If the United States is “The Great Satan,” then why come here for a college education? Is our higher education system somehow not quite so evil?
@BelknapPoint are you asking me? I do not consider the US a great satan.
But so far as the government agenda goes, the US as a country is not the great Satan or, as you put it, evil. What the iranian government opposes is the US government. And even then, the reformist government currently in power has nothing against the democrats. What you hear from the hard liners is basically a manner of propaganda.
You must also note that the Iranian government has never claimed technological superiority over the west.They do not deny that the west is years ahead. The government regularly funds scholarships for iranian grad students.
BTW, the Persian word for Satan is not used to imply evilness. Satan is used to refer to manipulators.
Yes, I was asking you. I understand making a distinction between “the country” (which as a broad concept includes U.S. citizens and culture) and the U.S. government. However, I believe it’s hypocritical to voice hate and contempt for an institution, and then to turn around and accept benefits, even indirectly, from that same institution. Iranians who label the U.S. government “The Great Satan” who then request a visa from that government so they can study in the U.S. at institutions of higher education that in many cases receive substantial funding from that government are hypocrites. And to a lesser extent, so are those who would accept scholarship money from an organization but would prefer not to be associated (for whatever reason) with those who decide how the scholarship money is distributed.
@BelknapPoint: There is a student who is concerned that a possible avenue for funding a portion of his expenses while studying in the U.S. may be deemed to place said student on a list of those to be ostracized socially and politically, or worse, upon his return to his homeland.
That the option of studying in the U.S. is still a viable one for students who hail from nations with whom this government has stated and noted diplomatic travails. Exercising such an option does not place the onus for explaining away the legitimacy of the student’s choice to be educated here, or to return to his homeland after the attainment of his degree(s).
Yeah, I get that. If he’s concerned about repercussions, he shouldn’t apply for the scholarship. What I’m saying is that it would be hypocritical to take the money and then say to those that gave it to him “please don’t tell anybody.”
I’m not sure what your point is here.
@BelknapPoint
I find it unfair that you expect me to answer for the Iranian government, considering the fact that I am not even of voting age, without regard for my personal beliefs.
You must know that the hardliners who chant hatred are a small minority, and members of that minority rarely, if ever, leave the country for education. As such, I do not see your point.
As for the alleged hypocrisy of my position, I agree that it is not a very pleasant course of action, and as I said on my original post, I am willing to forfeit any hopes of receiving the scholarship if I decide that the monetary benefit is outweighed by the dangers of the said association, since my need has already been met with a generous scholarship. (for which I thank both my institution and the American public.)
Question has been answered, veering off topic now. Closing thread.