My Educational Experience

Education in my home country was a different experience than what I have seen in the U.S. I am originally from Belarus and the first thing I would like to note is that education in my country has three levels: primary (grades 1-4), basic (grades 5-9) and high school (grades 10-11). All students of the three levels are in the same building. Classes are held in two shifts: the first shift from 8 am to 2 pm for primary and high school. The second shift is for students of basic school. It starts at 2 pm and ends at 7 pm. Moreover, we used to have classes on Saturdays. Secondly, students wear a school uniform, which is usually official. Thirdly, there are usually up to 30 students in classes, and they sit in rows, two people per desk. Students usually address teachers by their first name and family name. Furthermore, all students study according to a standardized program, regardless of their academic performance or interests. Belarusian schools do not provide an opportunity to choose subjects depending on the level of preparation or personal preferences. School education can be completed in two stages. The first stage ends after grade 9, where students take exams and can try to enter college. The second stage is the end of grade 11, also accompanied by exams, which then allows students to continue higher education not only in colleges but also in universities. After leaving school, many students go to college or university, especially if they are aiming for higher education or a vocational qualification. Competition for popular specialties is usually high. In conclusion, the education system in Belarus is very different from the American one.