<p>Is it true that they are far more liberal than universities in the US? I am considering going to the University of Zurich. I am just worried about the social scene.</p>
<p>Sucks. European universities like to think that they are high-brow intellectual but in reality they're mostly shadows of the prestige they enjoyed in the past.</p>
<p>And what does 'more liberal' mean? Not as many rules?</p>
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European universities like to think that they are high-brow intellectual but in reality they're mostly shadows of the prestige they enjoyed in the past.
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Ehh, it depends on the school structure, really. In Germany, for example, they sort you into a particular type of school when you're 10 and only one of those types can make it to university right after high school. Of course the social scene would be different compared to, say, the US, where everyone can attend high school and have equal opportunities to make it into college. I don't know anything about Zurich, but look into how they structure their school systems. Should give you a hint about the social scene.</p>
<p>And yes, as Miss Silvestris says, European universities do tend to think of themselves as high-brow intellectual. But the students themselves aren't so prudish.</p>
<p>Alex</p>
<p>^ In Austria as well, I'm not sure about the other countries.</p>
<p>Is it true that the students indulge in sexual activity and alcohol more than American students? I am worried about drugs etc..I may be too conservative.</p>
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Is it true that they are far more liberal than universities in the US?
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Wait, I don't know what you mean by this either. Depends on what part of Europe, depends on what part of the US. There the student is responsible for his education. Meaning, it's really up to them how things go. In the US there are academic advisors, transcripts, registrars and other things that sort of "baby" the students, so to speak. </p>
<p>Hope this helped?
Alex</p>
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Is it true that the students indulge in sexual activity and alcohol more than American students?
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Sorry, missed this post. </p>
<p>Any campus in the US has sexual activity and alcohol. In my opinion, students on the other side of the globe just have a "healthier" attitude about it. It's not as big of a taboo over there.</p>
<p>Like it matters, really. It's supposedly a taboo (as in, it's been more condemned than explained) in the US but it still runs wild.</p>
<p>Alex</p>
<p>The Sorbonne in Paris is reputably intellectual (based on a source that went there of course).</p>
<p>And of course europe's going to be more liberal about sex and drugs ( i assume thats how you mean liberal) because of the lower drinking age there and the fusion of sex into their culture basically. like alexx said, its much less of a taboo there.</p>
<p>.. yes, I'd say you are sometimes too prudish for my taste
:-).
In my opinion, the difference comes from religion - in my class NOBODY believes.. and in America -50 percent?.
That's definitely something to get used to.</p>
<p>The fusion of sex into our culture?
Sex is no taboo - for the "lower-class", but it's not that bad for "normal" people. But I know native Americans, who call one of our most popular TV channels (which, I must admit, is made for the people of lower intellect) a porn channel. (Yes, there are breasts on TV. And people talk about sex. Ohmygod! )
We were absolutely amused by Americas' reaction to 'Nippelgate'.. </p>
<p>Drugs are a matter of opinion. "Weed" is very popular in certain circles, but you are in no danger (at least in Germany and Austria..), nobody will try to seduce you to do them.
There is a certain "I don't care about your cigarettes/drugs/alcohol as long as you respect that I don't like it" - culture.
Alcohol is a big problem in some countries - that really depends on the age restrictions.</p>
<p>Now about ETH Zürich.. It is >the< university for engineers (I'd chose it over Cambridge), very hard to get it, very expensive, very good professors. </p>
<p>I don't know about financial aid, it's not so popular here, as about 90% of Europeans university are free of fees (or 500€..).There are scholarships, but most cover the cost of living (which is brilliant, btw, got one, :-)
But don't mistake that for public universities - our "social system" is really expensive and, for example, my father has to give 50% of his income to the state. </p>
<p>I'd really look into other universities, though. The restrictions for ETH are quite high and "normal" Zürich University is "just" a normal university.. in an expensive country, but without any special reputation. </p>
<p>If anybody is interested in unis in Germany or Austria, I'd have some answers (I'll attend TU Munich.. mathematical engineering)</p>
<hr>
<p>I disagree with MissSilvestris about Austria, though. You get pre-selected, but it doesn't take away your right to go to college - and on the country, people all go to the same school..</p>
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I disagree with MissSilvestris about Austria, though. You get pre-selected, but it doesn't take away your right to go to college - and on the country, people all go to the same school..
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</p>
<p>In Graz, Austria where I stayed thatw as how it went. If you went to a gymnasium (the equivalent to our high school) you went on to college after doing this big exit affair they call a Matura. If you went to a trade school, such as studying to be a transportation officer or cook, you could not go to college right away (not many of them did, I'm not really sure if they went later or what?).</p>
<p>Alcohol is a big problem for the 16=18 year-olds of Europe atm. The newspaper is always yammering on about 'Komatriken' (which is basically what it sounds like- drinking until you're in the hospital) and youths. I don't know about drugs but if you're attached to your conservative ways, I'd stay in the US. Otherwise, it's a go.</p>
<p>I have a lot of european friends and they're definitley a lot more comfortable with drugs & sex than most americans.</p>
<p>my experience is that it's not the people that live in the country that go crazy with drinking, etc, but rather tourists taking advantage of the relaxed laws that the natives use in a responsible way.
-this would mostly be in the netherlands and poland</p>
<p>^Disagree. The European teenagers are just as bad as the tourists and especially in Poland and Austria :( I guess it depends on where you go?</p>
<p>^ It's a well-known fact that some tourists behave like *** because they can't deal with our relaxed laws..
In Austria the problem is, that you are allowed to drink "soft" things (beer, wine,..) when you are 16.., but there are/were never strict id controls. Mix curious or stupid 15-year-olds with group pressure and alcohol... It's a local problem, too. But the problematic people are younger.</p>
<p>->Miss Silvestris (as I'm from Austria) - I thought about the difference between Hauptschule & Gymnasium (Unterstufe) and you were thinking about Höhere und Fachschule, which doesn't end with Matura. You still select (it's your choice), when you are 14...</p>
<p>I still believe it also depends whom you hang out with. There'll probably always be people that are into drugs/sex, and people who aren't.</p>
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The European teenagers are just as bad as the tourists and especially in Poland and Austria
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Yeah, but compare that to the student phenomenon that tends to happen in the US. After years of taboo and restriction, a lot tend to go wild when they hit college because of their newfound freedom. My impression was that it's not really that big of an issue over there. </p>
<p>Besides, it'll always be a problem with young teenagers but we're talking about the university social scene.</p>
<p>Alex</p>