From: Ascmjk@aol.com
Date: Wed Jul 14 2004 - 22:46:39 BST
In a message dated 7/14/2004 12:51:58 PM Central Standard Time,
ajb102@psu.edu writes:
First, No one is denying that the American culture is not more free than in
many other nations. But I don't think you can claim that our immigration is
the result of being "best" in all ways. First, English has evolved, through
American hegemony and globalization, into much more a world language than,
say, Danish. As a result, familiarity with the language fuels a lot of
immigration when fleeing to a "western" country.
Plus, legal immigration to Denmark and other countries (except for applying
for asylum) is actually more difficult that getting into the US, simply
because those countries are smaller. But don't forget that in the last five
years, nearly a quarter of a million people legally immigrated to Denmark.
That's impressive for it's size. Canada is somewhere around 200,000 legal
immigrants a year.
Germany has let in nearly a million legal immigrants a year, very close to
the number legally allowed into the US. So I don't think you accurately
paint the picture that "they're coming to America".
Second, with the Universities I think you are seeing two phenomena. One, is
as I've stated above, ESL as a result of hegemony makes it more likely that
students will choose English language countries as there point of study.
Two, like above it paints in inaccurate picture. The University of Bonn has
nearly 1/4 of its students from abroad. Or that Danish "Public statistics
show that the number of foreign students coming to Denmark to study at
Danish universities is now higher than the number of Danish students going
abroad." I could find statistics from other Unis, but you'd see the same
thing. The European Universities are just as crowded with foreign students
as here in the US. But I do think you need to consider that "studying
abroad" is highly valued in many European cultures, not because "American"
education is better, but because diversity and exposure is valued. I have a
friend who works for the German firm Virbraccoustic, who studied a year for
his PhD at Bowling Green University. The reason, as he said to me, was that
his vitae was stronger showing studying abroad than simply studying
exclusively in Germany. You'd be hard pressed to find that attitude in the
American dialogue.
Let me see if I understand you correctly. First and foremost, the English
language is the main reason most people legally immigrate to America. It's wrong
(and misleading) to suggest personal freedom (such as religious freedom) has
anything to do with it. Furthermore, as long as you don't factor in certain
elements of reality, such as the size, laws, and languages of Denmark and
Germany, the number of legal immigrants coming into those nations would handily
surpass the number coming into America. In other words, more people would
legally immigrate to Denmark and Germany if these two nations were more like
America?
As far as foreigners attending American Universities, once again the English
language is the main reason they attend. English is the single most
important motivating factor. Prestige and Quality of American education is less of an
incentive than the English language. The second most important factor is
because foreigners have a great desire to experience diversity (could it be
because America is more diverse than other nations?). I agree about the
diversity. I think diversity has something to do with personal freedom, but I could be
wrong.
Anyway, you've got me thinking. I look forward to your post about health
care.
Jon
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