The "Studying" in Study Abroad

The first week was a fun filled adventure. And then the students were introduced to the "studying" part in studying abroad. While experiencing a new city and culture is important, it’s also important to stay focused on the education I can get while abroad.

Student Life

While school is a little hard to focus on with the whole world out there to explore, I can honestly say I enjoy the classes I attend. The scheduling in Germany is different. Classes are done in weekly blocks instead of smaller chunks spread out through the week. The first week was a little difficult to get through since I was not used to having to sit for three hours straight listening to the same subject. I'm not sure how I like this format since the large gaps between classes makes it difficult to retain information from class to class. I will say that I do enjoy the classes being taught. I am taking Intensive German, European Business Cultures, and Green Business. All these classes teach a unique perspective from the United States and are very though provoking.

“While school is a little hard to focus on with the whole world out there to explore, I can honestly I enjoy the classes I attend.”

Many of my teachers say that they prefer teaching American students because they are so disciplined with going to class and getting their assignments in on time. I think a lot of this has to do with our competitive school system. In Germany it is determined at a very young age what level of school they'll be attending. Children take a test at age 10 that will determine the type of high school they go to, which determines what type of university or college they can attend. In America most children go to a public high school, or a private high school if they choose to. For University or college Americans can choose to go to any school as long as they get accepted by their grades and test scores. This creates a more competitive environment among students to do better is classes. Another factor in American discipline with school is the cost. German schools only cost a few hundred Euros per year. Americans school costs tens of thousands of dollars. Americans have more pressure not to waste their money by skipping of retaking classes.

STEM-emy

I have noticed that the vast majority of students here are in humanities or non-STEM majors. I think this occurs because most of the classes taught here are non-STEM classes it is difficult for these majors to find a way to incorporate going abroad into their schedule. I have also noticed that a lot of the STEM majors are surprised about the difficulties of the humanities classes. Classes give out several research paper to read for each week, we have a large term paper to complete, as well as individual projects to create. All assignments are pretty open ended with no definitive answer, and this seemed to confuse a lot of them. Compared to research where the is a definitive answer, or a correct answer, humanities teach that almost any answer is acceptable as long as it supported with facts and a study thought process.

"I am happy to see that some STEM majors get to experience the amount of work that goes into these classes and our degrees."

For me, being in humanities but attending a STEM school, it was really interesting to see the different approaches and attitudes from the STEM students to the humanity students. Often times at my school humanities are dismissed as being “easy” and “blow-off” classes, so I am happy to see that some STEM majors get to experience the amount of work that goes into these classes and our degrees.