The American Student

I think it is only fair that I rush to the defence of the American student. I am wary of my blog becoming far too anti-American for its own good, I must fight the temptation, as attractive as it unfortunately is.


American students are much like British ones. You have your care free ones and you have your workaholics. I would say that there is however a tendancy for the American student to work harder than the British. Firstly the set up of their degree course gives them more work to do and secondly University is far more expensive - and hence valuable to these students. Many have either paid fortunes to be there, or require near constant top marks to retain the life line that is their scholarships.

I have also been surprised with how politically aware most students claim to be and debate is often fierce, they say politics is one of the great American past times. and rightly so. Yet from my limited experience they do seem to be very sure of their opinions, and this is the source of their fierce debates. People are very dogmatic in their beliefs, leaving little room for compromise.

I can also happily report that it seems that banning alcohol to the under 21's has only made it far more attractive to them - and many tend to drink just as much, if not more than their British counterparts. Despite the efforts of countless overally well intentioned campaign groups. Which doesn't half make me smile. :)