Classroom help! (Non U.S. players)
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My students are doing a unit on comparative governments (comparing U.S. and other systems) this week and I was hoping to get some input from our non-U.S. players. If you have time and care to help, please respond to me via PM with the following information:
Your name (first only): Country of origin: Language(s) spoken there: Is there a state religion? What is it? Is there religious freedom/tolerance? What is the citizenship process for immigrants? How long does it take? What is school like? Is college free? Can any body go? What is the tax rate? What is the average salary for teachers? For nurses? What services/payments does your government provide to citizens? What are the qualifications to vote? Does your country have a monarchy? If so, who is it, and how long has (s)he been in the position? Does your country have a Prime Minister? If so, who is it, and how long has (s)he been in the position?
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Nebraska has a unicameral with no parties permitted. Is that useful?
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Your name (first only): Christen
Country of origin: Denmark
Language(s) spoken there: Danish, which is very similar to Norwegian and Swedish
Is there a state religion? What is it? Is there religious freedom/tolerance?
The vast majority are Protestants, but religion in general for most native Danes isnt practiced much, it is a faith of convenience. We have a growing number of muslims, which a small minority aren’t very welcoming towards, talking about how the “muslim faith” is destroying all that is good about Denmark. In the last 15 years or so, we as a people have become very discriminate towards everyone who do not look like we do (Pale ass white folk). Of the Nordic countries, we are by far the most discriminate towards them “dark and scary folk”. However, it should be noted that this world perspective comes from the more rural areas in Denmark, while the urban population love their falafel and kebabs.
What is the citizenship process for immigrants? How long does it take?
Takes about a year, and a bill was recently passed that denies any immigrants the ability to bring their families to Denmark for up to three years, which is causing a lot of debate. Despite this, we ensure housing, and pay any refugee roughly 1000$ a month to cover living expenses.
What is school like?
School is free for all, and is mandatory up to 9th grade (when they are 15-16 years). To teach in the “folk school”, a teacher must have a school teacher diploma, where they specialize in two subjects (Math, Danish, English, biology etc. (Bachelor degree). Once the students pass their 9th grade exams, they have the options of either going to the Gymnasium, or take a roughly 3 year practical education.
The Gymnasium is a 3 year long education, roughly equivalent to the US high school. It branches out in three areas, Business, Science or The traditional, where they learn a bit of everything. Roughly 60 % choose the general Gymnasium.
The Practical education is a mix of practical learning and theory, where they earn a diploma as an electrician, carpenter, painter, hairdresser, Car mechanic and so forth. Their practical learning is in the form of an apprenticeship with an actual Master within their field of study.
As soon as they turn 18, they get SU, Government issued support, where any student is given around 200 $ if they live at home, and up to 1000 $ if they are living on their own.
Is college free? Can any body go?
Once they finish their “Youth Education”, they can continue to study, still free. We have a vast amount of 2 or three year educations, where they can specialize in what they want to do. Most 3 year educations are bachelor degrees (Nurse, School Teacher, Police officer etc.)
We don’t have college, but we have The University, where anyone can go, if they have achieved the necessary grade point average, which differs from University to University, and on what they wish to study. They can study for three years, and earn a Bachelor degree (180 etcs points), or study for five and earn a Masters of Art degree (An additional 120 etc points).
Once you finish your youth education, you get 6 years to finish whatever education you desire, with 1000$ a month supplied by the government.
What is the tax rate?
Roughly 44 % of any income is paid in taxes.
What is the average salary for teachers? For nurses? Depending on your experience (The longer you work within a field, the higher the salary, but the starting salary for a High school Teacher, and most other government employed individuals is around 32000 kr, which is equivalent to 5500 $ a month. About 800 $ is forced pension, that will be saved until you retire from the job market (Most do so at age 67)
What services/payments does your government provide to citizens?
Free Healthcare, free schooling, SU (The government financial support for students). The government pay for the roads, secure you financially if you become unemployed, partially pay for day care for your children. Everything besides going to the dentist and some medicine is paid for by the government. Going to the doctor is free as well.
What are the qualifications to vote?
18 of age, and citizenship is all you need. Each citizen over 18 is supplied a voting ticket 2 weeks before any election, with frequent reminders that they should go vote.
Does your country have a monarchy? If so, who is it, and how long has (s)he been in the position?
Denmark has the longest living monarchy, and we are currently “ruled” by Queen Margrethe the second. She has no real power, mind you.
Does your country have a Prime Minister? If so, who is it, and how long has (s)he been in the position?
We have elections every 4 years, and the current Prime Minister has been sitting in office since June 2015. -
Hungary, Canada, UK, Netherlands, and Denmark covered.
I could use a few more, though, if you're elsewhere than these!THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!
Who said playing video games would never be of use in my career? LOL :)
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Want me to answer too? I already covered some bits
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If you would, love, I'd appreciate it!