In Europe, tax levels are very high. And every individual is interested to know where their money goes, as they would like to see some benefit for them. So, like it or not, the opinion expressed by these gentlemen is representative of what you would have for answer if you discussed the subject with people back there.
Carpe Diem,
Yes I do know that taxes are very high especially in Scandinavia. Still I have not seen that much hostility towards foreign students as I have seen in this particular thread. In fact I had a great time in Finland and most of the Finns I've met were very welcoming. Of course there are some bad apples but never expected to see it coming from people like Eric and Vaucluse.
May I turn this around and say that we spend much more money than locals for the Singaporean economy, that our presence here furthers the cause of international relations . . . Yes, I could use the same arguments as you for students - but we bring employment as the companies we work for have far more local employees than expats - which is logical.
Vaucluse,
If you could use that argument, I don’t see how others can’t.
I refuse to accept this turning into a local versus expat discussion. It started off being a good exchange of opinion but is being dragged down by the usual ill-informed and, frankly, stupid, anonymous posters.
It started getting nasty the minute you find comments like this:
one of my Universities in Sydney was cram-packed full of foreign students, though I fail to see how they contributed to any intelectual discourse above and beyond what was there anyway.
Man….get down off your high horse.
As you can read, I just said what was being said by another 'guest' here. I didnot genralize anywhere, I just summarized. I didnot refer to you being Singaporean, like you said: It doesnot even matter.
Seriously Eric, you’ve got a gift for summarizing other people’s comments.
One would expect at least you would show a bit more gratitude and awareness, respect and gratefulness, instead of gloryfying a person like mysticalx.
*nasty comment alert* And exactly what kind of person am I?
About the 'investment', you like to think of it that way probably, but this is not the investment I was referring to: you as a young person investing in a future by getting the best education possible. And paying for that investment, as all locals in those respective countries pay for their investments in a good future.
Again, this is all because of the fact that you emphasized on the importance and availability of 'free' education. And there's followers who cheer you for bringing this under their attention. So be it, but vaucluse and myself are just holding mirrors here, as there is no such thing as free education. The locals in the respective countries pay for it.
Up to you to ignore this or trying to bend it your way.
I’m merely stating facts here. It is true that it is free (and why shouldn’t people know about it?) and I definitely encourage people to study in Scandinavia/Europe, simply for the experience. You know, there are many parents out there who work very hard to give their kids the best education possible. There’s often this mindset that you’d find the best education for your child in the US, the UK or the few other English-speaking countries. Many are not aware of better opportunities available.
In fact they don’t even need me to tell them that it’s free. Just look at the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) website.
http://ic.daad.de/singapore/study.html
There are also a number of other compelling reasons why Germany should become the country of your choice for both studying and research:
The moderate cost of living and studying in Germany. Tuition fees at public universities have been waived by the German government, save for selected postgraduate courses. This applies to German and international students alike, since higher education in Germany is subject to the principle of equal opportunity, which means that everyone regardless of their socioeconomic background, nationality, sex or religion should be able to afford a university education. Only a small administrative fee (between S $ 50 and S $ 300 per semester) is payable. In essence, that means the German taxpayer is footing the bill for everyone’s university studies. However, this tuition fee waiver does not apply to the few private higher education institutions. Living expenses amount to around EUR 650 to 750 (~ S $ 1300 to 1500) per month.
So please tell me, why would the German government actually highlight this point?
What irritates me in this discussion is the fact that deny this truth and you are taking all for granted.
I wonder who’s the one denying the truth?!!?!?! I have already explained to you as to why these governments choose to waive the tuition fees. Besides, NOT ALL who applied will be accepted. I mean, if you’re good and you know there’s an opportunity out there whereby you can get the best education possible without being a burden to your family, wouldn’t you go for it? It’s not like these governments are taking in loads of foreign students. There is after all a QUOTA!
When another country (or anybody else for that matter) offers you something for free, we should be grateful, not see it as something we are entitled to. And when they withdraw this freebie, we have no right to berate them. To attack someone for not giving you something for free is almost like robbing them. I'm just as disappointed as some of the other posters at the lack of maturity shown here.
Locallass,
Perhaps you need some reading glasses. NO ONE ever demanded for free education. It is these governments that are kind enough to offer places in their universities to non-EU citizens. And we are simply passing along this piece of information so that those who are deserving will benefit from it. If you must know, there are many students coming from less developed countries who are brilliant in their studies but lack the opportunity to take it one step further.
Anyway I’m outta here as it’s hard having a discussion with someone who can only harp on the same point over and over again and I also don’t wish to be labeled as some spoilt brat with a big mouth and no brains by some smart ass poster. (You know who you are)
