Schutz Seniors Are Doubting Egyptian Education
Heba El Sahn
College applications deadlines are closing in on Schutz seniors from every side. The seniors are hurrying up and doing their best to send the requirements on time. It is interesting, however, to notice how nine out of thirteen seniors are considering colleges abroad. The other four students are not applying out of Egypt mostly because their parents are not supportive of the idea; but if given the chance, they say, they would rather pursue their education outside their home country. This raises the question of whether Schutz truly empowers the students to pursue the best education they can get, or does it make the students simply feel doubtful of Egypt’s educational system?
It goes without question that the United States contains some of the best universities in the world, but when a senior considers going to a college over there, he or she needs also to consider what is being left behind. The students’ families, their main support system, will be at an extremely long distance from them. They will also have to leave their childhood friends behind. This can play a crucial factor in their academic and social lives. These students might face a decrease in their grades. They may also suffer home sickness and depression.
It is very exciting to imagine living as an independent student. It is equally as formidable to speculate how one will manage one’s life completely solo. There will come a time when even the most fearless student will have a moment doubting his own decision-making and wonder: was it all worth it?
The main motive that pushed most of these students to go after their education in a foreign country is because they believe that there are no good colleges in Egypt. This belief is in many ways inaccurate. The former UN Secretary General Boutros-Boutros Ghali graduated from the University of Cairo. The Nobel-prize winner Ahmad Zewail spent his college years in the University of Alexandria. Also, the renowned American University in Cairo has among its alumni Egypt’s first Lady, Suzanne Mubarak and Queen Rania of Jordan. All of these highly respectable people were educated in our institutions, on Egyptian soil, so are there really no good colleges in Egypt?
A student needs to reconsider his or her options. Schutz seniors should not automatically scratch off all possibilities of learning in Egypt. The choice of a college should be based on the quality of education and personal goals and capabilities. Students should not cosider applying to a college to imitate someone else; they should rather follow their own aspirations. In the meantine, they need to be realistic about their abilities to meeting challenges. So, a piece of advice to all students: keep your options open.
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