All About Overseas Education
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lee_yl\" post_id=\"2114892\" time=\"1690550045\" user_id=\"17023:
Well said... Haha.. I enjoyed most, the folly of brexit.... Haha
Go UK because no language barrier unlike Japan, Germany or France. Law or Medicine degrees obtained there still relevant here as we have the common law system and many of the UK universities’ medical degrees are recognized here.
Objectively speaking, working in UK is definitely less attractive nowadays as compared to 20 years ago no thanks to a depreciating pound (the folly of Brexit) and a less than bright economic outlook (the folly of Brexit again). -
Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"2114887\" time=\"1690543085\" user_id=\"48901:
Just curious, by university towns, u mean those that have no shopping malls/city amenities nearby? (Cambridge and the likes…?) I agree those are quite difficult to adapt to for city folk.
From my own experience/considerations for kids:
- Canada - DD was there for internship, am not keen cos of distance and personality fit
- Germany - explored but not follow through cos did not have the course wanted
- France - did summer school \"online\" during lockdown
- Australia - 娇情 weather too hot
- New Zealand - personality fit
University towns not so suitable for us, hence the exclusion of some universities. Personality fit important, know and heard of kids pre-terminating studies as they cannot adapt.
On the other hand, i did not like city campuses at all (like SMU, LSE, UTS…) cos theyre just buildings after buildings.
The in-between are suburban campuses that are near enough to amenities and direct public tpt to the city centre for shopping malls. Eg UNSW, UQ in Brisbane, Unimelb.
I used to visit various universities’ campuses when on family holidays growing up (dad was an academic). I do suggest ksps next time go leisure holiday can check out the university campus as well, no harm at all. Taiwan, Japan, all got good unis to consider. -
Suspect DD was bordering into depression when in uni town, it is really difficult.
For us, think it is the pace and energy of city living that sustain us and being away from the stressors is actually stressful.
Another consideration is the economic depth and breathth of the country, eg number of MNCs/brand name employers and internship/work opportunities that are available. Based on the experience of some of the kids who stayed on, am not sure if the same would have been available otherwise. Of course, there are some who chose to give up "good" offers. -
Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"2114900\" time=\"1690557904\" user_id=\"48901:
Each person's experience differs, depending on personality, preferences, etc. My daughter chose a university town because she doesn't like big cities! She didn't even include a \"big city\" university on her list of choices initially, but we persuaded her to put 1 London one, just in case she changed her mind! She loved her time in a university town where everything is within reach, and it's less busy and crowded (of course, she didn't know that it would even more quiet during Covid!). The students made their own fun, and many made regular trips to London (not my daughter, though).
Suspect DD was bordering into depression when in uni town, it is really difficult.
For us, think it is the pace and energy of city living that sustain us and being away from the stressors is actually stressful.
Another consideration is the economic depth and breathth of the country, eg number of MNCs/brand name employers and internship/work opportunities that are available. Based on the experience of some of the kids who stayed on, am not sure if the same would have been available otherwise. Of course, there are some who chose to give up \"good\" offers.
Not all students who study overseas intend to work there. My daughter barely considered working in the UK even though Covid had more or less ended by then, and decided to return to Singapore. I expect she would have had some offers if she had applied, but she only applied to a very few jobs, all in Singapore, and hasn't regretted returning to Singapore. We did encourage her to think about working overseas for a while, but I was happy to have her home anyway. I expect she will work overseas at some point in the future. -
Study overseas , work there and if kid meet esp a local there, get married have kids and settle down there… we will see our kid very little then. I think I will be like slmkhoo, will be happy to have kid home.
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MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2114916\" time=\"1690593244\" user_id=\"43981:
If you allow your child to study overseas, you have to accept that this could happen and they settle overseas. Even if they meet another Singaporean, they both might decide to live overseas! If you really can't accept that, you shouldn't let them go overseas. Not that they can't meet someone here and decide to live overseas, but the risk is higher if they study overseas. My grandmother was so afriad of that happening that she offered me all sorts of inducements (bribes!) not to study overseas - but I went anyway. She was so happy when she saw my then-boyfriend (now husband) who checked all the right boxes for her. We also accepted that we couldn't necessarily expect my daughter to decide to come back to Singapore. Even if you make sure they take a scholarship and have to return to serve a bond, after the 6 years, some will go overseas anyway. My husband served his bond and then we spent nearly 20 yrs overseas.
Study overseas , work there and if kid meet esp a local there, get married have kids and settle down there... we will see our kid very little then. I think I will be like slmkhoo, will be happy to have kid home. -
I think we have to be fully prepared that our kids may live overseas for extended periods, or even migrate overseas. It is a reality of a globalized world. More than one quarter of marriages registered in Singapore comprise a Singapore with a non-Singaporean spouse. Many Singaporeans will have to spend a work stint overseas if they work for an MNC or a company with regional dealings. Even among local university graduates, I know of many who are actively pursuing a work stint overseas.
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Imp75\" post_id=\"2114885\" time=\"1690540913\" user_id=\"2358:
Broadly speaking, the level of international diversity in universities in Japan, Germany, Spain, France, will not be at the same level as that of US, UK, Canada which are more 'melting pot'. In those countries, to mix with the locals, there is a significant language barrier, so it may be 'harder'.
Would love some discussions about Japan, Germany, Spain, France as well for those who’s taking 3rd language.
University education is free or nearly free in Germany. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2114921\" time=\"1690594398\" user_id=\"13281:
Yes understood Germany uni is free even for foreigners, maybe that’s why some took it for third lang. My girl is v sure she’s going to try for Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto university after A. I know the Japan uni rankings are not high but if she’s really interested, I won’t stop her. Just not sure if there’s a local job market back for her or she’s gonna stay there forever which is not great for work/life balance. Surprisingly Japan public universities (those I mentioned) are cheaper than local uni even for foreigners but foreigners hv to spend foundation year learning Jap even though they are proficient.
Broadly speaking, the level of international diversity in universities in Japan, Germany, Spain, France, will not be at the same level as that of US, UK, Canada which are more 'melting pot'. In those countries, to mix with the locals, there is a significant language barrier, so it may be 'harder'.
University education is free or nearly free in Germany. -
I think it's great to learn and use a foreign language as you can minimally become a translator when worlds collide
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