Information on the educational systems of 52 foreign countries is presented, and recommendations for student placement into U.S. graduate programs are given in this first of a two-part handbook. For each country a diagram illustrates the demarcation between primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, and explanations are provided on grading systems, levels, secondary school certificates, teacher's certificates, and various types of degrees. Variations among different schools, states, or territories regarding certificates/degrees and grading methods are indicated. The following countries are covered: Afghanistan, Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada (and the provinces), China, Colombia, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Liberia, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, and Venezuela. (SW)