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David Killick, study abroad officer, Leeds Metropolitan University |
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David Killick, head of the study abroad office at Leeds Metropolitan University, took the time to answer questions on topics from UK study styles to nightlife to help you get a feel for what life is really like as an international student.
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What are the biggest differences between UK and US learning styles? |
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"They often find that at first glance the course seems undemanding as contact time is relatively short. Then they are rather hard hit when they realize how much independent learning, group work, project work and so on they have to do.
"... It's not unusual for students to find their grades are lower than they expected, and their defense will be 'I attended all the classes - more than some of the British students who got higher grades.' In the UK, attendance often counts for very little - it is showing through the assessed work that you have met the learning outcomes."
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What examples of culture shock do US students experience when first coming to the UK and to Leeds Met? |
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"One thing (though one they mostly adapt to pretty quickly!) is the legal age for pubs and clubs. It’s 18 years, and forms a big part of student life in the UK.
"For most international students, just the experience of being 'exotic.' I mean, they are suddenly the 'other' - people think of them as 'the American' rather than as an individual - and they are expected to like and to know everything about their home country!"
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What are the popular social activities in the UK? |
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"Clubs are very popular - local live bands, dancing, that kind of thing.
"Lots of students are keen members of student union clubs- such as soccer or canoeing, hiking and so on. In the UK these clubs are for everybody - it really does not matter if you have never sat in a canoe before, for example. Lots of students join these clubs to learn about the sports, and then have a great social experience with other students at the same time."
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What are the most common fears that US students say they have about coming to the UK that, when they arrive, turn out to be unwarranted? |
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"Maybe one thing is that some think the British accent sounds very proper or posh, and maybe they will be thought of as poor communicators because of their American accents.
"Of course, we have professors who speak in all kinds of accents, and students from all over the world (we have 90 nationalities at Leeds Met this year), so this really is not an issue!"
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How do US students first meet new friends? |
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"There's usually a bit of mix and meet through an [orientation] programme, but this often only involves international students. And there's so much to take in and take on at the start of their time here that I don't think many of these initial meetings really last.
"Most students seem to make their contacts through their flatmates. And it doesn't take long for informal networks to build up, as long as the students are self-confident enough to get involved with all the informal activities going on. British students make lots of their contacts through taking part in the clubs and societies run by the student union. This is a cheap and really effective way to meet some Brits."
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