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By: Ana Gabriel Lobo Higher education for many of us is more than just about obtaining a degree; it goes beyond completing another step in order to get a well paying job. It is rather about the journey, the character and the experience acquired in it, the completion of your goals, personal growth and the will to overcome yourself. In this way, a main factor in this experience is the setting you choose for this journey. The place where you will study or in other words, deposit your hopes and dreams for the next few years of your life plays an important role in defining not only your professional career, but also the rest of your life. Many argue that this ideal setting might be found in the United States. The belief that the US possesses some of the best colleges worldwide is highly popular, and that argument is well supported in most cases. The resources offered, the opportunities for financial aid, the faculty, the infrastructure, environment and many other factors distinguish American universities and place them high, if not first, in most world rankings. For this reason the idea of exporting this education has become wildly popular. Having a world class education for less and never having to leave your country is a seductive, comfortable and interesting promise. Such a guarantee is what Florida State University, among other US colleges in Panama assures. This guarantee is what brings me to the aim of my discussion, which is assessing how effective is FSU Panama as a mirror of higher education in the United States. The best way to answer this question is to compare FSU Panama to another college in the United States. Having experienced both worlds, I can contrast the differences between two different institutions: FSU Panama and Purdue University. The latter is a middle sized public college located in a small town northwest Indiana. Purdue is ultimately known for its acclaimed school of engineering; however, their business program also ranks high. The contrast of FSU Panama and Purdue offers an interesting study that is capable of answering many doubts and concerns about higher education. These two colleges have more in common than one might think. First, because of being both from the US they share the same method and system. This is one of the most relevant similarities, since the methodology of education is what sets an institution apart from the rest. It is also an advantage because the methodology of colleges in the US is proven to be greatly successful and also comfortable for students. Apart from this, the plan of study for some careers is very similar and has many basic courses in common. This is also pivotal since curriculums in the US are well tested and integral. Also, they share a holistic approach towards education, like most colleges there do, by offering extracurricular activities and encouraging student involvement. Finally, they both teach completely in English. Some might take this for granted, but speaking another language is essential in our world today. It sets you apart and distinguishes you. On the contrary, the differences of education in FSU Panama and in the United States surpass the similarities. First, the environment in Panama does not carry the level of commitment and competition found abroad. It is rather laid back and unfocused. The sometimes harsh environment in the US forces you to do better and encourages you to overcome yourself. Besides, FSU Panama lacks strength in additional activities that compliment the academic education. For example, the level of student involvement through organizations, clubs, sports and the pride for one’s college here is very poor in comparison. Furthermore, the resources offered in the US like laboratories, research facilities and the infrastructure provided are nowhere to be found here. Some of these resources are the presence of graduate students. In the US you not only learn from your teacher but also from these graduate students who are teaching assistants, extra classes, help rooms and many other tools at your disposal for clarification and understanding. Additionally, the curriculum here is very limited since it only allows you to complete certain degrees in Panama, or just complete courses in Liberal Arts before transferring somewhere else. Moreover, I have found that the United States offers far more opportunities for scholarships and financial aid through the entire course of your career. Finally, I consider the fact of never leaving your comfort zone a disadvantage. In my case, I have learned more from the experience of living by myself, of being thrown out in a world that is not my own and of leaving behind everything that is familiar to me than from my classes. These experiences give you character, they make you grow as a person and provide many positive qualities to your personality. However, some of the differences found between FSU Panama and the United States are advantageous for FSU. For example, the fact that it is a small institution allows an individualized education you will hardly find in the US. This gives you a better opportunity to shine, to be more than just a number and to get far more out of your teachers. The teachers have a very similar level of qualification, which in the case of FSU is an advantage since the student-teacher ratio is very low. To conclude, FSU Panama is a growing college that has accomplished a great deal in the years it has been functioning. It has offered many students the opportunity to study abroad for a considerable low cost and it has been a pioneer and a leader at doing this. As a launching platform or a starting point I believe that FSU Panama is an excellent option, an intelligent and comfortable choice. However as an institution to complete your entire career I find that it still lacks many important qualifications which are mostly acquired over time and experience. The promise is not a failed one; it is rather a working plan, a growing opportunity that demands will and a desire to learn from the student to make it true.
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