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5
Myths of studying in America
American
students think every African walks around barefoot, cooks
food over a campfire, and carries all necessary items on his
or her head. They think Australians surf incessantly and play
regularly with kangaroos. Russia is still a land of danger,
and the French live only for bread and love.
 These
are examples of the stereotypes or perceptions American students
often have of various countries around the globe. If American
students believe these fallacies based on the limited exposure
they have had to outside countries, how much more will international
students have misconceptions about the U.S., a country they
are exposed to everyday through television, magazines, movies,
athletics, and music? It is essential, therefore, to break
these stereotypes and paint a new picture- a realistic picture-
of life in the United States.
“No,
you will not see Tom Cruise while shopping in a mall.”
“No,
your car will not be hijacked just because you study in LA
or New York.”
“No,
American students do not party all the time, nor are they
all wealthy and in the social elite.”
These
are just some of the many answers university representatives
give to inquiring international students. The questions are
a great source of amusement but also cause frustration in
the battle against stereotypes. In an effort to quash some
myths, here are the five most common stereotypes regarding
college education in the United States.
Myth
#1: American Students are not as academically driven in comparison
to other nations.
There
are more than 3,000 universities in the United States, each
with varying admission standards. Some are highly selective,
some not at all. The less selective colleges may consist of
students who have little concern for their academic well being,
but in the more selective colleges you will find very committed
students who will spend countless hours a night on their homework.
There is a phrase in the United States called an “all
nighter” which is used when a student stays up all night
to perfect an assignment. American students love keeping count
of how many “all nighters” they have “pulled”
in the course of their academic career. It soon becomes evident
that education is not taken lightly in the United States.
In truth, it is an issue of pride. Which college you select
in the U.S. will be the primary factor for what academic climate
you will find.
Myth
#2: American Students party all night and day.
The
college life portrayed in movies such as “Animal House”
is very much a stereotype. While American students do enjoy
the freedom to explore a full extra-curricular lifestyle,
they are also expected to keep up with very high standards
of social behavior and academic excellence. Most student-sponsored
organizations (including fraternities and sororities) participate
in more temperate activities that range from gathering at
coffee houses to service projects to weekend ski trips. International
students often join clubs or organizations where they can
become involved in exciting programs both on and off campus,
without encountering the stereotypical rowdy events.
Myth
#3: American students are all rich and can afford a college
education
Although
a certain percentage of American college students do come
from wealthy families and have large expendable incomes, most
American college students come from moderate-income families.
At some universities, up to 80% of the student body receives
some form of financial aid from the University and other sources.
Most American students enter college knowing they must apply
for loans, work part-time, and earn scholarships in order
to meet their financial obligations.
Myth
#4: Most Americans (and college students) live in large cities
which are crime-ridden with drugs and drive-by shootings.
Of
all industrialized nations, the United States has one of the
lowest crime rates. College campuses are no exception. Safety
is of primary importance to all students, parents, and staff
at a university. Universities centered in major cities have
endless services to ensure the safety of all students, from
campus transportation services to on-campus police officers.
The majority of universities located outside of the city are
extremely safe, and various precautions are made based on
their demographic situation.
Myth
#5: I have relatives in New York, so I want to stay with them
and commute to Boston for my classes
Many
overseas students are surprised to learn about the great distances
that exist between cities in our country as well as the mere
size of our nation as a whole. For example: if you were to
drive 100 km/hour, it would take you 5 days to travel from
Los Angeles to New York. Even covering distances within a
large city can be a challenge. A commute to campus of more
than 30 km would not be recommended for any student, American
or international. Students should question the universities
they will be attending regarding distances to typical services
within the communities. A school visit before a decision is
made is recommended.
Hopefully,
the previous paragraphs have dispelled some of the myths that
many international students have about college life in the
United States. If you have had any of the above stereotypes
this will serve as a reminder to you to “research before
you react.” Just as Americans hold outrageous perceptions
of the outside world, you too may need to check your assumptions
about the U.S.
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