I'd say good for you. Even better if you keep to the local customs and norms. Maybe try learning some of the language etc. In Germany we have the saying "Reisen bildet" (travelling educates) and I think it's true.

Personally, I wouldn't go to the US for a lot of money since trump happened, I just wouldn't feel safe (and I'm not even in the target group for trumpists). You should expect that the reputation of the USA has deteriorated severely, but that doesn't necessarily mean that people will think you're responsible for that.

Education wise, I'm sure there are some very good universities still in the US, but there are also some very good universities elsewhere. I don't know about the statistics but I don't think the difference is that pronounced if you're not looking for the pinnacle of education.

Overall, I'd say good idea to study abroad and see more of the world. Even if the education was worse it's invaluable life experience.

I think you might just have a "USA #1!" family. New experiences are worth more than everything. They may not like or appreciate what you might learn over there, but you'll have experienced a piece of the world that they never will.

I work at an American college and we encourage our students to study abroad. No matter how good the school is, that's an unteachable experience.

For context, I'm an American. Your family and friends share the opinion of a lot of Americans, including employers. So they're right in the sense that an US degree would make it easier to get a job in the US after you graduate. That said, there's no reason to think American universities actually provide a superior education or experience. If anything, very much the opposite the way our country is going. Academia is being targeted and defunded. If I were starting college now, I'd be delighted to be doing it outside the US and I'd network like hell to build a career overseas so I never had to come home.

They are expressing their insecurity that you will outgrow them.

the reaction I’ve gotten from many of my family members and friends is that choosing to study abroad as an American is inherently a downgrade, regardless of the university or country

That's insane. Pure emotional slop not based in any facts.

You're not casually going to convince them otherwise. Facts don't matter. Here, read this: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/believe

I spent a year of college studying in Europe. It is not a "downgrade" to study in another country, and (from a quick search) it looks like you've picked a really fucking good school. I would definitely recommend studying abroad for everyone who can wether it's for the entirety of your degree, or for just a semester. Just know that culture shock is very real so get ready for that. Hope you go through with this decision and have fun in Singapore!

inherently a downgrade

Crabs in a bucket vibe

NUS is a top 10 university in the world last I heard, unless you're turning down MIT, you're probably better off

I look at it like they want a good education, but they also want something that can't be provided in the USA. It may be a new experience, learning different languages, or something else.

you must be heterosexual saying Singapore is "safe"

My perception is, "oh you're American." That's it.

They're fine. They get teased and made fun of and its a bit of a culture shock but they chill out and usually end up being decent.

What is strange question..

I think it’s awesome. I was lucky enough to live in Germany for three years and it was awesome. Everyone if they get a chance should live in another country for a few years, I can’t think of a better way to do than to study abroad.

Your family says it's a downgrade only because you chose to get a good education outside of the United States.

I'm not an American, so not sure if that matters. However, I never really cared whether someone studied abroad or not. If the person wants to study abroad, that's their choice. I just hope the person has taken a lot of time to research and prepare for it (language barrier, culture stuff, housing, etc.).

They find green (not yellow) grass amazing

Depends on that person. There are Americans who care and integrate well, and there are others.

And regarding the quality of the studying, well, US university quality has taken a big beating in the last two years...

The school matters more in grad school, and more than that its who you end up working with

You didn't ask me as an american, but you are wasting a lot of money doing such in my opinion, not the least in singapore, which might be the most expensive city in the world iirc.

That they’re adventurous, curious, and open minded about other cultures. They will be far richer for the experience.

College/Universities in the US are mostly about networking, you pay mainly for the connections you make.

The education is a good bonus.

Education outside of the US seems to mostly favor the education part with the networking as a good bonus.

Experiencing a new culture in your formative years is of massive use, especially if you get a decent grip of the language and continue to use it later.

New cultures, new ideas, new norms, new languages, new foods, new concepts, these are all things you will get by studying abroad.

Even if your actual studies doesn't lead to a specific career in that field, the cultural and language exchange will always be beneficial.

Those are skills that can be applied to any industry/sector.

Good for you, is what I think! You're one step closer to escaping this blooming fascist hellscape of a failed society.

I was wondering if it's an American dismissiveness thing, but it looks like other Americans in this thread think that's nuts, too.

If you turned down Harvard, sure, maybe it's a downgrade. I have to think a community or private school nobody's ever heard of would be worse. Unless you're planning to go back to the US to work, in which case US-first might bite you.

I support any person who leaves their hometown and expands their horizons. More people should leave their little small town comfort zones and learn about the rest of the world that exists around them.

https://i0.wp.com/straightfromamovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/get-out-movie.jpg

I think it's a wonderful idea.

Could i ask out of curiosity, why were you looking specifically for a school in Asia? That's cool

As an American, I see them as people who have more money than me.

Only one? Why not study all broads?

I spent a few years abroad as a American teen. I spent time with host families all over the UK and Ireland, a brief time in Prague. This was quite awhile ago now but one of the things I found comforting while I was there was that they were often more ignorant of America than we were of Europe. The terminally online Europeans you find on Reddit and Lemmy are insufferable. But the average European you meet on the ground is just as down to earth and provincial in knowledge as any flyover state American.