So, 2012, where to go?

Student Lounge International Students
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<p>Hi everyone! </p>

<p>So..i'm finishing HS this year, and i've decided i want to experience new things in life, go to somewhere completely new and pursue a diploma abroad, yaaay!
Problem is I'm now stuck on where to actually go!</p>

<p>I've always wanted to go to the states..but as of 2012, things are really hard even for american ctitizens. Going to the US is a lottery, there's a cap on H1-B's, and it's not guaranteed that i'll be able to became a part of the society i decide to immigrate to, which is a must for me: i wanna go somewhere i'll be able to call home after i finish up school.</p>

<p>In California, there's a lot going on, the govt is slashing the education budget to the core, and the state is pretty much broke. There's also always the usual complaints: overcrowding, too many illegals and too many people whose only thing in common are their dreams of becoming the next star.</p>

<p>Plus the United States seems to be very unfriendly deep inside..you always hear someone complaining about foreigners "stealing our jobs" and stuff..which is not my intention.</p>

<p>Canada, on the other hand is very immigration friendly..if you graduate there you have very good chances of becoming a permanent resident under the Canadian Experience Class..but is it as good as the US? How most canadian universities rank up with americans? U of T, UBC, would they be as good as say, USC? University of Texas? of California? How would be Toronto compared with US major cities, like LA? All in all: would you recommend? </p>

<p>Then there's Australia. Seems nice! But some say it's way too expensive :/
They say one would afford ivy league ed with the amount of money required to settle in Melbourne, or Sydney. Plus i've never been anywhere close to AUS..it definitely has that "far-away" feeling.</p>

<p>Currently on the table for me are: UT at Austin, USC, University of California, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and University of Melbourne
I wanna major in Economics, and i'm from Brazil.</p>

<p>On a side note, i would like to say i'm not a genius, instead a hard-working, determined guys who's willing to do whatever possible to reach my objectives. I'm also VERY passionate about guitar, thus looking for a place with a nice music scene, where i can dedicate myself both to school and being active in a band, too much to ask? LOL!</p>

<p>So where y'all think it's a good place to go?</p>

<p>Any input is deeply appreciated you guys, i'm also sorry for any misspellings, i'm ESL!
Thanks!! (:</p>

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<p>As far as colleges go
[QS</a> World University Rankings - Topuniversities](<a href=“http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011]QS”>http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011)</p>

<p>You could always go to a good college in the US and then move to Canada or something.</p>

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<p>First: do you have THE MONEY? Have you checked how much an American education will cost you? </p>

<p>Also, private universities in California (and elsewhere) will offer you all the customer care, access to classes and posh accommodations that are under the gun in the publics. All it takes to enjoy it – is $$ – at many of the privates, not even high grades are required. </p>

<p>Finally, for someone concerned about American “unfriendliness” toward foreigners why on earth are you considering Texas?</p>

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<p>Yea, i think my family and i can work the costs out…up to some limit. I’ve already checked about costs…in fact, i’ve done deep research in a lot of topics regarding this whole thing (:
I’m considering Texas because several people have said that UT Austin has a good economics program.</p>

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<p>Texas does have a good GRADUATE economics program. </p>

<p>I don’t know what you mean by being able to afford a US education “up to a point.” Almost all American universities/colleges will cost you around $50,000 per year. As an international without great grades and test scores you will not be awarded any scholarships. Legally, you are also not allowed to work more than twenty hours on campus, at minimum wage per hour - enough for some spending money, but that’s about it. </p>

<p>[Best</a> Undergraduate Business & Economics Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.collegeatlas.org/best-business-colleges.html]Best”>Best Undergraduate Business & Economics Colleges and Universities)</p>

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<p>Lets just say i can pay, sorry for being confusing.
Do you think it’s worth coming to the US and risk having to go back in the future, while i can go to safer places (when it comes to immigration) such as Canada, or Australia?</p>

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<p>I believe that the best solution for you is Canada. The education is great (nobody will tell you that US>Canada regarding education (except very few institutions e.g. Harvard MIT etc.). In addition, Canada will be more like “home” to you when you. The education is allot cheaper than the US. Australia could be an option but i believe its pricier (not sure though). You also may wanna check McGill University in Montreal (Great University. However I know nothing about their economic department)</p>

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<p>i heard pres Obama is talking about giving green cards to people who graduate with a STEM diploma, i’d change my mind in a heartbeat to engineering LOL…both eng and economics are nice :stuck_out_tongue:
but this is a long shot…and hoping that would actually happen in the future is quite a reach</p>

<p>metaxa13, do you live in canada yourself? thanks for your input bro! </p>

<p>(:</p>

<p>EDIT: also, why do many canadians come to the US for college?</p>

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<p>President Obama wants to do a lot of things his opposition will never in a million years let him get near. And with the economy as weak as it still is, green cards for international graduates is a political hot potato unlikely to be handled by a President seeing re-election. Not something you should count on!</p>

<p>If you really want to emigrate, Canada WILL be easier - and its schools cheaper. You can get a fine education there, especially at their top schools such as McGill, Toronto, UBC, etc.</p>

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<p>Yes, universities in Canada are GENERALLY cheaper. But not the famous ones, like University of Toronto or McGill. Tuition + housing and food can easily be anywhere from $20-50,000.
And they don’t really give a lot of financial aid. If you get admitted to one of the top US schools, as hard as it might be, you might get very generous scholarships.</p>

<p>Would be interesting to see what the OP got on his ACT/SAT etc.</p>

<p>P.S. Romney and Gingrich both agree that they would “staple” a green card to every STEM degree. I wonder if the rest of the Reps in Congress agree. Just as long as the students aren’t Mexican, of course.</p>

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<p>“as long as they ain’t mexicans!” LOL!!!</p>

<p>No SAT/ACT yet, i’m gonna take them this year, togheter with the TOEFL. I think i’m gonna do fine… i score like 80 - 90% on my subjects in HS…and HS in brazil is tough oO</p>

<p>there’s a lot of canadians into US unis tough…why? what do they seek in the US that Canada doesn’t have to offer? or is it purely about the accomplishment of going to college abroad?</p>

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<p>Have you considered studying in Singapore or Hong Kong?</p>

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<p>HeydudeitsDanny No, I don’t live in Canada. However I’m applying as an international student from Greece to both Canada and US(I think you already know why I want to leave my country). My opinion is purely based on the research I’ve done through the internet. (out of topic : I’m also really passionate about electric guitar :P)</p>

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<p>@Moneyp: Nah, Asia isn’t my cup of tea (:</p>

<p>Very well, how about the cost of living? we’ve talked about the cost of the education itself, but how more expensive are things in general in Canada when compared to the US?</p>

<p>@metaxa13: Yeah dude, the TV/newspapers keep saying Greece is f-ed up nowadays! You a Aerosmith fan? :D</p>

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<p>Canada is generally more expensive, due to higher taxes and the VAT.
However, it depends where you want to go. Big cities like Toronto or Montreal are certainly more expensive than the average Canadian city.
On the other hand, the best schools are usually in the Northeast, California or big cities, which can also be very expensive. </p>

<p>Just to give you an idea:
[City</a> Mayors: World’s most expensive cities in 2011 - Ranking](<a href=“http://www.citymayors.com/economics/expensive_cities2.html]City”>City Mayors: World's most expensive cities in 2012 - Ranking)</p>

<p>I do recommend that you take a practice SAT and ACT to see what level you’re really at.</p>