Cultural Trade
The bac is probably the most important aspect of the french educational system because it determines who is able to go on to university and who isn't. That being said, I understood this idea on paper at Allegheny last semester. I thought that it was just another aspect of French culture that was different. However, I never understood how education affected the French youth until I talked to my host father first hand. He explained to me that education, like in most countries, affect the job market but it is even more so in France. If one isn't able to go onto university, they are forced to try to find jobs as laborers. If they are lucky enough to find a job, they can really never be promoted becuase they don't have the upper level cerfications that are critical to getting a promotion and earning a better salary. There are also not enough jobs in France for all of their citizens to be employed. So, even if one goes to univeristy, it is not guranteed they will work but at least they have a better chance than those who couldn't go to university. This is largely due to the fact that job security is permanent. If one gets a job, they stay at that job, in general, until they retire. Those who are employed are quite lucky because they will always have some sort of an income. But, what about the rest? Homelessness among the youth is more prevelant here than in the states. It is far more likely that walking down the street, one will see a homeless person who is between the ages of 22-27 years old than any other age group. This exchange really puts into perspective how many opportunities the United States educational system gives students. Everyone is given the option to go to university. If one can't pay for it, there are economic means. If one doesn't go, it is by choice. For the rest of the world, especially France, this is not the case. One has to be part of the best, if they want to go to university, have a chance at getting a good job and live moderately well. I do not think that American students realize what how many options we are actually given. We tend to take college for granted, something that everyone does. What we don't realize is how lucky we are that there is no exam in the United States that utterly determines ones future. For me, this has been a critical cultural exchange because it makes me appreciate the opportunities I have been given. I have also gained so much more respect for those who have gone through the French educational system with a university degree or without one. I understand now how competitive and hard it can actually be here and how hard the students actually have to work just to get to university. It puts into perpsective that the American youth shouldn't take for granted what has been given to them and should be appreciative of their education.