The key there is proper credentials. I have German relatives and was suprised to learn about the exams that dictate essentially which tier of education you can

The key there is proper credentials. I have German relatives and was suprised to learn about the exams that dictate essentially which tier of education you can pursue. Sure its free AFTER the fact. Italy has a similar system where you must take a continuation exam after year 1 which anywhere from 50 to 70% fail. Its true top American schools don't accept just anyone, but there typically IS a university out there that WILL accept you in America unless you are an absolute moron, and the degrees offered typically have the same accreditation as any other (if they are not accedited then it is a typically considered close to a scam degree that only the gullible fall for), just maybe not the prestige of the school. The catch in America is you go into massive debt.