The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-26
AMERICAN GIRLS ABROAD.
Young Women Who Are ia Pursuit OF Higher
Education at Foreign Universities.


Education at Foreign Universities.
Washington Correspondence asw York Graphic.
Chatting with ex Minister Sargent, asked about
the American girls who are studying the classics
and sciences abroad People who write letters
from Europe tell us all about Americans who are
conspicuous IN society, in music IN art in opera,
and the DRAMA but we hear very little of those
who are studying in the solid branches of the
worlds knowledge The cable letters keep us
posted about Lolita and Minnie Palmer and Lii
han Russell, what they do and what Is thought
of them: and if there is scandal we are sure to
get all the interesting details, but of The Ameri-
can girls who are studying chemistry, medicine
and political economy never word IS said.
There are twenty American girls, said Mr..
Sargent at the University of Zurich, Switzer-
land, studying the higher branches Of science
and fitting themselves for careers. j have two
daughters there, Miss Ella, who is taking elass-
ical course, and Miss Lizzie who is studying the
eye and the ear under the most famous special
gree IN medicine in this country and was licensed
to practice here. but she wanted to learn all TINT
an oculiSt could know, and has been at the Zu-
rich University for some time"
rs co-education encouraged in Europe9a
Not at ALL On the contrary, the doors of
every university in Europe except that at Zu-
rich are slammed in the face of women. The
French admit women TO their medical colleges
but not to their universities"
How does Zurich standf
any on the continent. and women are admitted
there upon equal terms with men in every
respect. They ask no favors and no protection;
they have the same instruction and are subject
to the same rules Sex Is not recognized in any
way. In Germany women are prohibited from
entering the universities; in fact, they are not
recognized as the equals of men. There is no
ambition among European women; they seek no
higher degree of mental requirement, and only
aspire to social distinctions There is q tone IN
society against the advancement of women
against higher education-exeept among the
Swiss, and In some cases among the Russians
There are several Russian girls at-Zurich, study
ing medicine, for there is a splendid career open
to them among the Mohammedans along the Dor
der, where religious prejudice exists against
male physicians, who are not allowed to attend
women patients. These Mohammedans would
rather see a woman die than call in a male ply
stefan to attend her, and the few women physi-
clans who have gone there to practice have
achieved remarkable success, such as to en-
courage many others to enter upon similar
career
Does the Russian government encourage
this2n
Only partially The government objects to
its subjects seeking educa tional facilities outside
the realm, for fear they may become inoculated
with Nihilism.n
How many young ladies are there at Zurieh2a
Il don't know; but there are twenty American
girls, including my own daughters and Miss
Florence, the daughter Of Congressman Kelley
of Pennsylvania, who is studying law. There
are number of young ladies of other nationali-
ties, but / do not know how many. Zurich is
the only place where the higher branches of
science can be reached by them"
But there are many who are studying in
privatel0
Eyes; in the American colony at Berlin there
are thirty-fve or forty young ladies who are
engaged in study with private masters,
taking music, painting, languages and
the sciences with an earnest purpose to
improve themselves, and at the universe
ties of Berlin there are about eighty
young men from the United States pursuing diff
ferent branches of study A great many have
come there alone with letters to me- and have
exercised sort of protectorate over them, and
have been very much interestedin their progress
YOu could not imagine more intelligent and
estimable class of young people than are there
/ gathered. Occasionally I used TO have them
! all at my house, hundred or more of them,
| fer reunion and asupper, and they were the
most enjoyable occasions Of my entire Life at
! Berlin.
Does the government of Germany take much
| interest in themT
1.-THE Emperor takes little interest in anything
but military affairs. The army is his plaything;
| but the Empress is very much interested in
these young people. She told me one day that
she admired them all very much, and was glad
| to learn of their progress. She said we must
| have very fine class of young people in Amer
! lea if those who were in Berlin were fair repre-
I Se1lIdbtfSE
What is the expense of an education at the
4 German universities2'
Comparatively SMALL that is, about half what
| it would be at Yale or Harvard, with the same
\ accommodations; perhaps $500 year"
Would yon advise Americans togo over there
! for an education27
eyes, and no. The languages and some of the
4 sciences can be studied to a greater advantage
| in Europe but | believe that an education in a
/ republic is better than the best that can be
4 cd md i cbr
4 advise young ladies to go there under any cir
4 cumstances, 1t is dangerous place for them,
particularly for those who are pretty or have
1 money. The continent is full of fortune-hunt-
ers, and they are continually on the lookout for
American heiPesses. 1t is very seldom that
marriages with them turn out happily. I was
continually called upon to protect relieve girls
who were entrapped by worthless fellows, and
4 no one, with the experience have had, would
4 advise the sending Of a daughter to Europe for
education.
\ MARRYING JUST FOR FUN"
]