MACEE - Shedding Light on American Education
It is a fact that Malaysians tend to gravitate towards the United Kingdom for further studies instead of other countries like America. Every year, throngs of Malaysian students look to the United Kingdom for further studies without considering other options. Ingenuous people will most likely “go with the flow” and follow whatever the majority rules over.
The concept “Monkey see, monkey do” subconsciously rules over our minds and as a result, many eradicate any thoughts of pursuing further education elsewhere. However, as long as you’re open-minded to the world of endless possibilities, there is no harm in considering a country like America for further education.
Malaysian-American Commission On Educational Exchange (MACEE) held a talk for the students of Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas on March 29, 2011 to expose the students to the American education system. The Alpha Theatre was considerably filled with students interested in pursuing further education in the United States of America. A representative from MACEE, dressed in a bright red two-piece suit, conceded that not many Malaysians choose America for further education because the process is far more convoluted compared to the Australian or United Kingdom’s admission system. She proceeded to inform the students that there are more than 4000 American universities. She also pointed out that the American education system is unique because liberal studies is offered in which general education is provided, and this was seconded by Victor Tan of TCSH’s Editorial Board, “It’s more flexible compared to the UK system.” The representative from MACEE continued on by informing students that the American education system aims to produce well-rounded graduates, instead of focusing on a certain degree or field. Furthermore, one could switch interests easily while studying the American education system.
Miriam Moeller, a representative from Northern Michigan University (NMU), was also invited to provide more information on the university to the students during the MACEE talk. She gave the students her personal insight on the American education system. She revealed that she hailed from Germany but decided to pursue her studies in America after trying out a term there. Together, both representatives from NMU and MACEE shed some light on the baroque and cumbersome requirements for admission to American universities. For instance, they informed the students that the SATs (Scholastic Assessment Tests) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) were basic requirements for application to American universities. Letters of recommendation, test scores, and other supporting documents are all the tip of the iceberg for admission to American universities. Nonetheless, the students present seemed unfazed by the heaps of information thrown at them. They appeared to have anticipated all the information, jotting down notes every now and then.
The MACEE talk had definitely left an indelible mark on the students present at the Alpha Theatre. After a brief question-and-answer session with the MACEE representative, the students began to leave. One by one, the audience left the chilly theatre with a sense of realisation that America truly is a destination to be considered for further education. There was much research to be done.
BY ALISON TAN KWAN HWA
The concept “Monkey see, monkey do” subconsciously rules over our minds and as a result, many eradicate any thoughts of pursuing further education elsewhere. However, as long as you’re open-minded to the world of endless possibilities, there is no harm in considering a country like America for further education.
Malaysian-American Commission On Educational Exchange (MACEE) held a talk for the students of Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas on March 29, 2011 to expose the students to the American education system. The Alpha Theatre was considerably filled with students interested in pursuing further education in the United States of America. A representative from MACEE, dressed in a bright red two-piece suit, conceded that not many Malaysians choose America for further education because the process is far more convoluted compared to the Australian or United Kingdom’s admission system. She proceeded to inform the students that there are more than 4000 American universities. She also pointed out that the American education system is unique because liberal studies is offered in which general education is provided, and this was seconded by Victor Tan of TCSH’s Editorial Board, “It’s more flexible compared to the UK system.” The representative from MACEE continued on by informing students that the American education system aims to produce well-rounded graduates, instead of focusing on a certain degree or field. Furthermore, one could switch interests easily while studying the American education system.
Miriam Moeller, a representative from Northern Michigan University (NMU), was also invited to provide more information on the university to the students during the MACEE talk. She gave the students her personal insight on the American education system. She revealed that she hailed from Germany but decided to pursue her studies in America after trying out a term there. Together, both representatives from NMU and MACEE shed some light on the baroque and cumbersome requirements for admission to American universities. For instance, they informed the students that the SATs (Scholastic Assessment Tests) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) were basic requirements for application to American universities. Letters of recommendation, test scores, and other supporting documents are all the tip of the iceberg for admission to American universities. Nonetheless, the students present seemed unfazed by the heaps of information thrown at them. They appeared to have anticipated all the information, jotting down notes every now and then.
The MACEE talk had definitely left an indelible mark on the students present at the Alpha Theatre. After a brief question-and-answer session with the MACEE representative, the students began to leave. One by one, the audience left the chilly theatre with a sense of realisation that America truly is a destination to be considered for further education. There was much research to be done.
BY ALISON TAN KWAN HWA
