Higher education is always about future opportunities. Everyone strives to succeed in a profession that would secure financial independence and bring pleasure as well, but a problem of quality and affordability is to pay attention to. So we search, think and ponder…
Is education abroad really worth it? Let us analyze the wishes of those school-leavers and parents aiming at entering a foreign university.
First of all, they look for prestigious professions adjusted to the modern job market. There exists a certain stereotype that foreign educational programs are better adapted, disciplines are more interesting, and professors are more experienced. Is it really so?
Undoubtedly, a world’s top-100 listed university would provide with greater opportunities even just because of its name in the diploma. However, this comes along only with thorough studying and what is more important, with all the necessary payments. For example, in the US, education fees vary from $30,000 to $70,000 a year. Then, one must not forget about accommodation allowances. A room inside a campus costs about from $700 to $900 per month, and that does not even include food and insurance, for which one would pay another $1,000. Of course, one may choose another country - say, Poland instead. It may sound cheaper indeed, but not if we are talking about anything other than some little-known private institution with several lectures a week. By the way, those who already tried looking for a job in the spheres where a prestigious certificate really makes a difference (such as, in global corporations with high salaries), know that employers are not really aware of the majority of universities, be they in Ukraine or abroad, unless they are Harvard, Stanford or CalTech.
On the other hand, a diploma of a foreign university is not always beneficial in Ukraine either. This concerns the spheres of external policy and law enforcement. That is why some students seek transfer to a Ukrainian university after they have already spent a year abroad. In fact, applying for Master’s or Doctor’s degree of ranking universities abroad one had better graduated from a state-financed institution at first, whether it is foreign or Ukrainian. It is an obvious advantage compared with graduating from some private institution.
For instance, graduates of the Faculty of International Relations of EENU tend to succeed in entering Master’s and PhD’s programs in the US (even the top universities), as well as in Britain, France, Germany, and of course, Poland; the programs being free in most cases. The status of our University as the basic training provider plays its role, too.
Many of our professors obtained training and hence qualifications abroad as well. Those willing to have an international certificate should really consider completing Bachelor’s degree in Ukraine at first. The university does not really matter; it is advisable to take into account further expenses instead. Moreover, time should be devoted to thorough preparation for entering a program of the same specialty.
The second thing on the agenda is the advantages that students take from studying inside a certain linguistic community which will contribute to their further employment. However, nowadays many Ukrainian universities provide opportunities for training in foreign languages. Thus, the students of the Faculty of International Relations of EENU have the chance to choose between Ukrainian and English as a language of instruction, beginning from their 1st year of study.
This year, it has been the 3rd time that the Faculty released a group of students who have completed the whole syllabus in English and defended their theses in this language, too. English groups also include students from various countries of Africa and Asia, so the communication facilitates further cultural integration.
The Faculty provides extensive training for foreign languages as educational disciplines, both within the main syllabus and as additional courses in our language centre “Svit”. The learners of such languages as English, German, French, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese and Persian are to be certified B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Graduates also obtain a qualification of translators in their second foreign language, besides there is also the third foreign language to choose. There are many examples of students going from beginners to advanced learners; because it is only a matter of motivation to master a language.
Third, everyone expects modern learning environment, better equipment and technical opportunities. Foreign universities may be seen as leaders in this aspect, especially considering natural sciences. Yet Ukrainian establishments also have their advantages; for instance, IT competences are obtained at the same level as abroad. What is more, not every foreign university can boast of implementing such cutting-edge technologies as e-learning and hybrid learning, which have already become popular in Ukraine. Thus, cloud informational environment have been utilized by EENU since 2012, and in 2019-2020 academic year, students of the Faculty of International Relations obtained a full package of learning material and technological software for attending lectures and seminars online. This includes the use of specifically tailored electronic learning resources and modern informational technologies. Instructor-led classes get broadcast online, while virtual learning environment and mobile phone applications provide an opportunity to study from home or during trips.
Fourth, education abroad is seen as more democratic as compared to Ukrainian in terms of bribery and corruption. It is a stereotype, of course. And those rumours about corruption mostly appeal to those who only need education for a formal certificate, not those aiming at obtaining actual skills and knowledge. As a student and a worker of both Ukrainian and foreign higher education establishments, I can argue that bribery in our universities does not exceed that abroad, at least, it concerns EENU.
Imagine a situation – you come to a beauty salon, pay for a haircut and then make a secret deal with the hairdresser on not getting the haircut but receiving a certificate for it instead. The hair stylist would be satisfied, but your certificate wouldn’t be worth anything at all to anyone who’d see you afterwards. That is one analogy for a fake diploma. It only works until the first job interview. That is why our main principle is motivation and the provision of necessary conditions for the development of a future expert. Hence there simply exists no reason for corruption, neither money collection for renovation works or whatsoever.
A student is a customer who obtains educational service, sometimes paying much money for it. Thus, the system must work in a way that excludes the very possibility of bribery. We are currently working for students and educating them based on the principle of intolerance to corruption.
Fifth, education abroad is viewed as an opportunity to travel and experience something new. Studying in Poland, I was amazed at how mobile the students were, travelling all over Europe during holidays. But this was in the early 2000s. Today our students can also combine studies and work abroad. Considering this aspect, Ukraine has long been integrated into this worldwide students’ environment. Each year about 100 of our IR students go abroad both for short trips and long-term residence including participation in the international student exchange programs.
We may also add the sixth point - the orientation at the job market. Ukrainian universities can provide the necessary skills for this purpose, too. Our students take internships at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and diplomatic offices in the EU countries, as well as in business; namely, at leading companies with foreign capital in Ukraine. We have signed contracts on internship programs in Poland and we have long been accommodating our educational programs to the requirements of the employers. During their studies the students deal with practical tasks that form the basis of their thesis projects.
Regarding employment, it is only a matter of the freedom of choice and commitment, because any position is available for a university graduate who speaks at least two foreign languages and knows how to do business in the global world. That is the reason why thousands of IR graduates from EENU comprise diplomats, managers of large enterprises, successful businessmen and government representatives. The world is already globalized. As our motto goes, “Why not improve the World?”
So, is it really worth to seek educational opportunities elsewhere but Ukraine, relying on rumours and stereotypes? Education of high quality is already available in our country and in our city. Good education is right here, so, don’t waste your time!
Serhii FEDONIUK,
Dean of the Faculty of International Relations