College in Manila? Studying Abroad?

Question

I'm wondering what college life is like in the Philippines?

Currently, I attend a public school in the US.

If anyone has experienced both, can you compare?

I'd really like to study in the Philippines, because I am curious of this part of my culture..

Answer 1

Your experience will be DIRECTLY related to your budget.  If you've got the $$$ you can attend a good school, drive a car or motor bike, live in a nice apartment and have a great time.

The typical Filipino student lives in a grossly overcrowded dorm, lacking in air conditioning and and using a communal toilet and shower, and scrimps and scrapes for every centavo.

Answer 2

I grew up in South San Francisco and then went to university in the Philippines. I studied in a private school for elementary and high school then did the same for university. Anyways, Manila was fun! Though at first I had to adjust to the way of life and stuff. I went clubbing with friends at Fort Bonifacio during weekends, had several dinners along Tomas Morato in Quezon City. During semestral breaks my friends and I went to resorts (puerto gallera, punta fuego, boracay and then to palawan).

When I first came to the Philippines, the first friends I made always seemed to think that I had a lot of money (since I came from the United States). Some girls made me feel that all they wanted was free lunches and entrances to clubs from me. I got rid of those b*****s and then got real friends.

Education is a bit harder. Students tend to be more competitive. I remember how people thought I was weird when I skipped class and didn't study for a test the night before. But this varies from what you are going to major in and what university you're planning to study in. Like if you are planning to study in DLSU-CSB, expect it to be like the United States. It's so much fun and the people are much more open-minded. I studied AB Fashion Design and Merchandising for a year and I loved it! I just had to go back to the United States.. sux.

I first stayed in the university dormitory of my school. We were three in a room which had its own bathroom and very strong air conditioning. My roommates were also from the United States so it was cool. But when I transferred to DLSU-CSB, I moved into my family's condo in Rockwell. My parents bought me a car and I had to drive to school everyday. Warning: Drivers in Manila are crazy! During Thursdays, I can't take my car out coz its license plate number ends with an 8 so I usually catch a ride with a friend who lives around the area. Public transportation is pretty safe and cheap. It just takes a much longer time because they go through the busy streets. I've rode cabs, jeepneys, pedicabs, and tricycles. Ugh, I didn't enjoy the jeepneys much---coz of the pollution. When there's a typhoon, people usually take the pedicab to get across flooded streets. But it's fine. A little adventure can be fun at times.

Well, I hope the Philippines works out for you. If you are a serious student but still want a sort of American atmosphere, I recommend Ateneo de Manila. And if you want fun + studies, check out DLSU-CSB.

Good luck! And I know you'll enjoy your stay in the Philippines. :)

Answer 3

I didn't study in the PI, so I really can't answer part of your question. But I do have to ask why your real intentions are for studying there. If it's for a professional degree that you'll eventually need a masters or doctorate for, then I honestly think you'd be better off studying in the U.S. If it's just to get the PI experience (ie: learning about Pilipino culture, way of life, etc), then it's probably good to maybe take a few classes there for a semester and come back. Why?

Because the quality of higher education cannot compare to quality in the U.S. (Now of course, this also depends on what you want to do, but I'm speaking in terms of any type of professional degree-nursing, accounting, business, medicine, law, engineering, etc) It just can't. The U.S. draws a global community in terms of scholars, researchers, academic professionals that cannot even compete with the PI (Or really any other nation except maybe China and the U.K.) I assume you would want to come back to the U.S. and get a job. It will be a lot harder for you to compete with other U.S. applicants who were educated here at home (the states). Plus, having been in a management position myself, I'd have to ask why this particular person (you) , who is an American citizen, CHOSE to go to a foreign university that may not have the same stringent standards as the U.S.

Case in point: I have a friend who took the MCAT and got an average score, had decent GPA but was not considered competitive enough to get into any of the medical schools that she applied to. But she was able to go to med school in Puerto Rico. However, her credentials are still not going to be up to par with her counterparts who were educated in a U.S. school. It's also going to be harder for her to compete for residencies here in the U.S., which is going to make it even harder for her to become a competent, practicing MD professional. AND she still would have to take the USMLE in order to practice in the U.S.

Sorry, but that's reality, not some watered down, politically correct answer.