12.
Nov 26, 2007 4:22 PM
in response to:
MnD
Slight hijack...
Average cost of higher education:
Countries with free tuition, registration and educational materials
Finland $271
Belgium $821
Sweden $852
Countries with free tuition only
Ireland $1,575
France $1,738
Germany $2,083
Countries with low tuition costs
Netherlands $1,990
Italy $2,135
Countries with medium tuition costs
UK $3,257
Australia $3,828
Canada $4,149
Countries with high tuition costs
Japan $8,248*
US $9,604*
*Combines the average of public and private provision of education.
Source: Educational Policy Institute
NB: Canada and the United States, on the other hand, have the opposite problem in that many people believe these countries? systems to be less affordable, in a comparative sense, than they really are. If recent debates are anything to go by, government critics seem to assume that the absence of tuition fees and loan programs in much of Europe implies that higher education in North America is much less affordable than in these other, tuition-free countries. This is certainly true if one compares Canada and the US to the rather special cases of Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands ? but as for the rest of Europe, it can only be considered true if one blinds oneself to international differences in student aid and average incomes. The fact is: compared to much of Europe, North American student assistance programs are reasonably generous and net costs are close to the same as a percentage of family income.
Few years later with grad sheepskin in hand or feathers in our cap, resulted in big jump in promotions and pay. It led the way to more job opportunities and suddenly more doors were open to us. Incentives were given for us to stay and if we weren't satisfied, we always have flexibility and other "options" Our employers were aware and did whatever it took to keep us. Also, we were no longer tied to our jobs and if we're not satisfied, we became immediately more marketable elsewhere. 
