College Around The World

By Timothy Hayes on June 23, 2015

With the recent release of His Holiness Pope Francis’s latest encyclical Laudato si’, some interesting internet rumors have abounded regarding His Holiness’s education.

Some internet sources are claiming that Pope Francis has his master’s degree in chemistry. Let’s clear this up. His Holiness entered a technical training program immediately following high school to become a chemist, something more akin to a low-tier pharmacist in the U.S. According to the National Catholic Reporter, Pope Francis earned a título or an extended secondary diploma offered for technical job training.

This interesting media confusion over His Holiness’s former job title of chemist is indicative of a general lack of understanding of foreign education systems in the world at large. U.S. citizens are unfortunately accused worldwide of being insensitive to other cultures. While this could be an accusation leveled at any culture, the face presented to the world is one that cares little of the rest of the world and its different ways.

Here, I will guide you into other people’s forms of culture in the area of higher education.

In the U.S., it is now an expectation of children to go through 12 years of mandatory education and typically two years or prior preparatory work while still very young. Afterwards, several doors are opened to graduating seniors. This can include entering the workforce directly, joining the military, or higher education. While the other two options are certainly viable, the third is strongly pushed upon this generation with such forcefulness that it seems to many that a college diploma is the only option they really have to “get a good job.”

Worldwide, this is not the case.

In Nordic countries such as Finland, when children finish elementary education they choose a career path and attend a corresponding secondary school. These schools will teach trade alongside general education. The length and type varies amongst the countries, but usually two years is dedicated just to the trade to be learned, such as cooking, welding, or sailing.

Students can also opt for a secondary school to prepare themselves for education in a tertiary environment to receive a bachelor’s degree. Some trade schools place students directly within a company as an apprentice. They have a negotiated salary that is between 30 and 80 percent of a full starting salary.

In Europe in general, education is very cheap or free. Recently costs have risen even in the European Union, but usually, it is not a dramatic increase.

Bologna University, the oldest in the world.
(image credited to www.wellesley.edu)

Of course in the U.S., education after high school is a private concern, but you’d be surprised to learn that in Europe the idea of one centralized campus is not common. Just look at Cambridge University. They have a more centralized campus than most and it’s more far flung than Ohio State.

The idea of a campus green or a student union is not nearly as common in urbanized Europe. European students who go to U.S. schools also report on the fantastic, even fanatic, school spirit. The sense of tradition and camaraderie these schools have is a selling point for many considering their choice of education.

Courtesy of many, globalism degrees and types across the globe are increasingly standard. One finishes secondary school and then pursues a bachelor’s degree. If the person wishes to continue, a master’s degree is where they will go next. The final level of education in any field is a doctorate. These degrees hold massive weight and are the result of years of study and work. The difference around the globe is how these doctors are treated. If you saw my article on American adjunct professors, you’ll know that while a PhD will hold much academic prestige and laud it may not infer as much salary.

In Europe and around the globe, a great prestige is attached to the title of PhD. In Nordic countries, the candidates are awarded a top hat. In Finland, they receive a sword, in Scotland a pike, and in Ukraine a bulawa (a type of mace). Internationally, these people are recognized as having attained an elevated status. This is reflected in some classrooms in Europe where the professor will literally stand above their students on a raised platform.

Internationally, the U.S. is a bit of an oddball for some of its higher education. There is no end of complaining by students at American universities about having to take classes that “don’t apply to my major.” This broader spectrum of classes is indicative of a crucial difference in how Americans see college.

In the world at large, college is seen as training for a job. Most countries see this similarly and choose curriculum that reflects it. This allows students to graduate sooner. However, in the U.S. we still value college as an education. No one older than my peers has really said anything to me about getting job training at school. Everyone has said “get an education” to me.

It seems strange, but this is the greatest difference between the world at large and the American university system.

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