad is something I wish I considered for my undergraduate studies. I went to a VERY expensive private institute in NYC -- BUT, I got through the entire thing with financial aid (combination of grants, scholarships, and loans.)
That bit about exchange programs though...I had no clue.
I don't doubt that Icelandic or Swedish universities are just as good or even better than what we can get here. Frankly, I'd feel a little better receiving an education from an institution that does not profit greatly from it's students -- an institution that values learning and is passionate about leading a thoughtful generation.
Americans thinking they have the best schools (IVY LEAGUE) is not unheard of either. But Americans also believe they have the best of everything and they are the best at everything :P Yet, there are countries who got their shit together, with much happier, healthier citizens. Aw yes, blind patriotism. LOL
RE: found you from the LJ home page
We're quite behind the times when it comes to higher ed, aren't we?
Our values in terms of higher ed are very different. We don't have a universal idea that everyone deserves an education. We don't see access to college as a right. Instead, we still understand it as a privileged. Why though? An educated populace is overall good for the economy as well as the social and political aspects of society. Not only is tuition not affordable, the interest rates on federal student loans are high.
Studying abroad is something I wish I considered for my undergraduate studies. I went to a VERY expensive private institute in NYC -- BUT, I got through the entire thing with financial aid (combination of grants, scholarships, and loans.)
That bit about exchange programs though...I had no clue.
I don't doubt that Icelandic or Swedish universities are just as good or even better than what we can get here. Frankly, I'd feel a little better receiving an education from an institution that does not profit greatly from it's students -- an institution that values learning and is passionate about leading a thoughtful generation.
Americans thinking they have the best schools (IVY LEAGUE) is not unheard of either. But Americans also believe they have the best of everything and they are the best at everything :P Yet, there are countries who got their shit together, with much happier, healthier citizens. Aw yes, blind patriotism. LOL