Student Times

OK kids I’m older than the average bear…quite a relevant pun as I am technically the oldest student athlete at NYIT and we are called the ‘bears’. I have studied in other countries and cities in the world and enjoyed all of them very much. Here I’m going to use that experience to compare being a student in America to being a student in England.

The first difference I managed to overcome with sheer genius is for many people the first thought…the legal drinking age…so hold your horses’ boys and girls, I was legal in England and I’m legal here. So I have been able to drink and party legally in all of my five years of higher education…yes I already said it ‘genius’.

Let’s move to the comparaisons…

The education level

My bachelor degree in England was obviously a lot more time-consuming than my masters degree here in America. I only have 9 hours per week of class time here and I had around 12 hours per week in England…each demanded around the same out of class studying…although sometimes here I spend more time studying for know reason…yes, I’m slowly becoming a virgin again. The thing that stands out for me is that in England I had to try very hard to be an average student where as here my effort levels are similar but I’m averageing a 3.8 GPA…Although I can’t say how a masters is in England my first point is that the education level here seems to be lower. Many international students have agreed with me on this.

College Athletics

Well…here’s where you get your point back. I’ve been on the men’s soccer team at both of my universities. For one, the facilities here are amazing and the average college gym here is like Globo Gym from the movie Dodgeball compared to the Average Joe’s gyms at British universities. Although the UK does have a few excellent athletic institutions it really is a few and they don’t compare! Due to the college sports here being the main route into professionalism the seriousness and standard is better here. Not necessarily in soccer as it’s still a growing sport. My team in England was very good as is my team here. The main difference is that in the UK the sports teams almost make partying every week a requirement where as NCAA rules and the level of professionalism within athletics here it is completely different. Something I enjoy as I’ve experienced the other side, and although it was a lot of fun I didn’t get to where I could potentially be in soccer because of it. I like the seriousness of college sports here and it is why the USA always dominates in the Olympics. Real athletes are groomed here where as in the UK you either choose to pay pro from 16 or 18 or you go to university. Many pro athletes from Europe don’t have an education to fall back on.

Cost

Again my situation here is a little different as I receive athletic scholarship, but I do know how much each college costs. Here at NYIT it is incredibly expensive, I can’t believe how expensive it is actually! People pay more in one year here than I did in my three years in England…and that includes my rent in England. I owe the British student loans company in US dollars approximately $19,000…that paid for everything! The dorms alone at NYIT cost around $11,000 per year.

Student Life

There is a big difference in this as students in England can drink legally and go to clubs and bars. Here they aren’t legally allowed to do that until almost three years of college have passed so that is why there are so many house parties, something America is famous for…thanks to American Pie! So it is strange for me to go from being able to drink all day everyday (not that I did) on campus in the campus bar to being around only 20% of people who are legally allowed to drink. Very different but again, both have their pros and cons. It is also a lot more common in England to move away from your home to university. Very rarely will someone commute, this I think is important because you need to grow up quicker as your away from your family for a long time.

I guess as I write this blog I’m learning a lot. In England I went to university to get my education, become a man and have a lot of fun. Drink on many occasions like a fish and go crazy whilst making life long friends. I did just that. Here I am studying to get my masters degree but also to become the best athlete that I can be, along with making life long friends and having an amazing time whilst setting up a career for myself…I’m also doing that.

To compare the two fairly is possible as there are some very obvious obstacles which will naturally lead to each being very different.

So my advice is this…If you want to pursue sports and reach a better level whilst gaining an education and enjoy house parties and a different culture come to america, but don’t expect it to be cheap. If you want to drink your way to an education, whilst ‘enjoying’ without any regard for sporting achievement go to England and save some money.

Both of my college experiences have been very different. Each has been amazing in very different ways. I can’t say that either one was better than the other because they both represent something so different. What I can say is that college life anywhere helps you grow as a person. You get an education; you experience new things, become an adult and meet new people. Yes, mistakes will be made; you should embrace those mistakes and learn from them. It will cost you money, but it should also give you an advantage when it comes to earning it. Work hard and play hard is a good motto to follow, you will enjoy the student life.