A French perspective on American Education

During any discussion about the U.S., the French are easily prompted to exhibit their anti-Americanism. Still, they bow always before one thing: the outstanding Ivy League universities. This awe goes beyond naive admiration towards the opulence of the libraries, the sport facilities, and the unmatched concentration of eminent professors. To many observers, including exchange students like me, the manner in which studies are managed reflects an underlying vision of education. This vision finds its …

…system is very welcoming to diversity and seeks to attract heterogeneous students. To conclude this parallel, we may say that much more than the French, the American universities are faithful to the heritage of the Renaissance. By that time, well-educated people were above all those who had a sound body and an eclectic mind. They balanced their time between sport activities, classics studies, humanities, and sciences-not too far from daily life in U of C.