> The American model of higher education focuses too much on teaching and too little on self-study
As an American in higher education, that has not been my experience. I spend most of my time teaching myself, and honestly, I like it that way. Very rarely has a professor explained anything to me outside of a video lecture.
Do you plan your studies in terms of classes or exams?
Do you have mandatory exams with no corresponding class at all? Just a list of books to read and the name of the professor responsible for the exam. And maybe, if you're lucky, some related lectures every 2 or 3 years.
Do you have regular (monthly?) exam days where you can take any exam offered by the department. Both standalone exams and exams replacing classes.
Education gets pretty expensive, if you need a class with lectures (and maybe even teaching assistants) for every topic you want to offer.
As an American in higher education, that has not been my experience. I spend most of my time teaching myself, and honestly, I like it that way. Very rarely has a professor explained anything to me outside of a video lecture.