It's ironic. In Italy we always had constant oral exams (and still do!) from elementary school all the way to Uni. At least 2 per week in high school.
In an effort to standardize European systems many courses are trying to get rid of them because foreign students are particularly weak in an oral defense.
Are we, really? Do we have King's financial independence, spare time, crazy useless dinners and parties?
Working your a* off for free (yep, in many countries you have a lot of free labour, free internships, slavery-like conditions) for future opportunities™ and still fighting for remote working.
my ancestors worked from home (as sharecroppers the land was literally behind the house) and at least they had lunch paid for by the feudal lord.
I definitely see your point and - as an european outsider - understand and agree with you. However, I think your perspective is strictly linked to the US experience.
University should not only be a place to pursue a career, or at least they should not advise it as such. It's a formation experience in different aspects. Obviously, your perspective change when it's so financially demanding.
Decent? That's quite a lot actually.
CS/CSE with master degree makes 24/30k, after few of experience you can get to 35k but you're on the higher spectrum.
In an effort to standardize European systems many courses are trying to get rid of them because foreign students are particularly weak in an oral defense.
Turns out we were right for once :D