Are STEM majors considered "nerds" in other countries?

SeminoleTom
Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:35:33 +0000

I think we are getting to the heart of the answer here.

I work in IT and many American born guys are stereotypical nerds. When I look at the guys from India (did not grow up here) they talk about about things that are not considered nerdy. For example, the Indian guys like sports whereas the American guys will only talk about Star Trek. This is a huge generalaztion and not true of everyone but it does hold pretty steady where I’ve worked.

So what does this tell me? In countries outside the US-- probably the Asian countries— it is cool to be smart as in major in something difficult and pursue a STEM career.

You want another example? The American show The Big Bang Theory. Science guys that are awkward, dorky and socially inept. Doesn’t shows like do more harm to kids wanting to go into a STEM profession? I think it does. I think we Americans get it wrong.