American vs British Universities

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Education was learning about Europe to 'prove' superiority.

Generalization: American colleges are more practical than British universities. Meaning? In the U.S. students are taught how to turn knowledge into making money, in earning a living, while British universities concentrate on turning the African, Anishinaabe, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese and indigenous Australian kids into, little Prince William and Prince Harry.

My whole world revolved around English. I was a perfect example of cancel culture called colonization. That is why I was in England for a degree in law and politics. But I got confused when I met African students who spoke French. They were from countries like Senegal and Haute Volta, which were colonized by France. That is how I got to know about universities like the Sorbonne in France. So what were they doing in England? To polish their English because English controls all systems of making money. Their destination? America. They wanted to be fluent in English and take the next flight to New York as soon as they got their visas.

Sue, a friend of mine from Hong Kong left our British university and flew to New York for her graduate studies. When she got there, she told me about a university that was good in journalism. Columbia. I applied and was accepted. I couldn’t believe it that a college could have a complete radio station. Incredible. Theory was turned into real life by sending students to the streets of New York. We came back and filed stories like real journalists. I’m mentioning this as one example of how American colleges work. This is the knowledge, turn it into something tangible.

American Colleges and Sports

I’m ashamed to admit that in the true ‘British tradition’ we used to look down upon American colleges for their sports programs. How can you go to a higher institution to play football or basketball? We didn’t know anything about the NBA, NFL or Super Bowl meant. Today, we know.

American colleges prepare students for fame and fortune. Have you ever seen a chemistry professor on a popular magazine? Never. They are not important. They are starving somewhere in ancient castles in England, mouthing words like salacious and serendipity.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Executive Blogger

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