Academic Differences

The academic differences present when going abroad is not always the first thing people think about, but it is quite important. Understanding these differences before departure can help ease the transition. At Nord University, the academic workload is much less than what we experience in the US. Most classes are graded solely on a student’s performance on a final exam or paper with a few grades regarding participation throughout the semester. This can be a little nerve wrecking because it seems like so much of your overall performance is graded on one assignment.

The classroom expectations also differ from here at MC. At Nord University, you are expected to show up to any lab classes but otherwise, lecture periods are often recommended but not required. The few classes that lectures are required, students must attend 80% of the classes, whereas in MC it is closer to 95% before absences will affect your grade. The classroom culture will also differ. Although the classes that I plan to take will be an exception, most classes will have a large amount of students in a class, but here at MC I have had classes with only 10 people. Due to the small class sizes it is not uncommon for students and professors to be acquaintances and sometimes even friends.

Nord University runs on the ECTS credit system which differs form the “hours” system followed in the US. This means that every 2.5 ECTS credit counts as 1 “hour” in the US. If it is a 10 ECTS class, this means it is a 5 “hour” class here. I plan to take a semester package while at Nord University called Adventure Knowledge which will have three modules: Experience of Nature, Experience Pedagogy, and Experience of Art, Architecture and Cultural Heritage. Each module is worth 10 ECTS adding to a total of 30 ECTS for the semester. Due to the cohesive nature of the courses, each will meet at differing times depending on the type of activities that will be completed during that week.

Grading in Norway is quite similar to the scale in the US. Although Norway seems to not have variation in an A, as in A+, A, and A-, an A in Norway is an A in the US.

 A semester load of 12 hours has to be completed to be considered a full-time student at MC. While at Nord University, I will need to take 30 ECTS, or 15 hours, to be considered a full-time student.