Ustwo

Oh bubble bursting time incoming.

I used to think this too, until I met my research mentor. He was European (I'm not going to get too specific due to privacy issues) with a PhD in physics and another in mechanical engineering. He also had a D.D.S. degree, and played first violin for a symphony, among other 'hobbies'. He is perhaps the most intelligent and educated man I've met and I spent 12 years of my life in a University setting so thats saying quite a bit. He is also just a GREAT guy. I think he spoke 7 languages as well, but I can't say I tested that.

We used to have long pointless chats while I was working for him, and one of the things that came up with the US education system. I was pretty down on it. He laughed and said that while at the basic grades the US system in inferior once you get the the University system it blows the European model out of the water. His opinion, and his is an opinion I value above any others, was that the Universities of the US more than make up for the lacking primary education system and that the European system was inferior. The way classes are structured and the lack of serious penalty for failing was a big part of this.

Now at the time I only had his word for it, but as I ran into more and more European graduates and spoke with those in the system, I had to agree. I came to see the value in a liberal arts education over the more focused European model where people often knew almost nothing that was directly focused in their disciplines. I'm so biased at this point I look at a European PhD as having as much value as a basic US B.S. degree. Most can't poor piss out of a boot as the saying goes.

Now I don't know the Australian model but if its anything like the European one, then I can't say I give it any value over the US model.

This being said, this only applies to those who strive to get the best out of the systems. The 'average' US graduate is nothing special, nor is the average European graduate, its waterybeer/sex vrs tothickbeer/sex. At the level I was at though, I was anything but impressed.

Now I know your 'perception' may be that the US system is a joke, hell most Mideasterners I know think of the 'best' medical educations coming from England, and oh god, they couldn't be more wrong theses days.

Now for something more fun....

Nursing students..




Cons:
Will always be pissed off, at doctors and/or patients, this will trail into being with you.
Will have crappy hours.

Pros:
Will be into freaky sexy by 30 (TRUST me on this one and no Mrs. Ustwo isn't a nurse)
Dealing with sick people all day makes them more realistic and less self centered then the average person.

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