Quote:
Originally Posted by pbobeer
I am moving to NZ at the end of this month and i will be attending the University of Auckland.
I am wandering why it takes me three years there to complete the same program that i can do in two years here in the states? I don't really care how long it takes, i was just wandering about the overall standards and such that they hold you to, how do they compare to that of the US? Imo the education systems in the US (California in particular) are a joke. Sure they are among the best, but honestly i can auto pilot a B avg. here.
If anyone can give me more insight that has experienced both that would be helpful.
Usually 3-year programs in the English system are analogous to 4-year programs in the American and Scottish (on which the US system is based) systems. The reason for this is that the English system tends to downplay the requirement of general education and focuses much more intensely on a single subject of study--some people love this, some hate it, so it depends on your preference (personally, as an undergrad, I much preferred the US/Scot system). The result is that the average university graduate from the English system generally has a level of knowledge in a single subject more akin to someone with an MA from the US, but generally a lesser level of breadth in their education.
And if you think universities in CA are a joke, you will probably be in a for rude awakening/disappointment pretty much anywhere else you go. Some people can auto-pilot through undergrad. That's kind of a nice talent to have. Take more challenging classes?
