Studying abroad....

NYT has an interesting article titled "Study Abroad Flourishes, With China a Hot Spot." According to this story, "record numbers of American students are studying abroad, with especially strong growth in educational exchanges with China, the annual report by the Institute on International Education found. The number of Americans studying in China increased by 25 percent, and the number of Chinese students studying at American universities increased by 20 percent last year, according to the report, “Open Doors 2008.” “Interest in China is growing dramatically, and I think we’ll see even sharper increases in next year’s report,” said Allan E. Goodman, president of the institute. “People used to go to China to study the history and language, and many still do, but with China looming so large in all our futures, there’s been a real shift, and more students go for an understanding of what’s happening economically and politically.”"

Medical patients in the USA are increasingly purchasing drugs from Canada, Mexico, Ireland and other places to save money. They are also traveling to other countries, especially in Asia or in Latin or South America, for medical procedures. One of my friends recently went to India for a hip resurfacing procedure, because the doctors there were more experienced in the procedure and it was cheaper. Similar cost/benefit analysis has to come to higher education. There are excellent schools in other countries where students can get a rigorous education for a fraction of the tuition dollars spent in the United States. Parents and students should research and take advantage of this 'GO Abroad, Learn and Save (GOALS).'