Have you ever wished you were born in America? Or that Harvard were in your country?

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I admit that I did so MANY times in between staying up nights on end to write my essays, prepare for my SATs, reading on CC about the us internationals' tough luck in getting in and the ridiculous difficulties we face in getting financial aid, and basically stressing the life out of myself during the process. Many of us would have had a far easier time as domestic applicants. But seriously. Now I can't imagine changing any part of my identity - I love the life here in my own country. I can't say I'd be thinking this way if I had been unsuccessful in my applications though.</p>

<p>how about you? :D</p>

2

<p>No and no. I love everything about India expect its education system, and I'm not a Harvard fan.</p>

3

<p>Oops, I meant Harvard as a reference to top colleges in general. Not sure if i can change the thread title though =/</p>

4

<p>I used to think that if I were a high school student in America, I wouldn't be having such a hard time with college applications and admissions and stuff. I felt like it wasn't fair that I was getting absolutely sh-t grades when I knew I wasn't all that stupid. Haha. But it all worked out in the end. And I wouldn't trade my experiences as an international student for anything. </p>

<p>An unlimited supply of cash may make the deal sweeter though...</p>

5

<p>
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I love the life here in my own country.

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<h2>Wow. </h2>

<p>Anyway, I won't trade the experiences, the people that I know and the friends I have made, but the atmosphere and environment? Yeah.</p>

6

<p>
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I used to think that if I were a high school student in America, I wouldn't be having such a hard time with college applications and admissions and stuff.

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</p>

<p>Absolutely, that's what I thought too. It just seems totally unfair that all the great universities are in America, but of course nobody is obliged to provide us with great education. </p>

<h2>
[quote]
Wow. </h2>

<p>Anyway, I won't trade the experiences, the people that I know and the friends I have made, but the atmosphere and environment? Yeah.

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</p>

<p>The great diversity of food here kind of clinches it for me, I love to eat. The atmosphere does seem a little boring, but I entertain myself with world news and it seems okay lah. I probably will have to get to the States before I actually realize how exciting a country's atmosphere could be.</p>

7

<p>Heh, I love steak and mutton. No need for diversity. Don't really like asian food, other than Chinese.</p>

8

<p>Yes, I totally envy American students at the moment. I'm going to apply to colleges this autumn and it seems so over my head. I, too, often think that if I would be an American student I'd have perfect grades and everything. At least I wouldn't have to study 25 different subjects throughout HS. (I have atleast 15 different subjects every year and most of them continue throughout HS). Also, iI would have so much better EC-s because in my country, well, we consider sport or art as an EC not school clubs. I think it is going to be a bit difficult to explain that to the addmission officers.
So, yes I regret in some ways that I'm no an American. On the other hand, I do love being an Estonian ;p</p>

9

<p>Ugh. I totally wish I were a U.S. citizen. Apparently being Canadian isn't enough... =/</p>

10

<p>as international students.. we have to pay more, study harder, and work harder just to get what other american students have.. and simply, it's not fair. </p>

<p>However, I keep reminding myself that someday, in someway, it will pay off... it will my friends.. the one who works harder always gets better future!!!</p>

11

<p>hmmm I might have to disagree with you there lydia; those are American colleges, after all. they're not obliged to take us in at all :)</p>

12

<p>Hi all...</p>

<p>Just a thought... "The grass always seems greener on the other side!"</p>

13

<p>NUS vs Amherst? Its not a case of "The other Shaltanac's joopleberry shrub is always a more mauvy shade of pinky-russet". ;)</p>

14

<p>LOL @ Nadash</p>

15

<p>For the most part no, but sometimes yes. Living/Having been born in the States would give you more opportunities perhaps, but sometimes it's international status that helps one to get accepted. Just my opinion.</p>

16

<p>I won't trade my experiences in Nepal for anything in the world. It is a part of who I am. And, don't think, being american citizens would simply get us places in a top university. All american high school valedictorians do not get into Harvard or any other dream colls.</p>

<p>Also, being an international student, we will rip most benefits out of college life in US than American students do. remember, we will be interesting ones in any coll we go...</p>

17

<p>Although I don't like my country that much, I'm not sure where I would stand today if I had visited an American High School.
I'd like to have something like a college counselor(or a parent who pushed me into the right direction from an early age on), though...</p>

18

<p>I would not want either. I love the city i was born and raised in. I also like the fact that I am learning in a foreign environment. I cannot imagine myself being born in the US , nor would I want to loose the change of being educated at a foreign nation.</p>

19

<p>No and yes. Much as I might dislike my education system I've benefited a lot from it. But I think we can do with more unis, I think the admission process isn't totally fair.</p>

20

<p>Nope! :D I think as an international student, the university was more willing to give me aid. But my middle-class American friends, mostly those who're white, were all screwed by their Finaid awards..most included huge loans etc. I couldn't have afforded university without the wonderful aid from my college. So, I'm very grateful! For once, facing the visa interviewer didn't make me feel bad.</p>