How do you not make the wrong choice if you want to study abroad or decide to send your child to a foreign school? It would seem that it is enough to look at the world rankings, choose a top educational institution and be sure of a successful contribution to the future, but it is not that simple.
Of course, the rankings allow you to see the big picture of the modern educational market, but it is even more important to understand which country is right for you and will help you to achieve your goals. Maybe the university that seemed attractive to you will not be on the top list for your field of study, or the cost of education will be too high. So before you choose an educational institution it is worth studying in detail the features of the country, its climate, quality of life, educational system, conditions for international students and young professionals, and then boldly choose according to your preferences and capabilities.
In this article, we will look at several popular countries where Russian schoolchildren and students can get secondary and higher education.
1. America
The American education system is considered one of the most advanced in the world, so international students come here for both secondary and higher education. The United States is the world leader in the number of international students. Each year more than 1 million people come here, which is 28% of the total number of international students in the world (Institute of International Education, 2024).
Studying in American private high schools gives children brilliant knowledge and skills for adult life and opens the way to prestigious universities. Most graduates stay in the country and enter the best universities and colleges in the United States: Harvard University, University of South Carolina, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Yale University. American universities offer students high-quality training in all fields and excellent career prospects. By the way, a lot of students could combine study and work using an EssayAssistant, which could help them to get deep into work. Also, there is more useful websites, such as https://www.customessaymeister.com/.
About the country
Today the United States of America is the center of economic, cultural, and academic life in the world. The U.S. economy accounts for ¼ of global GDP, the developments in Silicon Valley have driven world scientific and technological progress for decades, and the names of Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, and Andy Warhol have become symbols of progressive and bold ideas.
It is also worth remembering that the U.S. is a great country for traveling with fantastic nature: here is the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Preserve, Sequoia Park, Lake Tahoe, and Lake Michigan, Death Valley, Monument Valley, and many other natural attractions. And in a few hours, you can reach Canada, Hawaii or the Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil, and Peru.
2. United Kingdom
British education is considered to be the benchmark for academic training. The British educational system is based on centuries-old traditions, but that doesn’t stop it from being modern and up-to-date with new technologies.
The diplomas of British schools and universities are valued all over the world, and the education received serves as an excellent start for an international career. Every year more than 550 thousand international students come here to study. By this indicator, Great Britain ranks second in the world.
About the country
Britain, despite its conservatism, is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe. It played an important role in the creation of parliamentary democracy, the development of world science and art, for several centuries the country has been a trendsetter in the world of art, literature, music, and fashion.
Many important discoveries were made in Great Britain: the steam engine, the modern bicycle, stereo sound, antibiotics, HTML, and many others. Services, especially banking, insurance, education, and tourism, now account for most of the GDP, while manufacturing is declining, taking up only 18% of the labor force.
Great Britain is a great place to practice your English, and not just because it’s the national language. It is also a great opportunity to master the “British accent” and experience the culture of this great power. Myths about British restraint are somewhat exaggerated – the residents will be interested in chatting with you, and any sales clerk will be happy to talk about the weather and local news before handing out the check.
3. Canada
Canada is one of the most popular destinations for international students. Over the past 10 years, their number has tripled. In 2019, almost 320 thousand people came to the country to study. Canada’s immigration policy is more advantageous compared to the U.S. and Europe. After graduation, international students can get a visa with a work permit for up to 3 years and a residence permit.
About the country
Picturesque nature, high standard of living and ecology, safety, and comfort are the main features of Canada that attract students from all over the world.
It is one of the most progressive countries, where the economy, science, and technology are actively developing, and education is becoming more and more efficient and modern thanks to significant government investments (7% of the budget) in this area. Canada has two official languages – English and French, so students can choose the one they prefer or learn two foreign languages at once.
4. Switzerland
Switzerland is the largest international financial and business center, the historical home of the hospitality and tourism industries. Another strong area, offered by Swiss universities, is management and finance. The country has 4 official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh), and students can take courses in one of them, or English, which is widely used in everyday life.
About the country
Switzerland is known as a country of high precision and quality: it is famous for the production of traditional cheeses and chocolates, watches and knives with a century-old history, as well as top-class medicine and service. Switzerland has four official languages, no official capital, and no state religion, but there are no ethnic conflicts either. A large part of Switzerland is occupied by mountains, therefore the country attracts fans of skiing and mountain tourism from all over the world. The service sector makes up more than 73% of GDP, followed by industry and construction – 23%, agriculture, and fishing – 4%.
5. Italy
Education in Italy is controlled by the state: the Ministry of Education develops all school curricula, controls the level of knowledge of graduates of private schools, and monitors the level of training of teachers. Higher education institutions enjoy greater autonomy and independently design their curricula.
Although Italy is not considered a leader in education, it is an ideal country for those who want to devote themselves to music, fashion, design, or painting.
About the country
Italy is a land of sun, wine, art, and home to many inventions – for example, the mechanical clock, the barometer, the thermometer, glass, and the telephone were invented by Italians. It is home to the oldest university in the world, the Venice Film Festival, the Maison & Objet exhibition, seasonal fashion shows, and other major events in fashion, art, architecture, and design.
The country’s economy is heavily focused on the service sector, which accounts for almost two-thirds of GDP. A medium and small family business is actively developing in the country. It provides a major part of economic growth. Picturesque nature, seaside location, and cultural heritage attract more than 50 million tourists and students to Italy every year.