The U.S. has one of the most advanced and developed higher education systems in the world. It revolves around a ‘Liberal Arts’ philosophy which focuses on the overall development of an individual and imparting vital skills in students along with knowledge that they require for their primary field of study.
The U.S. is home to most of the world’s best educational institutions which focus not only on academics, but many other aspects of student life including sports, arts etc. Studying in the U.S. is truly a unique experience as it enables students to grow as professionals as well as human beings. International students from all over the world choose to study in the U.S. over other countries for a variety of reasons including diversity, choice, campus life etc. Some of these reasons are explained in greater detail below.
Education System
The unique and flexible nature of the U.S. education system is a vital factor that drives students towards studying in the U.S.A. The duration of undergraduate or Bachelor level programs in the U.S is 4 years, unlike in India where a Bachelor degree course typically lasts for 3 years. The U.S education system allows students to study various unrelated subjects together so as to gain a better understanding with regards to where their aspirations truly lie. To pursue many professional courses like medicine and law, one would be required to complete a Bachelor’s level course in a broader but related field first. This helps students make well informed decisions as they are exposed to subjects from various disciplines. Students might realize that their actual interests lie in some other field as opposed to what they had decided earlier. The U.S. education system looks to solve that problem by providing students with the choice to alter their field of study during the Bachelor level course.
The focus in the U.S. education system is on research and individual development rather than just acquisition of knowledge. Students are encouraged to voice their opinions and the studies focus on practical knowledge and research. The system provides students with the opportunity to learn from highly skilled professors who usually teach while conducting their own research. This enables students to develop a friendly and comfortable rapport with their teachers which further helps in their development and progress as individuals and professionals. The classes are much smaller in size compared to India and institutions aim to give individual attention to each student.
Choice
One of the biggest advantages of pursuing higher education studies in the U.S. is the massive and diverse amount of courses that students can choose from. The U.S. has more than 4000 universities that offer a wide range of courses. You can choose to study in a private university or a public university. The difference between the two is massive as a big public university in the U.S. might admit around 50,000 students whereas private universities do not manage a number that is even close. Apart from Public and Private Universities, the U.S. is also home to many Liberal Arts colleges that focus on wholesome education and offer degrees in Arts and Science. You can also choose to study in a Community college that will offer you a 2 year ‘Associate Degree’ with an option to continue your Bachelor level studies from any other university after 2 years and obtain a Bachelor’s degree. Many students choose to pursue courses in Community colleges as they are much cheaper compared to traditional colleges.
The courses in the U.S. are as diverse as the different types of colleges. You will find highly specialized courses in the fields of Engineering as well as very broad courses in the field of Liberal Arts. You can pursue Associate Degrees offered by Community Colleges or 4 year Bachelor level degrees. Students can also choose to pursue various certificate – courses that do not offer degrees and stress on imparting a specific type of education.
Cutting Edge Technology and Infrastructure
In terms of technology and infrastructure, universities in the U.S are far ahead of colleges in most other countries. Students get the opportunity to work on high – tech equipment related to their field and have access to latest technologies. These technologies are not only limited to the field of Engineering and Science but include all other fields as every field requires students to obtain and process information. Studying in the U.S. will enable you to gain access to equipment and technologies that no other country’s educational institutions can offer. Knowledge in these techniques and technologies help students gain vital exposure and industry experience. This results in U.S. students being preferred over other applicants for jobs.
Campus Life
A vibrant and dynamic campus life is a big reason behind foreign students choosing to study in the U.S. As the U.S. is a culturally dynamic country, students get to witness and interact with people from diverse cultures. This interaction ends up contributing to their development as individuals. Student life in the United States focuses on many more aspects other than academics. There are a number of ‘clubs’ on campuses that focus on helping like – minded students meet and pursue their interests apart from academics such as theater and music. Sports are another major part of student life and Universities in the U.S. provide excellent facilities to students so that they can pursue their interests in various sports including athletics, basketball, American football, baseball etc. Students are encouraged to interact with each other and develop mutual respect and understanding. There are many cultural and social events through which students meet each other and get to know more about cultures, interests and ideologies.
Financial Aids and Job Prospects
U.S universities offer various financial aids to international students so that they can pursue courses offered by them. Also, various loans are readily available to students who wish to study in the U.S. as it is a general perception that studying in the U.S guarantees a good job. That notion is true to an extent as the students who have completed their education from universities and colleges in the U.S are generally given better jobs than other candidates. They are considered to be more knowledgeable compared to other applicants and are expected to perform better in all types of conditions. This proves to a big advantage for students who want to study in the U.S. as they manage to cope up with the costs of studying and living in a foreign country through various financial aids and are also able to recover that money in due time by getting good and financially rewarding jobs.
