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‘U.S education encourages innovation’
Indian students want to hear a lot about higher education in the United States. Last year, America had more than 83,000 Indian students, the largest from a single country, and the number is poised to increase year by year Frederick J. Kaplan, Consul for Public Affairs, US Consulate General, Chennai, was only too happy to throw more light on the prospects for Indian students to pursue higher education in United States at the St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchi, last week. According to him, higher education in the current context means having an understanding of the wider world, speaking more than one language and being comfortable with people from other countries and cultures. And developing creative thinking and analytical skills is of utmost importance. Quoting Sabeer Bhatia, founder of Hotmail.com, Mr. Kaplan said: “The Indian system of education is ‘knowledge-based’, while in the U.S. it is ‘inquiry-based’. The former encourages rote memorization, whereas in the latter students are encouraged to ask questions. In a fast-changing world, where knowledge is becoming obsolete every few months, it is more important to have “thinking” individuals who ask questions and create new products/processes than individuals with a lot of knowledge. The other aspect of U.S. education is that educational institutions attract the best and brightest from all over the world. So, you get a very competitive environment, which brings out the best in one. The mantra of “meritocracy” extends beyond education. As a result, you have great companies where merit and ability are more important than seniority. Institutions in India tend to value experience and seniority over intellectual ability and creativity.” “In a globalised world, where the same job can be performed in San Francisco and Bangalore, your competitive advantage will be brain-power. The more technology we have in our lives, the more education becomes the decisive factor in our sense of well-being, the separator between the haves and the have-nots.” Also in a globalized world, it makes sense to think of your education in global terms and to consider studying abroad. The United States receives more foreign students (over half a million) than any other country. It is because America produces 25 per cent of the world’s economic output, and accounts for 40 percent of global spending on higher education and 35 percent of R & D. Many Indians choose to study in the United States because they believe it provides the best education in science and engineering. U.S. institutions are also known for focusing on so-called “soft skills” like communication, management know-how and marketing. Mr. Kaplan said that the higher education system in the United States was tremendously diverse with some 3,700 colleges and universities to choose from. Public or state universities typically enrol tens of thousands of students and offer degrees in hundreds of subject areas. Private colleges and universities on average are smaller, more expensive, and may offer more personal contact between faculty and students. Most bachelor degrees are completed in four years of full-time study. The academic year usually begins in September and finishes in June with a short winter break in December. There are also community colleges, which are two-year colleges that exist in virtually every town in the U.S. They generally cost much less than a four-year institution and allows students to complete the first two years in a small, community-based environment. Then they can transfer to a four-year institution to complete bachelor’s degree. America believes in liberal arts education. That means that whatever students decide to major in, they should still have broad exposure to other subjects. Education in United States makes students well-rounded individuals who will succeed in any environment, who can think for themselves and are flexible. U.S. colleges and universities are increasingly coming to India to recruit qualified students. The key to getting into a U.S. college is a good academic record and an ability to pay for your education. Getting a visa, assuming you have been duly admitted to a college and can pay the tuition and living costs, is generally not a problem. Regardless of what you may have heard, most student visa applications are approved. Studying in a foreign country is a life-changing experience. Students gain new insights, make new friends, and greatly expand their career opportunities, said Mr. Kaplan.
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Looking west: Students of St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchi, browse books on the educational system in the United States. —