Studying abroad makes sense

I was recently approached by someone who questioned me in a way that really got me thinking.

I recently got into my university of choice, Northwestern University, and the possibility of studying journalism at a college with one of the best schools of journalism really motivates me to work hard in the coming days to secure my acceptance.

Then this friend approached me and asked: "Most of your friends and yourself have been boasting about studying abroad; what is wrong Bahraini education? Is it a shame to stay in your own country to receive an education?"

Now, this may have bothered someone else but the question really put me in my place and got me thinking.

I would like to make it clear that even as I provided advice and words of wisdom to my readers about the application process of universities abroad, I never intended to discard the admissions process of local Bahraini universities nor have I ever intended to discourage them. Bahraini education has come a long way since the introduction of affiliation and accreditation. However, I do have some concerns which is why I preferred not to spend the next four years of my life here while receiving my college education.

First and foremost, Bahrain has come to a point where education and life itself cannot coincide with one another. What with the Ministry of Information banning certain types of information on the internet; recently going so far as banning blog links. This makes it impossible for me to have an incentive to stay here while ministries and authorities alike behave hypocritically in my opinion.

Also, one cannot safely make a judgment that any student who chooses to study abroad does so because choosing to stay in one's home country may be considered 'shameful'. It simply isn't and any such conclusion should be out of the question and irrational.

That I have chosen to spend the next four years of my education abroad, does not mean I would not want to come back to Bahrain because I would really want to. So it is and so it must be. To the class of 2009: good luck with your up-coming exams.