2. INTERNATIONAL UNITED STATES COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Did you know?
•The United States has seventy-seven international campuses, which is the largest number in the world. Other top exporters of international campuses include the United Kingdom (thirty-eight), France (twenty-eight), Russia (twenty-one), and Australia (fourteen).
•China and the United Arab Emirates host the largest numbers of international campuses with thirty-two each. Other top importers of international campuses include Singapore (twelve), Malaysia (twelve), and Qatar (eleven).
•In total, there are thirty-four countries that together host 250 international campuses.
•As the Cross-Border Education Research Team’s data shows, international campuses are frequently opening and frequently closing! On the one hand, there might be a new international campus opening soon in your country. On the other hand, make sure the university you are thinking of attending is still accepting students and that it’s not closed!
A degree from a United States college or university is a powerful thing. You can take that degree anywhere in the world and use it to introduce yourself. Graduating from a United States college or university requires certain personal and professional characteristics. These characteristics include being persistent, creative, flexible, goal-driven, independent, analytical, and more. Everyone knows from Hollywood films that students at United States colleges and universities love to party and have a good time. However, when assignments and exams get serious, these students also know how to work hard and get things done. United States middle school and high school courses might not compare well to the effective educational programs in other countries. Nevertheless, graduating from a United States college or university is no easy task; it’s a major accomplishment.
If you don’t live in the United States, leaving your home and family to go study abroad might be a scary thought for several reasons. You might be worried about the crime rate in the United States and the acts of terrorism carried out by armed gunmen. Your family might not be able to afford the high cost of tuition and living expenses. You might not want to leave your family, your friends, and your environment for that long of a time. In any of these cases, you could consider studying at a United States college or university located in a country closer to yours or even in your home country. According to the Cross-Border Education Research Team, colleges and universities from the United States have campuses in Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Croatia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. With campuses across the world, find one closer to home if that makes the decision easier.
If you’re a United States college student who wants to study in another country, international campuses might also be a good choice for you. Some students are concerned about the quality of education or the name recognition of foreign universities and would be more comfortable studying at a familiar United States university. If you would like to travel abroad and gain life experience but also work toward completing your degree from a United States university, consider enrolling in an international campus, such as Temple University’s Japan campus where I work. Some institutional bridges span wide distances. Dare to cross into new territories? (See? The metaphor kind of works).
Self-Reflection/Discussion Questions:
1.What is your impression of United States colleges and universities? What gave you this image?
2.What preparation do you need to do to be accepted to a United States college or university?
3.What is the biggest thing stopping you from studying at a United States college or university? Is this something you can change/overcome? If so, how?
4.Do you think graduating from a United States college or university would offer something different from graduating from a university in your home country? Why or why not?
5.Do you have a dream United States college or university? If so, which one and why?