TOP FIVE DESTINATIONS
EDUCATION IN ITALY
Education in Italy is free and mandatory
from ages six to sixteen,and consists of five stages: kindergarten (scuola
dell'infanzia), primary school (scuola primaria), lower secondary school (scuola
secondaria di primo grado), upper secondary school (scuola
secondaria di secondo grado) and university (università).
Primary education lasts eight years. The
students are given a basic education in Italian, English, mathematics, natural
sciences, history, geography, social studies, physical education and visual and
musical arts. Secondary education lasts for five years and includes three
traditional types of schools focused on different academic levels: the liceo prepares
students for university studies with a classical or scientific curriculum,
while the istituto tecnico
and the Istituto professionale
prepare pupils for vocational education. In 2012, the Italian secondary
education has been evalued as slightly below the OECD
average, with a strong and steady improvement in science and mathematics
results since 2003; however, a wide gap exists between northern schools, which performed significantly better than
the national average (among the best in the world in some subjects), and
schools in the South, that had much
poorer results.
Tertiary education in
Italy is divided between public universities,
private universities and the prestigious and selective superior
graduate schools, such as the Scuola Normale Superiore di
Pisa. The university system in Italy is generally regarded as poor
for a world cultural powerhouse, with no universities ranked among the 100
world best and only 20 among the top 500.However, the current government has scheduled
major reforms and investments in order to improve the overall
internationalisation and quality of the system.
Bologna University is the
oldest academic institution of the world, founded in AD 1088.
EDUCATION IN SPAIN
Education in Spain is regulated by
the Ley Orgánica de Educación (LOE, Organic Law of Education)
that expands upon Article 27 of the Spanish Constitution of 1978.Education is compulsory and free for all children
aged between 6 and 16 years, and is supported by the national government together
with the governments of each of the country's 17 autonomous communities.
Spain
boasts historic festivals, siestas, and flamenco dancers. And a lot more than
just the stereotypical stuff; there’s also great hikes all over the country,
fabulous beaches for all beach variety types, and an endless variety of jamón
serrano. Each year thousands of students journey to Spain to learn Spanish
(duh!) and to take classes in international business, European studies, and more.
Pros: The diversity of programs guarantees housing and
classroom conditions right up your personal alley. The demographic of study
abroad students will be very diverse- but if you just wanna kick back with the
locals over a glass of sangria, no worries. The people of this country
love nothing more than to chat, share food, and soak up the sun.
Cons: Spain is so popular among US students that it’s
sometimes hard to immerse in the local culture. Students need to be intentional
about going off the beaten path and outside their comfort zones; go for some tapas
with locals, take day trips to little villages, and get to know your community.
EDUCATION IN ENGLAND
EDUCATION IN ENGLAND
Not sure if it's England’s historical ties with so many parts of the world… or David Beckham’s profile…or the quirky jargon…or Harry Potter’s castle…but for some reason, students just love studying abroad in this country.
Pros: Ideal for students who’ve never been out of the country,
England offers a more subtle foray into the world of cultural differences.
English is spoken everywhere (even if there are local dialects you can pick up
if you’re up for the challenge!) and finding your favorite brands from back
home probably won’t be an issue here.
Cons: It might be just a bit too “easy” for students seeking a
dramatically different cultural experience. Also, the UK is expensive; there’s
no getting around that. If cost is a concern, students should look for programs
outside of London for more affordable options.
Particularly
Awesome Programs:
From the dazzling city
lights and sights of Paris to the coastal sun and fun of the French Riviera,
students love the romanticism of France. That’s not even getting into the fashion statements or culinary adventures. La vie en rose.
Pros: Programs are available in such diverse
locations as cosmopolitan Paris or medieval Avignon, with options in either French or English. You can
choose for yourself how challenging the next semester is going to be. We
already mentioned the fancy foods and lyricism of the language, right?
Cons: Even if you chose to enroll in a program
taught in English, some prior French language study is highly recommended,
especially if you are living outside of the main centers. Be aware that
occasional union protests can shut the country down. But hey, it’s all part of
the experience.
Particularly Awesome Programs:
- Esmod Paris
- Academic Studies Abroad
EDUCATION IN GERMANY
Maybe because Germany is
home to the world famous Oktoberfest and the Neuschwanstein Castle (Disney’s
inspiration), but there’s no denying that students are drawn to the many
pleasures of German culture and its world-class education.
Pros: This is a great place to study business, hard sciences, and German (natürlich). It’s also a great place for academic internships, with headquarters of some of the
world’s biggest companies and dedication to innovation. Inside and outside of
the classroom, efficiency is high, so there’s no need to waste time with
bureaucratic inconveniences.
Cons: Some prior German study is recommended,
though many programs offer a combination of German language and courses taught
in English. The best of both worlds!
Particularly Awesome Programs:
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