system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is university called "college" and college called "community college" in the United States?
gpt
The meaning of the term 'college' varies a lot between countries.

In Canada, a college is sort of like a technical or trade school that you attend at around age 18. It's a post-secondary education path similar to university but the material is more practical/hands-on and specialized. The term 'college' is also sometimes used to refer to schools within a larger school (e.g. a college within a university).

In the UK, the term college usually refers to a bridging school that students attend around the age of 16. It may help prepare and qualify students for post-secondary education (e.g. at a university) once they reach age ~18.

In Australia, the term college may be used as a more general term for many different types of schools, including schools that are primarily geared toward teaching children under 16 years of age.

In the US, the term college basically just refers to any post-secondary institution of education whether that be a university, a technical/trade school, a 'community college' or what have you. Like Canada, the term 'college' is also sometimes used specifically refer to a 'school within a school' at universities that are made up of multiple colleges.