Studying in the USA is virtually synonymous with top-notched education, vibrant campuses and land of dreams known as the American Dream. But there is an entire underworld of bizarre facts and remarkable insights that lies beyond what many would consider some normal expectations to be part of your study journey. This post will dive into this magical hidden world, shining a light on what it truly is like to study in The U.S. Innovative companies such as http://genome10k.org/ have introduced a recruitment system aimed at attracting top talents from US universities. Check their website for more details.
One of the weirdest instances where they study in US is its curriculum flexibility. Some countries force students to pick a major before they even start at university, but in America most are able to play around with alot of different topics and see what sticks.
There are also many universities that promote an interdisciplinary approach to studies, in which students can successfully merge two seemingly opposite fields. For instance, a student may decide to major in Computer Science and minor in Philosophy, or do both an Engineering and Music double-major. This also promotes the development of a creative mind which is another way students are able to balance workloads and learn new skills for instant job market relevance.
Another thing that is very much a part of the American education system are electives. Examples include ceramics and psychology that are not part of the student's major. While they give students a comprehensive education, these courses can serve as the platform for discovery of new interests and talents.
American universities are basically small towns within themselves, each with its culture and traditions. This is an aspect of campus life that international students, upon arrival to the state find amusingly strange.
Most universities have bizarre traditions that are centuries old. At MIT, this might mean the annual "Brass Rat" ring delivery ceremony or at University of Chicago it's all about Scav Hunt--a campus-wide scavenger hunt with challenges both peculiar and creative.
Greek Life is a major part of campus culture at many universities in the United States, with fraternities and sororities (the collective term for these organizations) playing key roles. Most of these groups are secret, with arcane rituals and insider memberships. Greek Life may not be for everyone but it is an offer like no other in college and very interesting as well.
American campuses have been recognized as having the „best diversity globally“, with students from all around coming to learn. The liberal way of life here in this land has shown me something which may turn out to be the most important part,that is the melting pot of cultures; as result there are many students with diverse experiences and perspectives who can learn from each other. Additionally, most schools have cultural clubs where students can also connect and find a sense of belonging.
While everybody knows how exorbitant tuition fees can be when studying in the USA, there are countless other costs of student life that you may never have heard about. These costs can add up fast — so it is very important for students to budget carefully.
This is probably the most unexpected cost of college for students. Now, whether or not those textbooks are included in the tuition depends on which county you live in but here where I am from we have to buy our own text books. For many students, buying textbooks can add up to hundreds of dollars each semester—causing them to buy secondhand textbooks or e-books.
For college students in the USA, other major expenses include having to pay for health insurance. This is very different from developing countries, where in the USA health insurance are also something students have to pay for out of pocket (it can get pricey!) Further, medical treatments can be expensive even for the insured which is why it is so important for students to know what their own healthcare options are.
Living expenses in the USA can be high or low depending on where you go to university. Students could be primarily responsible for rent and utilities, but these are far from the only costs: transportation, meals and entertainment may also add up to a significant total. New York, San Francisco, Boston etc. are known to be expensive cities vs small towns and the countryside can be more easy on your pocket- so take that into account when educating yourself about this topic.
And academic success has never been the only piece of what constitutes “the right stuff” in America. Universities also value extracurricular and club involvement, with students being encouraged to partake in a variety of clubs, sports teams or volunteer endeavors. Plot twist: they arent just for the lulz, buddy (and even when they are — yknow max fun should be a priority allowing you to apply some mad skills into making that dope af resume).
Most US universities have leadership programs, and students can become club presidents or team captains to organize events. For example experiences like these can foster valuable employability skills in students, such as communication teamwork and problem solving.
College internships are an integral part of the American Education System. It is through associations and partnerships with local agencies that many universities connect students to real-world experience while still in school. Many times, they can become job offers after graduation and are a vital part of that student experience.
In the USA, volunteering is another key part of campus life. Certain universities also have affiliations with the local communities providing students avenues to serve that are so much more than just community service. As a result of these experiences, students learn to be more empathetic and responsible members in their communities.
How we score — Through a combination of exams, assignments and sometimes participation or attendance; our grading system is arguably more different than deaf pines on the origins. The system is amazingly freeing and confining at the same time, a fact that international students may take advantage of or find terribly frustrating.
Unlike in some countries where all of your grades are just final exams, the American system usually entails continuous assessment throughout a semester. Eg: Quizzes, Midterms, Essays and even presentations. Though this will alleviate some pressure on any given final exam, it does not necessitate active learning throughout the semester which may cause a harder to consistently put in effort and time manage.
Class participation is often a major part of the American grading system. That requires participants to speak, ask questions and participate in the course. This is a struggle for students whose cultures may not emphasize participation in the same way.
Unfortunately, this system used by some American professers is a grading curve that adjusts student grades relative to the rest of their class. This is really good in tough courses where the mean score is low for everyone, but can also worsen a hypercompetitive classroom. Knowing how the grading curve functions is a cornerstone of academic life in America.
Networking is America's cornerstone in education. Developing contacts in academia is often vital; universities drum into undergraduates the importance of networking for your career — finding internships, jobs and collaborators.
This is a tremendous resource as many American universities, in particular, have extensive alumni networks. For time incubators that give mentorship, jobs and even funding to start-ups. Alumni community can be a big success tool for students
Additional activities like career fairs and networking events are also typical sights on American campuses, opening up the possibility of connections with employers in the field. The realization is, at these events we are not finding a job but making relationships for oneself that can work in favor of the students forever.
In the United States, professors and academic advisors are usually more involved in students' lives than their counterparts at other levels of education. They are generally friendly and helpful about your career moves. For instance, establishing a professional relationship with professors can result in opportunities to conduct research under their mentorship; have them write your recommendation letters once you graduate and need a job or admission into another school; discussion on career direction etc.
US is famous for having a innovative and entrepreneurial culture with places like Silicon Valley. Many American universities pride themselves on a maverick, creative spirit that drives students to incubate new ideas and start businesses of their own.
Most American universities have their own incubators and accelerators for students who are looking to launch their startups. The advantages of some of these programs range from mentorship, funding opportunities to a network consisting entrepreneurs and investors. Involvement in the entrepreneurial spirit is part of the total American Education Experiential Package.
Competitions and hackathons are frequently organized in universities where students propose new ideas to solve problems. It promotes innovative and problem solving spirit in students due to which they are able to use their theoretical knowledge into practical scenarios.
I know many of our American universities partner with corporations on research and development. The collaborations allow students to work on the latest technologies and get experience in areas of their interest. This industry academia link has been the hallmark of education in America.
Higher education in the United States of America is a journey that takes students through a rich landscape of opportunities. Just like the Grand Canyon, a national park and a landmark seen in the US, education offers a picturesque path filled with natural wonders and monuments of learning. With institutions spread across all 50 states, students can delve into subjects ranging from political science in Washington DC to archaeology. Many renowned musical artists like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Beyoncé graduated local schools and universities, setting an example for younger people.
