America, emerging from the Great Recession, has embraced the importance of a post-high school education. Many found themselves competing for jobs against others whose college degrees and skills eclipsed their own. Others have found that the skills and degrees that they had are no longer in demand in an ever-evolving technological society. Divided lawmakers face the financial responsibility for education. Some view that it is the responsibility of their constituents to pay their own way whereas other politicians see that the consequences of a failure to educate citizens is a threat to the nation. Meanwhile, Americans are increasingly shopping for the best deals on everything from homes, cars, and small items. Education has been no exception. Americans are finding that just beyond the border lays the answer to a quality education without overextending their finances. Northern Exposure exposes everyone to what an education in Canada entails and how it is so cost-effective compared to the United States.
From a functionalists perspective everything happens for a reason because everything intertwines in one way or another. This connection helps to illustrate why many Americans are increasingly choosing to go to college in Canada to save money. With the unemployment rate in the United States teetering between eight and nine percent in the last year saving money is important to many Americans (Trading Economics, 2012). However, the unemployment rate for an American with a Bachelor’s Degree is only 3.9% compared 8.1% for one with just a high school diploma (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012). Because of the increase in unemployment Americans are looking for the best deals on everything, using coupons, and carpooling to work just to save a few dollars.
Money was not always an issue among Americans before late 2007, however. Before December 2007, the unemployment rate was only about five percent and many families owned homes. However, between politics and mortgage companies lending too much money to individuals who could not afford it many started losing their jobs. This would be known as the Great Recession and has driven many to further their education while saving money simultaneously.
In the video Northern Exposure aired by MSNBC, Emily Cox faced the dilemma to choose between two schools that offer quality educations. She could choose to stay in the United States and go to Georgetown University or she could move to Canada and go to McGill University. In the end, it came down to the price of each school. It would cost her roughly $50,000 to go to Georgetown per year whereas McGill would only cost her around $20,000 per year. By going to McGill, Emily can save roughly $30,000 a year and get an education that she can take anywhere.
Many would argue that there is nothing better than to save a considerable amount of money while getting a quality education. Aside from the high taxes in Canada, one can get that and much more. First, Canadian residents are entitled to free health care (Candian Health Care, 2004-2007). Second, the unemployment rate in Canada is only 7.3% (Trading Economics, 2012). That is a full percent lower than the United States, which means there are more jobs for college students. Most important of all is the price of an education in Canada. More than 9,000 American students currently attend college in Canadian classrooms paying less than 30-60% of what students in private United States schools are paying (NBC, 2011).
The Great Recession has caused many to further their education. Today 4.4 million more individuals are continuing their education post-high school than in 2000 (Institute of Education Sciences, 2012). The price of that education in America is far more than in Canada, however. Out of the 19.7 million Americans actively enrolled in college and universities in the United States the smart ones are the 9,000 enrolled in Canada (Institute of Education Sciences, 2012). They may be learning the same curriculum as those attending American schools, but possess a knowledge that many Americans do have. These 9,000 students have learned to think smart and “outside of the box” by getting a quality education on a dime.
From a functionalists perspective everything happens for a reason because everything intertwines in one way or another. This connection helps to illustrate why many Americans are increasingly choosing to go to college in Canada to save money. With the unemployment rate in the United States teetering between eight and nine percent in the last year saving money is important to many Americans (Trading Economics, 2012). However, the unemployment rate for an American with a Bachelor’s Degree is only 3.9% compared 8.1% for one with just a high school diploma (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012). Because of the increase in unemployment Americans are looking for the best deals on everything, using coupons, and carpooling to work just to save a few dollars.
Money was not always an issue among Americans before late 2007, however. Before December 2007, the unemployment rate was only about five percent and many families owned homes. However, between politics and mortgage companies lending too much money to individuals who could not afford it many started losing their jobs. This would be known as the Great Recession and has driven many to further their education while saving money simultaneously.
In the video Northern Exposure aired by MSNBC, Emily Cox faced the dilemma to choose between two schools that offer quality educations. She could choose to stay in the United States and go to Georgetown University or she could move to Canada and go to McGill University. In the end, it came down to the price of each school. It would cost her roughly $50,000 to go to Georgetown per year whereas McGill would only cost her around $20,000 per year. By going to McGill, Emily can save roughly $30,000 a year and get an education that she can take anywhere.
Many would argue that there is nothing better than to save a considerable amount of money while getting a quality education. Aside from the high taxes in Canada, one can get that and much more. First, Canadian residents are entitled to free health care (Candian Health Care, 2004-2007). Second, the unemployment rate in Canada is only 7.3% (Trading Economics, 2012). That is a full percent lower than the United States, which means there are more jobs for college students. Most important of all is the price of an education in Canada. More than 9,000 American students currently attend college in Canadian classrooms paying less than 30-60% of what students in private United States schools are paying (NBC, 2011).
The Great Recession has caused many to further their education. Today 4.4 million more individuals are continuing their education post-high school than in 2000 (Institute of Education Sciences, 2012). The price of that education in America is far more than in Canada, however. Out of the 19.7 million Americans actively enrolled in college and universities in the United States the smart ones are the 9,000 enrolled in Canada (Institute of Education Sciences, 2012). They may be learning the same curriculum as those attending American schools, but possess a knowledge that many Americans do have. These 9,000 students have learned to think smart and “outside of the box” by getting a quality education on a dime.
Reference
Archives, N. N. (Director). (2011). Economics
101 [Motion Picture].
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2012). Employment
status of the civilian population 25 years and over by educational attainment.
Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics :
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t04.htm
Candian Health Care. (2004-2007). Public
health care providers. Retrieved from Candian Health Care: http://www.canadian-healthcare.org/page5.html
Institute of Education Sciences. (2012). Back
to school statistics. Retrieved from National Center for Education
Statistics: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372
Trading Economics. (2012). Canada unemployment
rate. Retrieved from Trading Economics:
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/canada/unemployment-rate
Trading Economics. (2012). United
states unemployment rate. Retrieved from Trading Economics:
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/unemployment-rate
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