Comparing Engineering Education: America vs Europe

American and Europe haven’t always been as connected as they are today. 532 years ago, a brave captain departed from Huelva, a Spanish maritime city, seeking resources and driven by his thirst for adventure. A few months later, he arrived at what he thought was India. However, as we all know, he had actually landed in America, specifically on a small island called San Salvador. From that moment on, America underwent a huge transformation, and the relationship that now exists between America and Europe began.

They are two very different continents. North America represents modernity and development, with countries like the USA being relatively young and experiencing significant economic growth. Nowadays, the USA has an enormous influence globally—not just economically, but also culturally. This cultural impact can be seen in countries like Spain, where I am from.

I’m pursuing a double degree in Data Science and Telecommunication Engineering, and this academic year (2024-2025), I’ll be studying at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The campus is amazing—huge and full of activities and spaces for students. I’ve already experienced a wide range of differences between my home country and the U.S., which is why I want to share a bit about how the education system differs between these two places.

One of the main differences that struck me the most is how effort is perceived. Here in the States, everyone seems to be studying everywhere—buildings of all kinds are filled with spaces for learning, studying, hanging out with friends, or just relaxing alone. It’s incredible how even just looking at these visually appealing, comfortable, and modern spaces makes you feel like studying. What I mean is that they’ve perfected the use of space. They’ve created environments that encourage students to study, with everything arranged perfectly to make learning more inviting.

Another major difference is how much emphasis is placed on work. When you meet someone new here, one of the first questions they ask is where you work. They don’t ask if you work—they assume you do—and they’re curious about where. Almost all the students I’ve met so far have either done internships or are currently working for the university or a company related to their field of study.

This week is the career fair, and people take it REALLY seriously. The whole campus transforms from a laid-back, sporty vibe to an elegant, business-like atmosphere. Major companies like Tesla come here to recruit talented students. The lines for these companies are filled with students in suits they probably bought a few years ago, all holding folders with their résumés. They’re looking around, a bit nervous, thinking about how they’re going to sell themselves. Everyone is fighting for their future. They know that just studying and getting good grades isn’t enough. Sometimes, landing a good job is even harder, and they know they have to give it their all to achieve their dreams and goals.

In Spain, things work completely differently. Only a few places on campus are really designed for serious studying. Sometimes it even feels like spaces are designed not to encourage studying, like the bars around campus that are full of students. Almost everyone I know studies at home most of the time. The university itself doesn’t really inspire you to study hard. It doesn’t motivate you to perform at your best. Over there, I feel like nobody helps you in that regard. If you want to excel, you have to create your own path to success. Here in the States, it feels like every single person on campus is driven to learn, to study, to get good grades, and to land a good job. They’re motivated, aiming for the top—not just to pass exams, but to get the highest scores. When you want to take studying seriously, you’re not alone. Everyone around you is on the same path. Overall, the university environment here is completely different, and at Purdue, every person and every space seems designed to make studying a positive experience.

In conclusion, there are many ways in which countries and continents differ, but when it comes to education, personal development, and striving for success, the United States is really ahead. Purdue might be one of the most expensive universities in the world, but anyone who comes here with the ambition to achieve something great in life is likely to succeed. There’s a much higher probability of making it here than in Europe, where you have to study even harder and also find the right path to success on your own.