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.

Blog #2: An American Abroad

In January 2017, I had the amazing opportunity to go on a Travel Study trip to New Zealand. Before that trip I had traveled a lot domestically but barely any internationally. I learned so much on my travel study trip and I feel that I will be able to use most of the skills learned on my full semester abroad. I think I will have more challenges on my semester in Norway rather than when I went to New Zealand because I will be going alone rather than with a group of people I know. I know I have made friends quickly when coming to MC but after researching the culture of Norway, I know there are some social interaction differences. I feel that I will be happy just being in another country and will be able to entertain myself until I can pick up on the social cues around.

I feel that I am rather aware of my surroundings and pay close attention to situations I am in. I think this will benefit me while learning about and adapting to a new culture. I plan to use these strengths to adapt more quickly and more efficiently when integrating into Nord University. I also hope that this will help me develop my skills for cultural assimilation.

I would not consider myself the “typical” American due to my views. I experienced many stereotypes in New Zealand and I expect no less when going to Norway. I hope that during my time there I will be able to break some of the stereotypes held there and also show that everyone can have different views. I think US citizens get a bad reputation in many countries and I think it is partly the job of American travelers to make sure we don’t fall into that bad reputation.

GOALS:

Goals. One of my favorite words. It’s pointless to go through life without goals. There is always something to strive for in every situation. Life is about wanting to better yourself and goals help achieve that. One of my lifelong goals is to experience other cultures and countries. This world is filled with so many beautiful things that can only be experienced when you step outside of your comfort zone. When you leave your happy, protective bubble.  To me, studying abroad is the most amazing chance to experience this. To step outside the bubble and into the unknown. 

My main goal when studying abroad is to elevate my cultural awareness and skills of cultural assimilation. I recently had an amazing study abroad experience in New Zealand. Throughout the entirety of the trip, I witnessed how unaware our culture has become. We rarely stop and observe what is around us. I feel that my awareness greatly increased because I realized how self-important we act. Taking up large spaces and having boisterous attitudes. I hope that in my future study abroad endeavors I will be able to further my skills of cultural assimilation and observance.

I am so happy that I had the chance to first travel with a group to New Zealand before embarking on my own journey elsewhere. Prior to this trip, I was quite nervous about going abroad for a full semester. There are so many ifs and I am more of a confirmed type of person. I was worried of getting lost or forgetting something. One of the lessons that I took away from the New Zealand trip is that some of the most amazing things happen when you are in a place you aren’t familiar with and you have no idea how to get back to the hostel. These situations force you to think and really use the resources around you. I am actually excited about getting lost in whichever city I am placed in. The best food, shops and places are found on your journey back. 

I am a little uneasy about being alone in the beginning, but I plan to make the best of my situation. There is no time to waste! I am very excited to immerse myself into the culture. I find cultures so fascinating and awe-filling. There are so many things that are different in other countries that we never learn about. It is always the small things that surprise me the most.

Throughout my semester abroad I hope to visit nearby countries to maximize the experience. I think this is the best opportunity to visit various countries while saving some money and time. I think this will really enhance the trip by being able to closely observe cultures that are located near to one another. I also plan to embrace all the mishaps. I am not going to go as far to say there will never be a time that I am frustrated with a situation, but I hope that I can, in that moment, realize that I should be embracing the trouble not freaking out about it. Along with embracing the mishaps, I definitely plan to step out of my comfort zone and do activities that I wouldn’t always participate in here in the US. I think by fully accepting the culture and all the “norms” I will have a maximized experience. Stay tuned to see how that works out for me!