You just completed high school or are in the final years of high school, and you’re thinking about what’s next for you. Or perhaps you already have a first degree and have possibly worked for a while, but you want to pursue an advanced degree, get a satisfying job and change your lifestyle. Do you stay close to home and attend university or do you tread a new path and pursue education outside of home? In today’s blog post we make a case for why you should consider a US college or graduate school education.
From our personal experience, obtaining a US college and graduate education has offered us invaluable academic, professional and personal growth. Besides, it has also exposed us to a variety of career opportunities. Don’t just take our word for it, according to Pew Research a whooping 59% of adults in advanced economies consider a US education to be above average/the best among developed nations. So here are a few reasons for why you should consider a US education:
1. Options, Options, Options.
The US provides a variety of options for students to customize their learning based on interests, needs and experiences they desire. Prospective students have lots of choices regarding school and degree programs.
School Options
With the many institutions in the US come a variety of options on where to attend school. There exist community colleges which are two-year institutions where students can obtain an associate degree; and four-year colleges called universities in other countries, where students can obtain a Bachelors degree or obtain a Masters/Doctorate degree. Additionally, schools can be further categorized as public vs private institutions, as well as historically black colleges & universities (HBCU) vs predominantly white institutions (PWI). Future blog posts will cover perspectives and comparisons on some of these institutions.
Degree Program Options
Students have the freedom to select from a wide list of programs of study for their degree. Although different schools offer different degree programs, prospective students will always have a list of school options that offer programs in their intended field of interest. It is also very easy to pivot career paths (i.e. change majors/degree of study) if you develop a different interest. In addition, there are opportunities to pick areas of specialization within a field of interest. For example, a chemical engineer who focuses on medicine. Imagine an education system where you can ideally carve out a path that is unique to you alone!
2. Development Opportunities
The US education system provides a myriad of opportunities that will contribute to your personal, academic and professional growth. These opportunities include easy access to available resources, interpersonal skill development and experience cultural diversity.
Resource Availability
There are unlimited resources to ensure a quality education, trust us, there is no lack! Some of these resources include classroom technology, libraries, virtual/hybrid/in-person learning, and top-notch science laboratories. US schools provide students access to lots of resources including professor and teaching advisers office hours, academic advising, career development, and personal counseling.
Interpersonal skill development
The ability to move away from home teaches you to be adaptable to a new culture and way of living. Additionally, this will teach you to be tenacious as you seek to thrive in this new environment. Other skills you will develop in the process include self awareness, confidence building, communication skills, problem solving and independence.
Diversity
The US provides a multicultural environment with people of different cultures, beliefs, and histories. Interacting with a diverse range of people while studying in the US will enhance your global perspective i.e. you will become a true global citizen by studying in the US.
3. Employment prospects
The US is recognized internationally for its effective structured education system, and graduating from a US institution can set students apart in the job market. Whether applying for jobs internationally or if you choose to remain in the US, the US provides students with opportunities for practical training.
Post-study visa opportunities
Through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme the US allows students work for a year after their education. You have the opportunity to extend it for an additional 2 years (at the time of publishing this article) if you studied in a STEM major!
Future career opportunities
A US education will increase your chances for a successful career; by presenting opportunities to obtain practical knowledge through research and internships. There is also the opportunity to gain further international exposure through study abroad. All these opportunities provide an overall experience that will cater to your growth and professional development.
There you go! We hope that this article has provided everything you need to make the decision to study in the US. If you still have questions about the process, or need further guidance, check out our services to see how we can support you!
-The SASS Team