Poll: Should I do it?

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

American education sucks unless you end up in a private school. As far as experiences go, I couldn't say what other countries are like but American HS kids are assjacks for the most part.
So I don't recommend the US.

 

[ThePantomimeThief]

Come to Scotland instead, we're awesome.

(Sidenote) I've been using the word "awesome" too much today, I need to stop.

Dude, I'm not sure Scotland is part of the deal

Mate, so many people abroad confuse Britain with "England." Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales are all one country anyway. I think this is the case here as he also mentions Ireland, which is indeed a seperate country. XD

Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland are different countries. Scotland, England, Wales and northern Ireland are part of the United Kingdom. If you talk about the british isles as a whole then its either Great Britain or the British ISLES. I might be wrong but Im pretty damn sure that England and say, Wales, are NOT all the same country.

Don't say to a Scot, a Welshman, or an Irishman or Northern Irishman that they're English for the love of God! But yeah, each of the different constituent states has different rights and regulatory bodies, such as the English and Scottish Parliaments. The English Parliament is the overarching chief body of the United Kingdom, but the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Irish assemblies have law-making powers that cannot be undone by the central parliament because of devolution. So it's a bit like the difference between Federal and State law in the US, except the Federal law is also the state law for the largest of the nation states. And then of course there's the EU, which overrides the laws of the United Kingdom altogether, albeit often in lax terms...phew!

Anyway, OT - do it, it'll be a great experience wherever you go, but try to do a bit of research on where you'll be going first, to make sure you pick the right high school or sixth form

 

[William Dickbringer]

I'd say of your choices america is probably the worst one since the school system sounds like it is run by fucking maniacs. I'm Irish and I think your best options are Ireland, Canada or New Zealand.

If you're the outgoing type and your english is good go for it. If you're the quiet type and your english is shaky you should probably still do it even if you might end up hating that year it's still something you've learned about yourself and another country.

hey I'm american and I...yeah he's right don't do states we suck on the education level we'll only make you dumber

 

[loc978]

so... approximately twelve thousand dollars for a year of high school overseas? If you're rich, go for it. I always regretted not taking a $5,000 trip to Australia as a kid... but I had no way to get that kind of money together back then.

Also, if you do come to the US for schooling, it really depends where they send you as to what kind of experience you'll have. Research where you're going before jumping in.

 

[Fusioncode9]

Okay so here's my scenario:

I'm 14 (I'll be fifteen come December) and I'm from Denmark.
The Danish school school system has an offer that allows me to take a year in High School in USA, England, France, Canada, New Zealand, Australia or Ireland. The only requirement is that I have the equivalent of a C in all my core subjects and that I am 15-19 years old.

So, I'm thinking of finishing this school year (come June next year), and then having a year in a High School in USA. By then, I'll be 15, as already mentioned, and I don't think getting a C is very hard for me.

Info about the offer: I'm offered a 14 day preparation course in the country I choose, before starting in school and I will be living with a host family that has gone through 'training' to be nice to me. I can also sign up for 'Discovery tours', where I'm taken on tours with other exchange students to see awesome landmarks and that kinda stuff.
In England, Australia, France, Canada and the states, I can also choose which part I want to be sent to.

So to all you Americans: should I do it? Is High School an awesome experience, or does it suck?
Advise of all kinds is welcome. Also if you hail from one of the other available countries, feel free to give me some reasons as to why I'm better off going there. I will be listening

EDIT: I speak fluent English. My English stepfather of 11 years has taught me the language since I was 4-5 years old. I don't have self-esteem issues and I'm open to new people.

MEGA EDIT!: I'm beginning to lean more towards Australia.

It's a great chance for you to see some other cultures and go to another school. Though your new school may have some pretty rough bullies, as a lot of high schools do. I think you should take a chance and come to the US.

 

[Dapsen]

Come to Scotland instead, we're awesome.

(Sidenote) I've been using the word "awesome" too much today, I need to stop.

Dude, I'm not sure Scotland is part of the deal

Mate, so many people abroad confuse Britain with "England." Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales are all one country anyway. I think this is the case here as he also mentions Ireland, which is indeed a seperate country. XD

Sorry mate, my stepfather is English, I've been to England over ten times, and on top of that, I'm not dumb. I know the difference.

 

[Gudrests]

just getting out of HS in America i can tell you this...as long as (you said you have self confidence) <--that and you make sure you watch your own back first...youll be fine..to be honest i had a ball in school and most teachers will be like...ohh hes forein he's dumb..so you can ace everything and most of them (teachers) who i knew...if near the end you begged for grades..would give them to you weither you went to class or not lol...(hated that crap, id rather fail bymyself than pass with no merit behind it) but i say TAKE IT UP...BAG SOME AMERICAN BIDDIES

 

[Urgh76]

This could be a good experience, just stay away from my school in Pennsylvania they would just destroy your human faith if you have any left..... bunch of idiots they are......

