While for some studying in the U.S. is a dream come true, for others it’s an unwise decision. The American educational system for high-schoolers is not the brightest, according to many sources. In fact, secondary level Americans lack excellent academic achievement and perform worse, on average, than most students worldwide.
Of course, this happens at the high-school level. When we’re looking at high-ed, most American colleges do not only provide excellent resources and staff but also high-quality equipment and the latest classroom technology.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to studying in the US in high-school. If you’re not sure what you should do, check out this list and draw a conclusion based on the arguments at-hand.
The Pros of Attending American High-School
Check out the pros of attending American high-school and learn how it can change your life. Let us know if you’ve got questions.
It’s diverse. The best part of attending American high-school is the cultural exchange experience. The US is so diverse! It can not only introduce you to a different lifestyle but can also help you get a taste of new foods, music, habits, etc. You’ll get acquainted to “being American” quite quickly.
It’s friendly. The next coolest thing about the US is that you can make friends easily. Sure, these friends are not going to be the closest at first, but in time they might become your new best friends. You’ll have a diverse range of friends to hang out with!
It’s new. I’m sure you already know some English, so what better way to perfect it than by living in the United States? The best way to practice a new language is by speaking it constantly with natives, and this is exactly what you’ll do.
It’s exciting. Just because you’re there for high-school or college, doesn’t mean that you won’t have time to visit. You’ll get weekends off and with that, the ability to explore a whole new world.
It’s flexible. The American educational system differs from others around the world. Here, you can experiment with classes and truly follow your passion. You’ve got one or two academic years to decide on a major, which is genius if you don’t know what you want to study yet. You’ll get the chance to explore.
It’s widely recognized. Your high-school/college diploma will be recognized worldwide, so you don’t have to worry about equating your degree.
The Cons of Pursuing Secondary Education in the US
And we’re down to the cons of attending American high-school and what that could mean for you.
Tuition, tuition, tuition. Tuition is extremely expensive for international students, so you might be looking at thousands of dollars each year. This could be a bummer. However, you’ve got the opportunity to apply for hundreds of scholarships.
A complicated admissions process. A lengthy admissions process to get into both high-school and college. It takes time, commitment, and determination.
Healthcare & co. There are no social benefits for international students, not really. You’ve got to pay for everything from an SSN (Social Security Number) to healthcare, accommodation, etc.
Homesickness. The truth is, you’ll be homesick a lot! This is natural. But you can distract yourself from feeling this way by engaging in cool activities and making new friends. Plus, you can Skype or Facetime your family whenever.
Other expenses. You’ll have to support the costs of traveling, living, studying, etc. This could mean $30-40,000 each year.
Where To Get Inspiration for Study
By studying in the US from a young age, you’ll get access to increased college opportunities once you graduate. That being said, you’ll be able to apply to any university of your choice. Once you’ve applied, you might get into your favorite school. To do that, you’ll need a good GPA and an excellent college admissions essay. Check out free essay samples provided by students to get a better understanding of the required content. By navigating through their free essay example database, you might find the inspiration that you need in order to develop an outstanding personal essay. All you have to do is type in your topic and start reading any free essay sample of your choice. Sometimes, all we need is a little bit of inspiration.
Wrapping Up
In the end, it’s up to you. We’ve given you the pros and cons of studying in the US at high-school level, now it’s your turn to draw conclusions. On one hand, you could be part of a more diverse environment, make new (cool) friends, perfect your English, and travel; on the other hand, the cost of education in the US is high and you might be experiencing homesickness. Make a choice that you won’t regret!
Author Bio:
Cory Shilling is a reporter and content creator. She writes blogs for business magazines and creates content that sells. In her free time, Cory works at an animal shelter and plays ping-pong.
