When German University graduate student Solveig Heinz learned that from time to time American students have coffee with their professors to discuss classes, she was shocked.
In Germany, she said, students and professors almost never connect personally, adding that in her country students do not regard their professors as friends but rather look up to them more like they are “gods” or a “a king.”
“Here, it’s a much more personal level,” she said.
International students face a myriad of challenges when they come to the University, but many agree that the difficulties do not always lie with language barriers. They must also learn to adapt culturally to their classroom environments.
Heinz said that she is getting used to the type of relationships University students have with their professors.
“I feel like a good connection to the professor — that motivates me,” she said.
She added that adjusting to the way classes are structured and taught has also been challenging. She said students here have much more homework than in Germany, but she feels it is mostly repetitive busy work.
“It’s redundant sometimes,” she said. “You feel like you have to do the same thing again and again and you understood it the first time.”
Senior Siska Tjhin, originally from Indonesia, agreed that the teaching styles at the University are different from what she is used to. She said when she studied in Singapore, the pressure to succeed was much stronger.
“The teachers are just pressuring you; if you don’t do well they make you go to extra classes,” she said.
She said that here she can choose her own study habits and how much she participates in a class. She said she is also adapting to discussion-based classrooms, adding that her language abilities also factor into how comfortable she feels talking in groups.
“At first I was just quiet,” she said. “I don’t really feel comfortable giving out my voice.”
Other students have difficulties with the concepts in their classes.
Freshman Milo Cekerevac from Serbia said some of the vocabulary and concepts such as economics and capitalism in his political science class are difficult to follow.
“They use a lot of big words,” he said. “I’m not really encouraged to ask questions.”
American English Institute instructor Belinda Young-Davy said that apart from language, the casual atmosphere — such as when a professor enters a classroom wearing jeans and drinking a cup of coffee — often surprises students.
“They see these rules kind of being thrown out the window here,” she said.
She added that international students’ perception of university life may also differ from reality. Students often come out of very strict, intensive high schools and expect American university life to be a more laid-back experience, which isn’t always the case.
“The fact that they have so much work is really surprising to them,” she said.
Faculty who work with international students also face challenges.
Journalism Professor Charles Frazer said it can be difficult when international students are reluctant to approach him, adding that he tries to be open with them.
He said other problems arise when he is teaching subject matter that may not be familiar to international students, like American brand names in an advertising class.
“That’s not something they necessarily know,” he said.
History Professor Martin Summers said that at times he works personally with international students who take his upper division history classes.
“In history, it’s made more complicated sometimes when they’ve had very little contact with American history,” he said.
Business Professor Richard Mowday said the biggest challenge is language, but he tries to make sure students are spread out in discussion classes and he sometimes helps them prepare questions for class. He added that their perceptions are an important part of class discussions.
“Every culture faces the same kinds of problems, but we tend to solve them in different ways,” he said.
American English Institute Director Christa Hansen said professors may not always have the training or background necessary for accommodating the needs of international students, but they are always welcome to come to the institute for advice.
“I think a lot of professors are aware and sympathetic to the students’ needs,” she said.