I sort of felt that having already lived in France for 2.5 years straight and being part of the educational world (as my days as an English language assistant) combined with all the stories that exFBF told me about getting his masters and what school was like, that I was already pretty prepared for going to college in France.
This, however, was not the case.
The first surprise came on the very first day when not a single teacher passed out a syllabus, and instead dictated the important facts, deadlines, and grading policies. This was not a pleasant experience for my rusty French and me.
I had already heard exFBF complain about classes that lasted four hours, but I thought long classes were a rare exception, not the rule. Most of my classes are at least three hours long (with one class lasting four), and even though some of my teachers give us a ten-minute break in the middle, I have been poorly trained to pay attention to the same subject matter for such a long time. My brain starts to check out after two.
I know that some of the changes have to do with school size. My university back home had 20,000 students and an eight-story library with a room open 24/7. My new university has 2,500 students and a two-story library, which closes at 22h.
Top: UTT (my French school) Bottom: UCSB (my American school)
But even taking into account the difference in size of the student body, my new school seems under developed to provide for the student’s needs. There is never enough space in the library, and nowhere else on campus is open for students to work on group projects (which I seem to have at least one of in every class).
So far I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed with my coarse load and constantly being in a French language environment. One might say I'm experiencing pedagogical culture shock, if such a thing exists.
Beleive me you are lucky to not attend College in Lille buildings are cold as hell, and old as can't be described.
ReplyDeleteAs for the looonnng lessons at least you do not have the 6 hours one ;)
Oh my gosh! 6 hours! I couldn't manage that.
DeleteAt UTT the buildings might be new but it is still freezing... the worst is they've already turned on the radiators but it makes no difference.
Yup was studying English in order to become an English teacher. One of the things that choked me, and also killed my will, is the 6 hours of phonetics in one shot.
DeleteWe had to do 6 hours of phonetics but the teacher decided that it would be a one shot and it was the first lesson on Monday. You certainly know the face of "Lille's Student Nightlife" so try to imagine my face a 7:30 am on Monday in classrooms XD
I'm living vicariously through your studies abroad. The only time I left Michigan during undergrad was to spend a semester in NYC on an internship. Sometimes I feel like I should have gone farther away. Be that as it may, I have faith in your abilities. You'll make it!
ReplyDeleteNYC must have been cool! Thanks for your faith in me! It helps knowing people out there believe I can do it.
DeleteRemind yourself you get what you pay for here! Students pay less than 500 a year = no money for nice stuff on campus. I never really got used to it, even after my 2 years for the masters, but it's only 2 years, not 4, so it's manageable. Almost, lol.
ReplyDeleteYeah that's true, although everybody pays a part in their taxes don't they? I think what I miss most is the feeling of students having a say, and having somewhere to do group work. But you're right; at least it's only two years!
DeleteI agree with Andromeda in that you get what you pay for - I did two years at the Univ de Rennes and was shocked by how spartan it was. But now I am doing my masters and paying a pretty penny and we have a syllabus, e-learning site, quality textbooks, etc. It resembles my American degree quite a bit (though the classrooms still leave a lot to be desired).
ReplyDeleteAnd if you think 3-4 hours of one subject is bad, try nine! We have class from 8-5:30 and 6-8 on Fridays and then 8:30-4:30 Saturdays. That is a lonnggg time to be paying attention, especially when the subject matters are a bit boring. :/
The same class from 8-5:30? Wow. I have class from 10-12,13-20h straight, but it's different subjects which is nice.
DeleteYowsa! Four hour classes - that is brutal! At least you know you will really absorb what you learn instead of having it go in one ear and out the other. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI cannot fathom one class for four hours. My brain would definitely check out somewhere around the 90 minute mark.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and hang in there! :)