This paper was prepared for course name (example, EDU 1160),
taught by Professor Last Name.
Education provides invaluable learning opportunities and is an important factor for leading a successful life. I feel blessed that I have received excellent educational opportunities, and I would like to utilize my education for the benefit of the community. Based on my personal education journey, the most significant influence during my kindergarten-grade 12 school years has been my parents. My parents always supported me in my education and guided me to perform well academically, socially, and professionally.
Before coming to the United States to start college, I completed my school education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has both public and private schools, and the Ministry of Education supervises both the public and the private schools. I attended a private school from kindergarten to high school. Since the national language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic, the medium of instruction in public schools is Arabic, but private schools teach English to the students. The Arabic script is written right to left, the opposite of English. Most private schools have very high standards and have small class sizes. The education system in Saudi Arabia prohibits coeducation. There is gender segregation in education, that is, boys and girls have separate schools. I studied at an all-boys school from kindergarten to high school. I was a good student throughout my school years and liked many subjects. I am naturally good at Math and love to solve the problems, so Math courses were my favorite. English was also one of my favorite subjects as I enjoyed learning the language.
The education system in Saudi Arabia is very different from the education system in the United States. There was no national standardized achievement testing when I was in high school, so I have no experience with this system of testing. But recently, the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education (NCAHE) has introduced a standardized test in the higher education system.
There are lots of differences between schools in Saudi Arabia and the United States. The Saudi education system puts lots of emphasis on memorization and learning of the course material, while American schools encourage students to think creatively and allow freedom of thought. In Saudi schools, students are given a solved problem and are told to understand its solution while in American schools students are encouraged to think about new solutions. I really like the American system as it prepares students to develop analytical abilities. Also, religious education is mandatory in all Saudi public schools while American public schools do not teach religion.
Different countries have distinct educational policies due to their unique culture, history, population demographics, and system of government. As we move forward in this educational policy course, I would like to learn more about how to create an educational system that works for all students and incorporates the different learning styles of students. I would also like to learn how the educational system is being shaped by the constantly changing technology and the process of globalization.
