Mexico, China, or US?
Replies: 25 - Last Post: Feb 10, 2013 3:14 PM Last Post By: trekker502
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Mexico, China, or US?
I am due to go on a half year study program, and the choice of where to go is really killing me. Can you help me out?What I am looking to get out of this is just the experience of a lifetime.
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The name of the city or university in each country is important in helping you get an idea of what it will be like.What languages do you know? Especially, can you speak and read Chinese? Not just for study, but for making friends, dealing with shopkeepers, ordering a meal...
What subject will you be studying? In what language will they be teaching?
What kind of living arrangements will you have?
How will you travel? That is, will the town have good transit? Will it be the kind of place where you need your own car?
What time of year? I would not want to spend a winter in northern China or a summer in some hot and humid place in the US or Mexico.
Do you need to be able to work while you are there?
Nutrax
The plural of anecdote is not data.
9
Studying in USA will probably be most useful for your career. But it'll be more expensive (is this a sponsored program?).Mexico is much more relaxed. Rules are not enforced. Easier to get alcohol if you're <21. Cheaper. If you already speak English, this is a chance to learn Spanish. Very fun country! There is a safety problem, but the risks of getting murdered are exaggerated unless you're into drugs... I've lived in Mexico for 1 year, and nothing serious occurred to me. Robbed once at gunpoint (just lost wallet), once extorted by a crack addict (lost everything of value), once surrounded and robbed by four police officers (they only took my money).
China will give you an idea of a completely different society (I'm assuming that you're European... Dutch?). Great cultural experience. By far the cheapest of the three. You could live like a king. I found it harder to connect and make friends with people though.
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When did 3 robberies (including 2 at gunpoint) in one year become nothing serious.Unless you're going to a specialized language program in either Mexico or China or are in a Latin America or China focused field of study, go to the US.
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No, only one at gunpoint. The police had weapons but never used them. They said they would put me in jail unless I gave them all my money. And the junkie was unarmed, but threatened to bring over his friends and make things unpleasant unless I cooperated. Since I had travel insurance I figured it wasn't worth taking a risk. I agree there is a safety problem, which makes it a bit more stressful to get around the country, but the chances of getting murdered by the drug cartels I think are very exaggerated. They tend to not target gringos. Get travel insurance, don't walk alone at night, don't play hero, and you'll be fine.12
I will be doing a minor in business administration, with a specific focus on Financial subjects.The universities I am considering in Mexico are: Ibero Americano, ITAM, and Tech Monternerry.
In the states I am looking at California State Uni, champlain uni, and southwest uni.
In China : Polytechnical Uni Hong Kong.
Besides experiencing a new culture, I have lived in the Netherlands all my life, I would also like to lay the foundations for another half year abroad in 2015, when I will be doing an internship.
The downside about the states is that it is really expensive; I won't be able to afford it by myself, whereas I could when going to Mexico or China.
The downside about Mexico is the fact that there are no student campus's on the universities, and also the crime rate.
Sorry for the lack of info in my question btw.
Thanks for the response so far!
13
This is impossible to answer. You provided us with no information and your likes. Are you 18 or 30? Is nightlife important? Do you want public transit or will have a budget for a car? Where in the US are your options? US is enormous as you might be able to tell from the map and full of various landscapes, cities and cultures. It's like judging the entire Europe as one country. Studying in NYC and studying in Wichita, Kansas are completely different experiences. Is budget a concern in any way? Obviously, China and Mexico are in a completely different category.14
In the states I am looking at California State Uni, champlain uni, and southwest uni.
Americans rarely say "uni." It's sometime abbreviated "univ." but spoken as "university."Which California State University? There are 23 campuses located all over the state.
