Studying in the US: What Are the Best Options For Bermudians?

Why Come to the U.S.?

We’ve helped dozens of families from Bermuda find the best school and college in the States.

But why come to the US?

Let’s first examine the 24/7 advantage of boarding schools for students ages 10-18 – then discuss the benefits of the liberal arts at American universities.

What are the advantages of studying in an American boarding school?

1. Engaging, Discussion-Oriented Classes: American teachers are dynamic and lead discussion-based classes that average 12 students. Instruction is hands-on.
2. Tailored Learning Support: American Schools are designed to push students where they are strong, but also provide tailored support and tutoring for learning issues like ADHD, Executive Functioning and dyslexia. Instruction is highly individualized and less exam-based.
3. A Vibrant Range of Extracurriculars and Sports: Learning happens throughout the day – and night – as students participate in a full range of sports, arts and community service. It’s a holistic, 24/7 approach to education. On a beautiful campus.
4. Nurturing Role Models: Faculty live on campus and teach, coach and supervise your children. They are warm and welcoming and serve as mentors. Here’s my own experience as a boarding school student, longtime faculty member, and ultimately boarding school parent.
5. A Launching Pad to US Universities: American colleges love recruiting international students who have American prep school diplomas since they add to their global diversity but are assured the student has the foundation in American history and literature.

Speaking of universities, why come to the US to study as an undergraduate?

1. The Liberal Arts Approach: American colleges allow students to explore a range of courses during their first two years before declaring a major (or concentration). They actually WANT students to be undecided so they can expose them to the arts, Humanities, STEM – a bit of everything. The point is most teenagers don’t yet know what they want to study – or if they think they do, most will change their minds. So it’s not a specialized undergraduate degree, as in the UK.
2. The Full Campus Experience: American undergraduates live, study, eat and play together in dormitories in the middle of gorgeous campuses. Much of the learning occurs outside the classroom, with peers, in clubs, and in close contact with professors.
3. Authentic Assessment and Research Rote: Learning is not the priority; hands-on research and class discussion are. American colleges offer less of a lecture-based platform and more of a student-centered experience where undergraduates are active in labs, writing workshops and off-campus research. And they are assessed less with exams and more with presentations, portfolios, speeches and other forms of authentic assessment.

The US isn’t for every Bermudian. In fact, if a teenager knows exactly what she or he wants to study – I KNOW I’m definitely going to be an engineer! – then the UK can make sense and saves a lot of money.

But for the student looking for a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities, and more tailored instruction, the US can make a lot of sense!