Another incentive that has Norwegian students enrolling in college in high numbers is dollar (or kroner) signs. At home and abroad, they don’t just get a free education, they get paid to study. “The government gives us around $3000-7000 [in US dollars] every year,” Øen says, “It’s nice not to worry about money. As long as I don’t fail, there’s nothing to pay back.”

In Indonesia.

  • 17 % of the college-age population is enrolled in university
  • 19 % of the college-age male population is enrolled in university
  • 15% of the college-age female population is enrolled in university

Stiff entrance standards are an Indonesian trademark, but the hard work required really pays off. Passing the national exam guarantees entrance into any university, and for many country gals, it’s a one-way ticket to a big-city career and independent lifestyle.

Once you’re in, it’s still not all smooth sailing. University of Indonesia graduate, Artanti Wardhani, laments the relative absence of financial backing and scholarships for women with Ph.D. dreams in her country: “Continuing further is a rare chance for [us]. When you are a young woman and doing post-graduate study, it is considered to be very fortunate.”