dbd33

I'd let that drop earlier, but since you raise it again, I think you're inappropriately commodifying education. I do see debt as being a concern and so saw to it that my children each graduated (one degree each) debt free but, to me, university is not about obtaining a certificate from the nearest and cheapest issuing institution. It's about education in a broader sense, both academically, meaning attending the best suited school regardless of location, and, more generally, learning to live away from one's parents.

I suggest that, it's not just the students who commute who suffer when that's the fashion but the institutions themselves; what's killing the UofT isn't just the Asians.

Oink

I agree, by the time they're into their second term you see a big difference between students who live on or near the university campus as opposed to those that live at home and commute. The exploration of ideas, mainly through campus organizations, both formal and informal, seems to be restricted by living with their parents. They don't make as many friends and simply put they don't get the full university experience.

justkidding

What if they live 5 minutes from the campus with in their parents basement?

Anyway, I don't think real "education" is obtained in a school. That's just for getting the piece of paper.

Oink

Education, schooling, training, socialization, enculturation, inculcation or indoctrination; just a matter of interpretation.

cheeky_monkey

i lived in London before i came to Edmonton...and i also lived for a few years in Lewisham SE London..which isnt one of the better areas to live..i never felt any less safe in London as i do in Edmonton..what i do find here is the more prevelant number of gun crimes and drive by shootings that take place..yes they are gang or drug related but they have happened in public areas..and also the murder of a homeless guy on a park bench a victim of a random act.

what i dont like here is the number of deaths caused by drink driving esp by young drivers...4 people killed in Beaumont last weekend all between 18-23..and also the number of people mown down on pedestrian crossings is disturbing.

Editha

Hey Cheeky Monkey. I was born in Lewisham! Lived there till I was 43.

MarylandNed

I doubt that UofA is the cheapest option. For example, it's possible to go to a local "community college" to obtain a degree or obtain credits that can be transferred to a 4 year university to complete a degree there.

I do agree that the benefits of going to university go beyond just the academics e.g. learning to live on your own, shopping/cooking for yourself (if not on a meal plan), doing your own laundry, dealing with a budget and bank account, getting around by yourself (e.g. using public transportation), resolving your own issues, making friends, joining clubs, networking, etc. I refused to consider my local university for those reasons. My daughter also wanted to go to university away from home for those same reasons (we live in the US but she's at uni in Canada). However, living at home and commuting to university doesn't necessarily mean that you lose out on all of these things. I know kids who currently live at home and commute to local universities and they're doing fine with that.

As I said, some students actually do better academically living at home. Often university residences are not the best places to study (e.g. parties, noise, etc.) My daughter is currently at Western Ontario (living on campus) and she's lost count of the number of times she's had to abandon her books or been woken from her sleep because some idiot thought it would be a good idea to set off the fire alarm. Even in the libraries she's had issues with noise e.g. people using cell phones. Some people can deal with stuff like this better than others. And the financial aspect of living at home simply cannot be overlooked for many people - especially those that intend to go on to more expensive higher degrees possibly at universities that are away from home.

Yes, UofT is a big "commuter school". But there are still plenty of non-Toronto students living on/off campus. UofA is also somewhat of a "commuter school" but again there are still plenty of kids living on/off campus who are not from Edmonton.

MarylandNed

With a 17 year old, you certainly do need to be thinking about university especially if he/she is eligible to start in the fall of 2012. The University of Alberta is highly regarded and worth a look. Unless you have PR or Canadian citizenship, you'll be paying the international tuition fees so living at home and going to a local college/university could help offset that. Certainly something to consider.

Jingsamichty

University is just a big con designed to keep the likes of Prof. Novo in booze, fags and mid-range Korean estate cars.

When my eldest gets to 14, I'm going to pull him out of school, take him down to the docks and indenture him onto a whaling boat.

He'll (hopefully) come back 7 years later having learned a lot about life, and probably not too far behind in his schooling. It never did my great-grandad any harm.

dbd33

I assume UofA specialises in something, perhaps the science of pollution control, and that people travel to it because that subject interests them and they want to be at the centre of excellence for it. It would not then be much use to a potential poet to be raised in Edmonton. Unless people just want a piece of paper, any piece of paper, they're likely to have to live away from home. Besides, if you're Canadian and not from Montreal, why wouldn't you want to go to university in Montreal?

Novocastrian

Rumbled.

MarylandNed

UofA is a strong university with lots of good programs and it produces lots of good research.

I've already given you one reason why students might commute from the parental home to a local university - finances. Maybe some want to go to Montreal but just can't afford to. Maybe by doing their undergrad degree at their local university they'll save up enough money to go to McGill for a higher degree.

Also, there are other good universities in Canada outside of Montreal that have good programs in various fields. Maybe some students think studying something like marine biology at Dalhousie (Halifax, NS) is better than studying it in Montreal.

cheeky_monkey

nice..i lived in Malpas Road at the end near brockley train station

tim010

Not sure whether I understand your point on this? Does someone have to have a gun to be a lethal threat? What about if someone has a knife?

Also in regards to the age a 17 year old is likely just as potentialy dangerous as a 30 year old.

Editha

I lived in several places. The nearest to you was Embleton Rd, and also Braxfield Rd.