Describing her high school experience in the United States, a Finnish exchange student put it this way: "It was like elementary school in Finland." Sixteen-year-old Elina wasn't the only foreign visitor to think schools here are ridiculously easy. Surveys show about 90 percent of international students believe classes are easier in the United States than at home.

Editor's note: Ben Wildavsky is director of higher education studies at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, State University of New York, and policy professor at SUNY-Albany. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. (CNN) -- If you want to know how U.S.

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See how a quality internship program along with real-world learning enhances the education students receive. Big Picture Learning brings a series of videos geared towards educators who want to engage students in a more meaningful way.