<p>Interesting post Nauru. While I think it was in response to some previous comments, I think the opposite could be true for what you said. Just as a rigid system where one is forced to take electives is not ideal for some, a rigid system where one cannot or take a very small amount of electives isn’t ideal for all either. You may prefer to take your other activities outside of the classroom but not everyone does and it unfair to say that it is ‘wrong’ or ‘unintelligent’ (not quoting, just paraphrasing, please correct me if I am wrong) to want that. Not everyone knows 100% what they want to take. I am very interested in political systems but that does not mean I am not also interested in art history, fashion, english lit, etc. and what better place to take advantage of people who are authorities on the subject than at your university, as opposed to finding some magical time your schedule. In the end, it just comes down to a matter of preference. I was having this discussion with my housemate who went to Cambridge and she prefers that much more focused system of education while I argued the merits of liberal arts. She felt that liberal arts prepared you for nothing and a lot less ready to get a job in the work force but she had a degree in English and works in theatre so really, it doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>As for US students lacking maturity, I don’t know what planet you are living on but students in the UK are quite similar. People exist in both areas who are immature. There are lot of mature US students and a lot immature UK students and vice-versa.</p>