Education in the US: Are we falling behind?

Don't hate me for saying this, but yes, education in the US is definitely falling behind. As I don't have any other statistics, I will compare it to education in Serbia, because that is the only country that I am fully familiar with, but I do believe that it is the same case in most of the European countries.

First of all, when children start elementary school in Serbia at the age of 7 they are obligated to start learning English. The development of children's oral skills is the most proficient at the early age and for that reason many of them grow to be bilingual, even though English is not a spoken language in Serbia. Further on, at the age of 9, kids start learning their second foreing language, which depends on the school they attend. I understand that it is different when your native language is spoken by half the world's population it is easier not to be interested in learning foreign languages in contrast to be a native Serbian speaker, but nonetheless being bilingual expands your minds possibilities and, simply said, makes you smarter.

Second, high schools in Serbia are real institutions of education. I thought the same thing is here, but as I've heard so far from the people, it seems not to be the case. When I first got here and familiarized myself with general education courses, I couldn't help but make a comment - shouldn't this be what you learn in high school and then by the time you go to college you already have some kind of idea what you want to do with your life? Apparently not. Everyone's answers were: "But that is high school, you don't really study in high school."

Finally, this leads to having more gen eds than specialising in something that you really want to do in your life. The result is not being fully competent in doing it. The colleges in Serbia prepare you for four years for your future profession. After two years of studying Spanish at a college in Serbia I came here with enough classes for my Spanish major and, I have to admit, I really don't feel like I am capable of being a Spanish teacher.

So, why coming here then?

Good question. As much as I think that the education system in Serbia is way more developed at an intellectual level, it still lacks the technology that the modern world demands. As for myself, I came here to improve my skills in English and Spanish, because there is no school that can teach me that as the real life experience.

As for the other people from Serbia, I regret to say this, but they come here because they find it easier to study here in English then in their home country in their native language. I belive this is the answer to the question in my title.