Here are a few of the university differences I have noticed between my time at Gettysburg and my university here in England:
1. Professors are addressed by their first name here. Whenever someone says John, I immediately look around my seminar for a second before remembering that it’s the professor they are talking to.
2. Textbooks at Gettysburg are required and the lectures are usually based around the textbook used. Here, textbook use in class really ranges. For my English classes, I need to buy the books, but for my Finance class, the professor gave his recommended textbook but then said any beginning textbook would be okay. The first week I ran around a little frantic, as I didn’t know where to find my textbook lists for class. The bookstore does not carry the books for most classes so you have to place an order or order them online. I am very used to the organized system Gettysburg uses.
Image via: http://curry.virginia.edu/uploads/pageImages/Off%20Grounds%20Textbooks%2…
3. Clubs, or societies as they are called here, concentrate on the society topic, but also place a heavier emphasis on social activities. The societies I joined here have the regular meeting but then will go to a campus pub after or replace the meeting with going out to the club in town one week. Most societies will also require you to pay a small fee to join which has led me to appreciate Gettysburg’s clubs.
4. Students are dressed up for class more than professors are. One of my professors wears a sweatshirt to class some days while the students dress more as if they are in prep school. Oh, and sweatpants are never worn, not even to the gym. You can easily pick me out as an American when I wear my sweatpants to the gym but I’d rather keep my legs cozy.
Image via: http://www.foreignstudents.com/sites/default/files/webfm/oxford_meme.jpg
5. It is more challenging to find departments on campus. The departments do not have secretaries and the floors do not have a handy guide (like the English department at Gettysburg does) telling you where offices are. The first week I over enrolled in classes to try a few extra for fun and so I then had to drop two. It took me awhile to find the people I needed to talk to even with stopping to ask for help a few times. Again, I’m sure this isn’t as big of a deal for regular students but I was very confused.
Differences take time to adjust to. After having my seminar in London and feeling totally comfortable, the first week at University was the first time I started to feel like I really had to figure things out. I did figure them out though and have completely settled in. I can’t believe I’m halfway done with my time at the university and will be heading home in less than a month!