The "Where did you go to school?" Thread

[bing!]

That actually seems like a pretty similar concept to what we have in the states. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like European Universities focus more on "General Education", in that you don't have a specific focus, but gear more towards being a well-rounded scholar?

Well, yes and no. It's general in the sense that the curriculum does not focus on a specific line of study (e.g. comparative linguistics), but it still contains itself under a single "academic umbrella", in my case, linguistics (and literature, since one usually opts for a language (English, German, Bosnian or Turkish) and the "abutting" literary studies pertaining to said language)). We're being taught linguistics/literature as well as being taught how to teach it (this is where ESL methodology, psychology and pedagogy kick in).

The university envelopes nearly a dozen faculties (the word carries a different meaning outside the US (Any of the divisions or comprehensive branches of learning at a college or university)), each consisting of numerous departments. One enrolls in a faculty of one's choice and then proceeds to join a department of studies (which, I guess, could serve as an equivalent to your "major"). In the place of "minors", we get to choose between two additional courses which supplement our ECTS credits each semester (e.g. choosing between "Introduction to Gender Studies I & II" and "German Language VII & VIII" in the final year).

I say it's similar in concept because "Majors" have a lot of the same things you listed. For example, you have general requirements like foreign language, philosophy, mathematics, etc. Then you have a set of requirements that relate to your specific field of study so that you're prepared for your future career.

Now that you put it that way (and after checking the requirements you linked to), I'd say the systems are relatively identical. I always figured that folks in the US would choose a specific course and then thoroughly delve into it throughout their studies, never letting the focus go astray. I'm glad I was proven wrong.

$5,000 a semester

Holy s**t! That's a lot of dough for my standards. My college expenses were practically nonexistent (if one were to disregard the cost of the "symbolic" tuition). Couple that with the fact that I live ~20 minutes from the main building and that the canton wherein I reside covered most of my expenses, I didn't even come close to totalling your five grand. Gotta love socialism.

[ziggy]

Bing,

What is "symbolic" tuition?

[SWedd523]

Holy s**t! That's a lot of dough for my standards. My college expenses were practically nonexistent (if one were to disregard the cost of the "symbolic" tuition). Couple that with the fact that I live ~20 minutes from the main building and that the canton wherein I reside covered most of my expenses, I didn't even come close to totalling your five grand. Gotta love socialism.

Yeah tell me about it. Though I think a lot of it is recouped with higher salaries after you graduate. My European Studies professor was talking about healthcare programs in the EU and said tuition at medical school is a fraction of what it is in America, but American doctors tend to get paid much higher salaries. So I guess it's a bit of a tradeoff? Either way, American tuition is out of control.

And be careful that you don't ever mention socialism in a positive light in America. People will go nuts on you

[bing!]

Bing,

What is "symbolic" tuition?

Paying around 50$ per semester in order to, I'm guessing here, cover the costs of paperwork and various student services like exam registration forms and whatnot. It's "symbolic" in the sense that even though one's paying next to nothing, one's still paying "something".

Bear in mind, though, that this is only an option for those who had nigh perfect grades in high school and/or aced the entrance exams.

[PDXKass]

School? Stanford

Class? technically it will be 2014

Majors? pre-law, polisci, american history

have yet to decide on which law school i will attend.

[Black]

Greensbro College
2010
History :/

[ND22]

UNC Wilmington
2012
English

Attending UNCW in the fall to obtain my masters in English.

And Black, studying History is not something to frown on. Would have loved to have double majored in English and History, but at the time I felt the paperwork would be too much. I was right, but I still regret it.

[SWedd523]

Greensbro College
2010
History :/

Not talking trash, but what can you possibly do with a history degree?

[dnbman]

Not talking trash, but what can you possibly do with a history degree?

Go in the military?

English and history lend themselves to things like law pretty well.

Shout to all of my fellow English majors out there! Keeping coffee shops and bars well stocked with over educated and underpaid employees!

[SWedd523]

Yeah a lot of them go through law school, but aside from continued education and perhaps teaching, what could you do?