Leon waxing profundity never fails to inspire a blog post ;)
But it did get me thinking. About turning down an opportunity to study in the US of A. Why did I do it? Never wanted to study abroad. With all its pitfalls, the Indian education system is still one of the best in the world. Okay, I'm probably generalizing here, so I'll be more specific.
Till the 12th standard (grade, for you Yanks), if you study the C.B.S.E syllabus, you're guaranteed to have fun learning. I did it till the 10th, and loved every moment of it. And I still regret not continuing in it till 12th, but that's another post.
College is where it gets iffy. Undergrad is probably best in India, what with all its heavy subsidies and all, and ultra cool 'insti's. A technical grad school is probably best abroad, because of the better returns for that extra effort. [M.Tech from IIT earning only about Rs.60k per annum more than me is slightly sad...], but for B-schools, India would be it. So why'd I choose to stay here? Mostly because - I love India. It may sound corny, but I really do. For all its shortcomings and rough edges and poverty and grubbiness, it's still amazing. Best place in the world to live in. Why? Because it's home. Essentially the same reason I prefer Bombay over Chennai. Home. Beat that, U.S.A.
It's not really patriotism. Hell, I work for an American telco. I've stayed abroad for 7-something years, and realised that home rox. What you can do here, you can't do anywhere else. Simple analogy: when you visit someone's house, do you be yourself, or be the guest?
Apart from all that, there's some X factor, really. Why do I want to stay here? it's home. Why DON'T I want to study there? Dunno. And till now, that's the best reason I could come up with. Dunno, I just don't...beat that, U.S.A :)
Disclaimer: I love travelling, and wouldn't mind visiting any place on Earth. But to live? India it is, with distinct leanings towards Bombay ;)
1 comment:
Shrk, Thanks for finding my post worthy of linking to..
My two cents..
"The Indian education system is still one of the best in the world." I disagree.. Yes, CBSE is great(I studied in CBSE too) but it still offers far fewer choices to students than American school education does and opens up far fewer opportunities.
"Undergrad is probably the best in India". Nope.. And even if I concede the point it would only be true for about 10000 of the approximately 2 million(that's a random big number) undergrads... What would you say about your undergrad education? best?
"For B-schools, India would be it.". huh.. did I hear right? Admittedly the IIMs are great institutions but I would think Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and Sloan are not far behind... :P.
If you ask me, the Indian education system at almost all levels, is designed to make well oiled human machines that perform reliably over a long period of time. It is not designed to produce thinkers and innovators.
"For all its shortcomings and rough edges and poverty and grubbiness, it's still amazing. Best place in the world to live in. Why? Because it's home." Bravo, well said.. I feel the same way too.. :-). And that is ALL the reason you need to not choose to live in the US.
I'm still puzzled about something though. You say you've lived abroad for 7 years. Why not study in the US for 2 years and then go back to that "American telco" back home?
"What you can do here, you can't do anywhere else." True, but then "What you can do HERE, you can't do ANYWHERE else.. ;-).
Regarding your disclaimer: So you love travelling do you... I'm sure your job back home would ensure you visit a lot of exotic locations. And it would take only 10 years!!!
PS: I have a lot more to say on the subject.. in particular the "Indian education system". But then it would probably make more sense to write a post.. and link to yours.
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