 

[Urgh76]

Note: It isn't exactly the school system who offers this. It's an organisation called Education First.

Also the offer isn't free: A year in America is 59.000 Kroner (Danish valuta, about one fifth of a dollar, one tenth of a pound, and one seventh of a euro).
Although the organisation throws in 10.000.

Also: America is the cheapest.

O.O thats actually a REALLY good deal!

 

[open trap]

Do it, and go to my town, ill be the same age when you get here.

 

[Korten12]

I live in New York, US, and my school loves forigen exchange students, my friends hosted German exchange students here and my brother in a couple of months will also, some girl from some country... (didn't bother to check. )

 

[Cat Cloud]

Go where you want to. I'm from the US, and I'm in one of one of the best high schools in my state, so I've never had problems with violence, etc, but I know this isn't true of all schools. You might want to wait until college/University to come to the US, then the quality of education will be be better no matter where you go. I don't think we are as bad as we are portrayed (for at least part of the time) and no matter where you choose to go you will probably enjoy it.

As a northerner, I'd recommend the upper midwest, northeast, and west coast (although not LA) if you can pick where you want to go. The south is friendly, but their pulic education system is utter crap. Also, try to stay away from inner city areas, especially Detroit. Not sure about New York City. Suburban schools are often better education wise, although there is more diversity (and unfortunately violence) generally in inner city schools.

As far as I know, none of our exchange students in my school have had an increadably negative experience.

If you do choose the US, there will be a lot of idiots. Just know we aren't all that way.

 

[fo shneezy]

but in all seriousness you should come to america

EDIT: if you do come, go to new hampshire, its the bestest state

 

[Korten12]

Go where you want to. I'm from the US, and I'm in one of one of the best high schools in my state, so I've never had problems with violence, etc, but I know this isn't true of all schools. You might want to wait until college/University to come to the US, then the quality of education will be be better no matter where you go. I don't think we are as bad as we are portrayed (for at least part of the time) and no matter where you choose to go you will probably enjoy it.

As a northerner, I'd recommend the upper midwest, northeast, and west coast (although not LA) if you can pick where you want to go. The south is friendly, but their pulic education system is utter crap. Also, try to stay away from inner city areas, especially Detroit. Not sure about New York City. Suburban schools are often better education wise, although there is more diversity (and unfortunately violence) generally in inner city schools.

As far as I know, none of our exchange students in my school have had an increadably negative experience.

If you do choose the US, there will be a lot of idiots. Just know we aren't all that way.

New York has some pretty good schools, just as long as you stay away from the inner-city schools.

 

[Boba Frag]

I'd say of your choices america is probably the worst one since the school system sounds like it is run by fucking maniacs. I'm Irish and I think your best options are Ireland, Canada or New Zealand.

If you're the outgoing type and your english is good go for it. If you're the quiet type and your english is shaky you should probably still do it even if you might end up hating that year it's still something you've learned about yourself and another country.

First off, don't go to Ireland. Ireland had nothing compared to Australia, and I say that as an Irish person.

I think the winter weather alone is enough for me to discourage young people coming here, and also Irish 14, 15 year olds tend to be childish dickheads.

If you want my advice, get yourself out of Europe for a bit.

 

[Leemaster777]

As someone who went to two different schools during high school, I can safely say, if you do decide to come here to the states, DO SOME RESEARCH FIRST. Seriously, my first three years of high school were terrible, terrible experiences. But my last year, I went to a new high school that had just opened up, and had the time of my life that last year.

Much like pissing when you're drunk, the key thing to remember is location, location, location.

 

[Zirat]

That sounds really cool, you really should go through with it.

It sounds like it could be a good experience for you. Go with wherever you want to go, but Austrailia sounds nice...

 

[Sennz0r]

Are you kidding me man? You shouldn't even be asking this, shit like this is a chance of a lifetime! Go, live in a different country, immerse yourself in different cultures, make awesome foreign friends, make connections that can help you later in life!

If I had that chance in high school I'd be all over it. Now I just need to study harder so I can go to university in a foreign country some day.

 

[Dapsen]

Okay, I've been upstairs and talked to my mum.
She doesn't feel safe sending me off to Australia 'cause of all the bugs and snakes and whatnot.
Though she is perfectly fine with New Zealand, so that's the new goal! ;D

 

[pilkman]

Australia just got really interesting wild life, theres very little chance of you ever being harmed by it though