This video was made in order to fulfill the requirements of American Myth class, American Studies Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada. American Education is the Best in the World! Is it a Myth or a Truth? In our opinion, the United States of America possesses so many myths. The reason is because the United States of America is known as a salad bowl community. Many people from various regions, such Asia, Middle East, and Africa, came to the United States of America and during the process of immigration those people brought their myths. However, there is one myth that has been established in the United States of America long before those immigrants came. The myth is American education. Through this video we would like to discuss the myth of American education. We have already interviewed some Indonesians about their opinions on American education. Some of them state that the United States of America really has the best education system in the world because they apply democracy in their education. The system stimulates students to be more critical and actively involved in teaching learning process. The system emphasizes on practices rather than theories. Our first participant, Mimi, who now studies in Miami, really enjoys the system of education in the United States. The next interview participants are the students of English Students of Class C. When we asked whether they know about the system of education in the United States of America, the answers were various. Some of the students said that they know about the system of education in the United States of America and they wanted to continue their education in the United States of America. On the other hand, some of the students said that they do not know about the system of education in the United States of America and they do not want to continue their education in the United States of America. The third interview participant was Sinta, an English teacher. She said that the United States of America is not her destination in continuing her education. She considered the United States is not a save country for International students especially for Muslims. After the tragedy of 9/11, the United States applied strict regulation in accepting Muslim students to study there. She added that the United State's foreign policies somehow bring this country as the target of terrorism. The fourth interview participant was Ella, an English lecturer. She said that Finland has the best educational system in the world. However, as an English lecturer she wanted to continue her education in the United States of America because it will improve her English. According to her, western education is commercialized and capitalized. The fifth interview participant was Giggsy, an English lecturer. He said that he knew about the system of education in the United States of America. He doesn't agree with the statement that said American education is the best in the world. He added that America is no longer the number one education destination. The last participant, Samodra, a History student of Yogyakarta State University stated that he doesn't agree with the idea that American education is the best one in the world. There is a fundamental value that is totally different between the Indonesian education and the American education. He considers that American educational system is in a secular-capitalist fashion. Religions won't be included as the subjects in both compulsory schools and universities. This is one thing that he thinks is not suitable for Indonesian people who puts religion and moral teachings as the basic knowledge. In the conclusion, for many Indonesians, the United States seems not to be the most favorite destination to continue their education. Most of our participants still put the European countries such as England and Finland as the role model of the best education system in the world. The issues of political policies, religions, and terrorism become external factors that influence their judgments toward the American educational system. Some of our participants even do not know much about the educational system in the United States. It means that they do not really notice the popularity of American education. At the end, it is only a myth that the United States possesses the best system in education. References Greene, Jay P. 2005. Society for Quality Education. http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2013.html. Retrieved at December 15th 2013 http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-universityrankings/2013#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+search Retrieved at December 15th 2013 Watts, Alan W. 1971. Myth and Ritual in Christianity. Beacon Press: Boston.

• published: 17 Dec 2013
• views: 12