De Crevecoeur's Ideas Existing in Contemporary America

Crevecoeur is most famous for having referred to America as one big giant melting pot with regards to it's ethnic, cultural and religious origins. He said, 'Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world.' The idea that America will not only accept you regardless of your home culture or religion, is still very existent today; as is the view that your prospects will be broader in America than anywhere else in the world.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11832373

This BBC article reveals that a considerably larger amount of students are now debating the benefits of receiving their education from American Universities. A poll at a recent undergraduate study fair showed a dramatic 50% increase in interest from British students wishing to study in the US. This has been spurred on by the recent rise in British University fees; though American Universities still maintain higher fees than our own, which actually counteracts the whole logic of seeking an education abroad for monetary reasons.

The real reasons behind this decision process could be viewed as being evident when the article states: 'For many students there is the thought that I will get a better job if I have a degree from America,'. This opinion ties in with Crevecoeur's idea of America being exceptional and containing more hope for the future than other places - the idea that it produces the most enhancements to benefit mankind and is therefore more attractive. This is further evidenced in the article when they point out, 'The American university system, where you don't have to "major" in a particular subject in the first year of study, offers students more of a chance to develop as it gives them a chance to try out a range of subjects before choosing what to specialise in.'

This remarked difference in the British and American higher education systems has always been a source of contention, but it appears that some British Universities are now re-evaluating their stance and seeing the true benefits of their students receiving a well-rounded liberal education. Winchester University itself, and more recently University College London, have introduced new Modern Liberal Art degree courses in accordance with this; further supporting Crevecoeur's idea of America doing it first, and doing it better - a role model for other nations.

Crevecoeur also states, 'A traveller in Europe becomes a stranger as soon as he quits his own kingdom; but it is otherwise here. We know, properly speaking, no strangers; this is every person's country.' This idea of acceptance is echoed not only in the initial eagerness of students to travel to America, but also when the students who have already gone there to study talk of settling in and feeling at home, regardless of the cultural differences. One student interviewed is obviously very proud of his working class background in Lincolnshire, and is photographed in his England shirt - the mere fact that he feels comfortable doing this in such a patriotic and sport fanatic nation, proves Crevecoeur's point entirely.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, yet be entirely accepted, whilst also ensuring a prosperous future: get your education, or begin anew, in America.