<p>Kind of a general question considering the broad variety of students on this board, but I am kind of confused as to why there is such a push, on the undergrad level, to go study abroad, and/or at a really prestigious school. Particularly to the US but also Canada and England (correct be of I'm wrong about the last two).
Would it not just be easier and more economic to study on your undergrad level in your home country and then do an MA and PhD in the UK or NA?</p>
<p>I am not being condescending or anything I'm enrolled in a Canadian univ too (though I'm canadian so no big deal there) but as far as I know there are many good schools in smaller/poorer areas of the world and if its for the reputation factor then usually most people refer to their MAs anyways.
Happy Holidays everyone.
Sasha</p>
<p>there was no "push" for me.
I just wanted a liberal arts education.
And yeah, it IS easier to study in my home country and then pursue grad abroad.</p>
<p>My favorite major is not available in my country. My second favorite either. That's all. I'm not fond of the USA; I wouldn't like to live my life there.</p>
<p>I think OP makes a valid point; but in fact that's what most students are doing already! The number of people studying abroad for their undergrad degree is MUCH less than the number of people studying abroad for graduate degrees. The people you see on this board are really in the minority.</p>
<p>As for why I am planning to study abroad, it's because I joined a college in my country and realised very quickly that it was academically not the right choice. Plus it was very weak in the subject I want to major in, as are the other colleges in my country. I would say that's what forced my hand.</p>
<p>Kyo7 I get what you mean, I many aspects of the European (not saying thats what you like) lifestyle appeal more to me as well (though EU is even more diverse in that sense so its hard to categorize).</p>
<p>As far as PhD's and MAs go though hands down the States do seem to be the best place. I guess having a degree from an undergrad institution there makes you more eligible to enter good PhD programs or something.</p>
<p>But you all have to admit, an education in Peru or Cuba is not the same as those in England or the US or even Canada. For me at least, US education has broadened my view of everything. I don't think I would have learned as much in the US in my home country.</p>
<p>"Would it not just be easier and more economic to study on your undergrad level in your home country and then do an MA and PhD in the UK or NA?"</p>
<p>God, thank you. Finally someone shares my opinion. On the other hand, I must say that most of international applicants don't come from Western Europe, therefore the US lifestyle or a Western education must be appealing for them. I "tested" both French and American education styles, and I must say that the two are not so fundamentally different... so why spend $30,000+ for a good American college while you can attend the oldest university in the world (therefore somewhat respected) for 5€?</p>
<p>Personally: I want to double-major, and I want a bit of flexibility. Neither of which I can have in India. (Additionally, in my particular case, there are age issues with studying at home -- will be forced to take a gap year, which I don't want to do.)</p>
<p>Also, I am not convinced of the validity of the Indian education system, but I won't get into that.</p>
<p>I definetly want flexibility... however I also like The Core. Here, you get neither. For example, if you're engineering first year, you take the same classes as everyone else - and they are alll related to physics and math.
I'm planning to major in neurosci/bio (neurosci, is not offered here) but I want to take part in a bit of history, business, writing, etc...</p>
<p>I am also planning to take part in extensive research after i graduate, but my home country has very little opportunities for research in my field.</p>
<p>Those are my 2 main reasons. I've got heaps more minor ones too.</p>
<p>I want to study in the US because -at least at the undergrad level- everything seems to be so student-centered.
I am enrolled in linear algebra course at a university here in Germany with about 300 other students for the lectures (4 hours/week), and "only" 50 kids for the rehersal periods (1h/week) where you get to ask questions. But of course, only sciences get rehersal periods at all. And don't ever expect a discussion in a sociology or psychology class/lecture. There are none. Studying is all about taking notes in lectures of 150+ students and taking one big exam at the end of each course, which will be the one and only grade you get.
And as NoFX said, all your classes are in your major field (except if you have to do a minor in some cases), but that's it.
Compare that to any residential LAC in the US. There you've got homework, classroom discussions, research opportunities, athletics, clubs, and you get to take classes outside your major.</p>
<p>I think the education at the grad level in the US is about the same as in Germany, which is why I want to get an undergraduate degree in the US and go back to Germany for grad school.</p>
I think the education at the grad level in the US is about the same as in Germany, which is why I want to get an undergraduate degree in the US and go back to Germany for grad school.
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Nah, as a German, I have to disagree. For graduate school, it comes down to research. US clearly has the top-notch program here. Germany doesn't stand any comparison. I'd rather do undergraduate in Germany and then go the US, since I'm not totally sure whether this liberal-arts thing isn't a bunch of crap ;)</p>
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For graduate school, it comes down to research. US clearly has the top-notch program here.
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I agree, but only concerning the hard sciences and related fields like medicine, psychology... where the equipment used places clear limitations to your work. I don't think that applies to e.g. sociology and even math (which is what I care about).
And about the liberal arts thing: ...there were not many schools (6 or 7 maybe) left over after I looked at their course offerings in math, and I expected the same as I would find at a German university.
In the end it all comes down to what you are looking for. I certainly wouldn't go to the US for undergrad engineering.</p>
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I think the education at the grad level in the US is about the same as in Germany, which is why I want to get an undergraduate degree in the US and go back to Germany for grad school
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<p>You'll probably need to get a master's degree in the US on top of a BS/BA in order to be admitted into a doctoral program in Germany. As mentioned before in this and other threads, a 4-year US bachelor's degree is generally considered equivalent to 3-year post-secondary degree in the new Bologna system and therefore does not entitle a student to be admitted directly into a doctoral school.</p>
<p>Wow, we have "doctoral schools" in Germany? I wasn't aware of that....
I don't see a real issue here. In Germany, you get your Master's degree (=taking classes and writing a thesis), and then do some (independent) research and write another thesis to get your PhD (without taking any more classes). In the US, taking classes, doing research and writing the doctoral thesis is blended into one program, which doesn't make it very different from the German process though.</p>
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And btw, you are not "admitted into a doctoral program in Germany". You only need to find a PhD advisor and then write your thesis....
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<p>I don't know about Germany, but in Switzerland at least (e.g. at ETH), one has to be officially admitted by the school to become a regular PhD student. Anyway, your objection is a matter more of form than substance. If you didn't like the way I put it, I'll re-phrase it: a German professor is unlikely to agree to serve as your thesis supervisor if you hold only an American B.S. degree, as that is generally considered a lower degree compared to a German diplom or a new (post-Bologna) German masters.</p>
<p>Sorry, misunderstood you.
Anyway, I never said I wanted to work on a PhD thesis right away. When I said grad school I was referring to a Master's degree program (and maybe a PhD afterwards).</p>
<p>OK, I get what you all are saying -both sides, but then how about this. In many countries nowadays there are American-style colleges than although may not have the glitz of a US school offeer the same kind of Liberal Arts education available in North America. I don't know all the details about countries like Germany a nd France but I have heard of a at least a few such schools there. I know they now exist in Italy, in the Czech Republic and a couple of other countries and many are usually suited to the budget of their home country's 'middle class'.</p>