Center for American Education

HE quit his polytechnic studies after a year as he could not wait to venture into the working world.
But having spent two years working, Mr Kevin Boon realised his opportunities were limited without a degree.

He wanted to make up for lost time by embarking on a degree programme without having to return to poly.
Mr Boon, 24, is currently enrolled in the associate degree programme at the Center for American Education (CAE).

The programme, offered by Florida-based Broward College, gives both O- and A-level holders a fast track to US universities. It lets them complete the first two years of coursework required by most US universities and then transfer to a school there.

What made the programme even more attractive to MrBoon was that it is more affordable than a conventional four-year university programme.

The two-year programme costs about $22,000, compared to the $80,000 to $120,000 it would cost for the first two years of studies in the US.

Mr Boon likes the programme's flexibility as he works part-time as a bartender three times a week to earn extra pocket money.

'I work the graveyard shift from 7pm to 5am, so for some days, I plan my timetable such that my classes only start at 1.30pm,' said the former Fairfield Methodist Secondary School student.

He also likes the small class sizes. 'The classroom setting is personal and informal, and the lecturers are approachable,' he said.

There is a broad range of courses to choose from, including French, Western civilisation, business calculus and environmental science.

Coursework is intensive. There are assignments and projects on top of tests every few weeks, said Mr Boon.
An in-house student adviser helps students choose the appropriate academic path and plan their course schedules.

Dr Christopher Hamilton, CAE's dean of undergraduate studies, said its instructors are either master's or PhD degree holders in their fields.

International

He added: 'They are an international mix of educators with very high qualifications and vast teaching experience. All of our instructors must be approved by Broward College before we can hire them.'

Credits earned through coursework are transferable to most US universities, and graduates of the programme have been accepted by top universities such as Columbia University, the University of Michigan and the University of San Francisco.

Applicants to the CAE programme need at least four O-level passes with at least Cgrades.

Mr Boon plans to transfer to a US university in June and major in business. He will apply to several universities this month.

Students are encouraged to consult the advisers from the US Education Information Center (USEIC) - which is managed by CAE ' who will shortlist the best colleges for a student based on his GPA, area of interest and available funds.

USEIC is recognised by the US government as the official source of information on American education.
There is also an English Resource Center, where lecturers are available to go through their university application essays with them.

Mr Boon said he is raring to experience studying abroad.

He said: 'It is very encouraging because we actually see our seniors transfer to universities in the US.'
CAE's 100 over students include those from Indonesia, US, India, China, Vietnam and Myanmar.

'I enjoy interacting with my classmates from all over the world. It will prepare me for mixing with other students in the US,' Mr Boon said.

This article was first published in The New Paper on January 12, 2009.