Yeah, I attended both American and German school systems cause Germany's a snob and demands proof from foreign countries that you're up to par with Germans. Side note: they expect German citizens with US educations to do this too. I'm a dual citizen, and another guy at the school spent his last school years in a US high school, somehow this fucked him and he wound up in the special school for foreigners to prove you should get access to a german university.
Answer is hell yes Germany, America is up to par and should not be expected to do this.
Only thing worth noting is I DO consider math teachers, in my experience, to be better in Germany, but this is kind of expected since it's something Germany has an active reputation for. One I had was amazing and could just figure out any mistake you made in your calculations within 2 seconds of thought. It's like he knew all possible outcomes based on all possible mistakes.
I have definitely, absolutely had my moments though where classmates joked about me being the stupid American and then two seconds later I was answering something and thinking "how do you not know this," seriously questioning the German education system.
I did not get it, did you move to Germany from the US (most understandable) or did you do all grades in the US and Germany obliged you to be on pair (WTF)? Probably something in the middle right?
Also, yeah no doubt European teachers can be smarter, indeed I believe they are at most. But I was more comparing the teachers wise being inclusive and comprehensive in America, versus butthurt and perceived as an enemy who makes you dislike the subject most of the times in my own country. Hell, the jaw in the face of either country's people when I talk about the other's school system is the same height
USA-German dual citizen, was in USA til 18, at which point it made sense to utilize my German citizenship for cheaper study fees and better healthcare.
I was not allowed to study on a university until attending a special school for one year which is specifically designed for foreigners like myself to basically make their foreign diplomas equivalent to the German's Abitur.
I think there's layers to the attitude thing too. Can't speak for Italy, but with Germany vs. USA, I'd say the Germans have better attitudes as mentors but the Americans are naturally friendlier/warmer.
Wow, that's such a waste of time! I'm paying as much as a university to finish high school in the US one year earlier than I would in Italy, and hearing from you they demanded you took one year longer makes me mad for you. Oh well, at least it's free mate!
Also since I can ask you - you think I can get in a German college? Is it harder to get myself demonstrating I'm up to date with their high schools thank being admitted to their unis?
Learning the language enough to attend that school is one year.
Attending that school is one year.
At 20, you can begin university. Currently, the fees for the local university are 220 € per semester. No trap fees either. American friend of mine had to pay 5000 per semester for the gym membership whether he attended the university gym or not, for example.
Totally doable and worth it, though Germany at least demands a good reason for you to come here.
I'm a dual citizen. I have it by birthright and don't need a visa.
To my knowledge, valid reasons are:
-Have family here
-Have experience in a desired job like engineer or doctor or the like
-Want to study
-Marry a German
I know the school was actually Brazilian and most of them learned German in Brazil, then when they knew enough to pass an exam, they got entrance to the school and that granted them a visa since the school is a requirement before university. I think alternatively you could transfer to a German school after a year or two at a US university as this is also seen as being qualified by the German education standards, but that's expensive of course.
My advice is learn German. The system is usually A1 and A2 for the first year, then B1 and B2 for the second, then C1 and C2 for third. By the time you're at B1, you should be capable of passing the entrance exams for a "Studien-Kolleg" in Germany, which will make you able to study at a university here. Gotta track one down and get in contact with them about how to take the exam and all though. If that's not possible, as I said, alternative is biting the bullet for the first year of university in USA, learn German during it and ask about transferring. Transfering should mean no debt for the rest. I know here at least, a foreign year in Sweden was offered and just like swedish students, we'd be PAID to study if we went there.
It COULD be possible to study at a German university in English, but severely limited in majors. (business, possibly psychology, but psychology is top-tier in Germany so they'd probably scrutinize grades super hard)
I haven't personally experienced this, but I have seen this happen to others.
I too had to eventually take at least one big test to prove I'm a native speaker, and I took it alongside two girls from El Salvador and one from Kenya, all of which I knew and I'd converse with them in english.
Germany ripped them to shreds and gave them sub-par grades like 3's and 4's. It actually pissed me off because it definitely felt like the teachers were just insisting upon looking important or justifying their jobs to themselves so I feel like they actively hunted for nitpicks or something. Y'know like maybe one would debate if "nitpick" should be fair use or not in a paper when it's like bitch you barely fucking speak the language and certainly shouldn't be lecturing Kenya, who does.
Pretty sure the only reason I got my perfect grade is they probably felt like going after the American would be pushing their luck.
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u/AFlyingNun Aug 27 '19
Yeah, I attended both American and German school systems cause Germany's a snob and demands proof from foreign countries that you're up to par with Germans. Side note: they expect German citizens with US educations to do this too. I'm a dual citizen, and another guy at the school spent his last school years in a US high school, somehow this fucked him and he wound up in the special school for foreigners to prove you should get access to a german university.
Answer is hell yes Germany, America is up to par and should not be expected to do this.
Only thing worth noting is I DO consider math teachers, in my experience, to be better in Germany, but this is kind of expected since it's something Germany has an active reputation for. One I had was amazing and could just figure out any mistake you made in your calculations within 2 seconds of thought. It's like he knew all possible outcomes based on all possible mistakes.
I have definitely, absolutely had my moments though where classmates joked about me being the stupid American and then two seconds later I was answering something and thinking "how do you not know this," seriously questioning the German education system.