This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Oxford vs. free education.

Scroll to see replies

...

Ahem, some countries have a good enough medical system that it doesn't depend on the university, if you can trust a doctor or not and 2nd: I allways thougt, that in the US they also have a training period after university before they can get recognized as "specialist/fully educated doctor". Thus it would make more sense to look at the clinic where this person received it's final training. But again, perhaps I just didn't know how bad the medical education can be in an industrialised country, so that it can play a role, indeed. :wink:

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 81

KCosmo

Original post by janjanmmm

...

Have you looked into scholarships/bursaries that Oxford offer? I was under the impression that if someone found it difficult to go to Oxford because of their financial situation that they would do everything they could to help out

Reply 82

Lumos

I think it comes down to whether you are more interested in the conomics or the russian/european studies. whichever one it is, go for it.

Freiburg is a lovely place, I've been there several times, but I'll be honest, the university itself and surrounding district is pretty shoddy... have you visited?

Reply 83

janjanmmm

Original post by KCosmo

There is a list of scholarship they have on the application. I did not qualify for any of them. I am neither from EU, nor from a third world country, and my subject is not the most scholarship friendly. Other than that they may offer something at some later point, but I would not expect it. They are very serious about having me sign financial guarantee proving I have the money to pay, though.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 84

janjanmmm

Original post by Lumos

Thank you. As I have already mentioned, I have chosen Oxford, but I still appreciate advise.

No, I have never been to Freiburg, although I know Germany rather well and have traveled through it several times. These parts are lovely, indeed, based on location alone I would have chosen Freiburg.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 85

LETSJaM

If you want to work in the UK then go for Oxford. V. few people in UK will have heard of Freiburg.

<3 x

Reply 86

Nathanielle

Original post by janjanmmm

It mainly applies to the US, of course, although I lived in Britain for a couple of years and as far as I know you are free to select your GP and change him/her at will, too.

For a regular person who is not an expert in the field (most of us) name of the university means a lot more than residency, after all everyone knows Harvard or Yale vs. Florida State, but how much can you gather from Mount Senai Hospital vs. George Washington Hospital?
plus if someone went to top uni you can pretty much bet he will have a much better residency clinic than someone who went into a third tier uni. Then again, no one is stopping you to look at both :wink:

Well, if it is really like that, than it is totally different to the European countries and definitely to my home countries.As there is a State Exam, university doesn't mean a lot and while there are differences for course to course, everybody has to learn the same, so it makes no difference and a slightly better university doesn't mean, you get the better clinic/supervision. (It is in the interest for the whole society, that the medicine course as well as law courses are not as free as others.) That has nothing to do with not being able to choose and if anyway you would ask your neighbours, the other parents in school etc. to find the best doctor. (Not speaking about those specialist, which might be only interested in you, when you are an interesting case.)

Reply 87

janjanmmm

Original post by Nathanielle

Well, if it is really like that, than it is totally different to the European countries ....

This is entirely different subject. I am not going to study Medicine in any case, and the topic here is the choice between Oxford and University of Freiburg.

Reply 88

Nathanielle

Original post by janjanmmm

This is entirely different subject. I am not going to study Medicine in any case, and the topic here is the choice between Oxford and University of Freiburg.

Yes, and I obviously only talked about medicine and not Russian studies, did I? :wink:

And I was not hijacking the thread.

Reply 89

Nathanielle

To get back to the topic:

I think you have two questions to answer:

1. Is your heart set on the Oxbridge experience that you just want to spent this year of your life there? Is this worth the money? If yes, then don't do something else, just because it would be reasonable, before you are telling you the rest of the life, I could have done it, just for me, but I didn't. As long as you don't feel superior, but you do t for your own, than do it.

2. It seems to me, it isn't only the question Oxford vs. whatever, but Economics with an focus on Russian "Culture" or Economics with a strong mathematical component? What do you want to do later? Which kind of thinking attracts you more? Would you actually be willing spending some time in Russia and/or work with that focus or doesn't fit that in your future life? How likely will your PHD be funded? Paying a Master is one thing paying a whole PHD another, just because of the length and your wife has probably also something to say to your future living plans.

Reply 90

janjanmmm

Original post by Nathanielle

To get back to the topic:

I think you have two questions to answer:

1. Is your heart set on the Oxbridge experience that you just want to spent this year of your life there?

Absolutely! If the money was not the issue, then I would not hesitate for a second.

Is this worth the money?

Now, that is the question. I have no doubt it is worth some money, but how much money? And how much money am I really going to end up paying? (Given that if I get government job the debt is forgiven after 10 years the actual amount paid may be as low as $ 45-50 000 total, but am I going to get government job?)

If yes, then don't do something else, just because it would be reasonable, before you are telling you the rest of the life, I could have done it, just for me, but I didn't. As long as you don't feel superior, but you do t for your own, than do it.

True, and this is why I think I am going to go for Oxford. If I don't, I may always regret it.

2. It seems to me, it isn't only the question Oxford vs. whatever, but Economics with an focus on Russian "Culture" or Economics with a strong mathematical component? What do you want to do later? Which kind of thinking attracts you more? Would you actually be willing spending some time in Russia and/or work with that focus or doesn't fit that in your future life? How likely will your PHD be funded? Paying a Master is one thing paying a whole PHD another, just because of the length and your wife has probably also something to say to your future living plans.

I am Russian, so whatever I do will be somewhat related to Russia, and if not - it will be a shame, since I will not use my full potential. My Russian will always be better than my English and my understanding of Russian culture and mentality will always be better than of any other culture or mentality. Hence Oxford program makes more sense to me. The thinking here is somewhat different than it is for most English speakers, since I do not select Russia for some reason - Russia was selected for me before I was born, there is no way I can get away from that. I left Russia for the first time when I was a fully grown man, so you see my point? I am not "Russian by birth", I AM actually Russian.

My wife fully agrees with me on all the points. She is American, btw :smile: