Cultural Comparison - Russia and US Education
A Cultural Comparison of Higher Education in Russia and the United States of America
Intercultural Communications
August 19th, 2014
“Inculcation is the gradual coming to know something through mundane processes of training and learning” (Chetro-Szivos, J. Lecture 1). Through inculcation we acquire a set of dispositions that mold the body and eventually become second nature to the actor. Paralleling this concept with education systems in place around the world, many similarities can be drawn. In this paper, we compare universities, or four-year institutions, in Russia and the United States. To begin, a description of a typical Russian university will be given. Following, U.S. universities will be explained. In conclusion, we will provide an analysis of commonalities and differences between the two nations. It is important to mention, “culture has been described as a lens that influences our ways of seeing” (Chetro-Szivos, J. Lecture 1). Thus, below is a naturally imperfect report. During the Soviet period, universities were established on the European or ‘continental’ model. The students were trained for 5-6 years and at the end of their education they receive a professional degree. Students receive higher education once in their lifetime and the state is responsible for providing employment to graduates. This system was implemented for many years without any development, while the market demanded life-long education along with updating of qualifications and skills from the alumni. To keep in pace with the economic and technological development, the concept of ‘infinite education’ was gradually introduced, in which additional education became essential for graduates of any stream.
Russia
To ensure compatibility in the standards and quality of higher education due to the existence of European and American systems of education, a common education space was created as a result of
Intercultural Communications
August 19th, 2014
“Inculcation is the gradual coming to know something through mundane processes of training and learning” (Chetro-Szivos, J. Lecture 1). Through inculcation we acquire a set of dispositions that mold the body and eventually become second nature to the actor. Paralleling this concept with education systems in place around the world, many similarities can be drawn. In this paper, we compare universities, or four-year institutions, in Russia and the United States. To begin, a description of a typical Russian university will be given. Following, U.S. universities will be explained. In conclusion, we will provide an analysis of commonalities and differences between the two nations. It is important to mention, “culture has been described as a lens that influences our ways of seeing” (Chetro-Szivos, J. Lecture 1). Thus, below is a naturally imperfect report. During the Soviet period, universities were established on the European or ‘continental’ model. The students were trained for 5-6 years and at the end of their education they receive a professional degree. Students receive higher education once in their lifetime and the state is responsible for providing employment to graduates. This system was implemented for many years without any development, while the market demanded life-long education along with updating of qualifications and skills from the alumni. To keep in pace with the economic and technological development, the concept of ‘infinite education’ was gradually introduced, in which additional education became essential for graduates of any stream.
Russia
To ensure compatibility in the standards and quality of higher education due to the existence of European and American systems of education, a common education space was created as a result of
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