Is it useful to study abroad in the United States? How to choose?

Is it useful to study abroad in the United States?

What are the advantages of studying abroad in the United States?

Advantage 1 of studying abroad in the United States: A multicultural environment helps students improve their English and understand diverse international cultures

In American middle schools, international students can work together with classmates from English-speaking countries The living and learning environment is more conducive to improving all aspects of English listening, speaking, reading and writing. In addition, the ESL courses set by American high schools are directly arranged by the school for on-campus study, which is different from preparatory schools in British countries. For international students, there is no threshold for entering high school from a language school.

On the other hand, the United States is originally a country of immigrants, and the addition of international students has created a more diverse cultural environment and atmosphere. Studying in high school in the United States, the understanding of multiculturalism acquired through long-term immersion will become a person's lifelong wealth.

Advantage 2 of studying abroad in the United States: It is conducive to cultivating children's independent ability

Studying abroad is a test of children's independence. Children leave their parents and have to solve many things on their own. Independence is a necessary condition for a person to enter society, and it is also the expression and standard of a person's maturity. Whether you choose a boarding school or a day school in the United States, the school's management is very strict and pays special attention to cultivating children's self-management and autonomy. Through full contact and communication with students and families, students can more easily form good behavioral norms and acquire authentic American ways of thinking. The American culture that emphasizes "eating with one's own hands" plays a subtle role in cultivating a child to adapt to the fiercely competitive society in the future.

The third advantage of studying abroad in the United States and high schools: individualized potential development, focusing on cultivating practical spirit

A major feature of American education is personalized education. It is necessary to explore the characteristics of each student and teach them in accordance with their aptitude. The so-called "teaching" here is actually a kind of guidance, allowing students to realize their personal potential and creating opportunities and environments to fully develop and tap this potential. American education pays more attention to cultivating children's practical spirit. They are willing to educate their children in practice, so that the knowledge they master is alive and their potential and imagination can be fully unleashed. Connecting knowledge with the world and being at the forefront of the world are also the principles followed by many American high schools and colleges.

The fourth advantage of studying abroad in the United States: Understand American university education earlier, have a greater chance of entering a world-famous school, and enjoy world-class educational resources

Undergraduate study, for native American students It’s all a challenge. Through the training in high school, Chinese students have a real understanding of teachers' teaching methods and evaluation systems. In particular, they have a good understanding of how Chinese students choose courses under the unfamiliar credit system, and they will be more comfortable entering university. When studying in high schools in the United States, SAT is one of the standards for evaluating high schools. It is very convenient for students to take the SAT exam, and they can directly take AP, IB and other exams. These exams are used by more and more universities to examine whether students have the ability to accept higher education. Curriculum pressure exams. In addition, students’ learning experiences, extracurricular activities, and community activities gained in American high schools are more likely to be evaluated by American universities, and the self-statements and letters of recommendation they submit are also more credible. For students applying to top universities in the United States, each of the above is crucial.

How to choose?

Tip 1: Which type of high school the school belongs to is divided into broad categories. US high schools can be divided into day schools and boarding schools, each with its own shortcomings and advantages.

Boarding American high schools implement fully closed management, and all actions of students are conducted in accordance with school regulations. Students living on campus can participate in various cultural and sports activities more conveniently than in day high schools, and their time is not restricted by transportation. However, the school accommodation environment is relatively closed, and there are few opportunities to interact with the environment outside the campus. Children cannot fully experience American culture. Chinese students are prone to gathering in groups overseas, resulting in a lack of opportunities to improve the richness of their spoken language. But a relatively closed environment can provide double security.

In day-school American high schools, children need to find local host families, live with American families, and become part of the family. In this way, children have the opportunity to experience American family life up close. Using language and communicating every moment is also a good opportunity to integrate into American culture. For young children, in terms of their mental and age, a warm home will reduce their loneliness in the United States. feel. But on the one hand, it is not easy to find a suitable host family, and it requires professional and legal designated agencies to assist. At the same time, living in other people's homes will place certain requirements on children's independence and adaptability. Whether you choose a day school or a boarding school, you must evaluate the child's actual situation and ultimately make the right choice. rather than blindly following the trend.

Tip 2: Tuition fees and other expenses

When the family’s financial conditions are well-off and the child’s study abroad expenses do not affect the family’s daily life, the cost of studying abroad in different schools and regions will not be considered. too much. However, for many middle- and upper-class working-class families, the cost of sending their children to study abroad accounts for a large part of the family's expenses, and the family's financial affordability has become one of the factors that need to be considered when choosing a school.

Tuition fees at different schools in the United States and living expenses in different regions vary greatly. For example, in New York and Boston, where prices are relatively high, tuition and living expenses are relatively high, while in some small towns in the United States, fees are lower. When making the decision to study abroad and choosing a school, parents need to make rational choices and act according to their ability. They should not blindly "just go for the most expensive". They should consider the compatibility of all aspects of the school with their children and the cost-effectiveness, otherwise the gains may outweigh the losses.

Tip 3: The climate conditions of the school’s location

The United States has a vast territory with large regional differences, and the climate conditions in different regions are very different. For example, the southern states of California, Florida, and Texas have relatively warm and comfortable climates, but areas such as Minnesota and Illinois in the Great Lakes region have long and cold winters. When sending young children to study in a strange country, if other conditions are not very different, it is best to choose an area with climate conditions that best suits the children's living habits. This is a factor that must be considered.

Tip 4: Official school data and admission status

Students going to U.S. colleges and universities are actually preparing for future admissions, so you must pay attention to the school’s admissions status, and the history of the school. , school establishment time, school size, teacher-student ratio, international student ratio, past entrance examination results, school honors, etc., these are all reflections of a school’s teaching quality. Parents and students can also start with these.

In addition, you can also consider the school curriculum and other aspects. In short, the evaluation of a school should be three-dimensional and multi-faceted, whether it is suitable for your child and whether it will adapt to the child's future development. This is the hard truth. We must believe that the most suitable school is the best school! ! !