UNIBO student comments on what studying is like in the USA:
I think I’ve learned to work together, to write papers and to be more clear in presenting and in giving explanations.
I like the fact that almost every class is divided between a lecture and a discussion section where you can discuss directly with your classmates and the professor about the topics analyzed in class. I will bring back (to Italy) a great academic experience. I think that after this year at the University of Chicago I have improved a lot the ability of discussing in class and creating my own arguments in favor or against a theory concerning a specific issue.
Dato che per i compiti c’era sempre bisogno di una mano, ho imparato a non avere il timore di disturbare professori o teaching assistants per chiedergliela. Dopo che ho iniziato ad andare a ricevimento (anche per le domande per stupide) i miei voti sono notevolmente migliorati.
Work was challenging in terms of organizational skills. The level was more or less the same as at UNIBO.
The work load was average. I would say easy, but I found some language barriers at the beginning and a different study schedule that required me to adapt.
The US education system makes you study a lot in a short period of time, hence it’s challenging.
Nelle università statunitensi, in particolare per le facoltà scientifiche, ci sono molti studenti stranieri: ho notato soprattutto cinesi, coreani e indiani. I professori sono in generale molto disponibili a spiegare, ma non fanno differenze solo perché si è stranieri. Stessi diritti e doveri degli studenti americani com’è giusto che sia. Non si prendono voti alti con facilità se comunque non si studia.
I like the fact that professors are more open to discussion and students’ questions or interpretations; however, I think that some professors put too much attention on this aspect and so they risk being too general and not going sufficiently deep into topics.
I liked the fact that the study method was more constant and uniformly spread.
The things I like about the US education system are:
-exams are lecture based
-professor availability
-oral presentation
-group work
-straight and clear thinking
-more challenging
The things that I do not like are:
-less theoretical support on ideas and theories
-sometimes too stressful
I appreciated the openness of class discussion, where students are entitled and sometimes forced to express their opinion. However, this kind of education system is very stressful: you cannot really plan your own time because readings and deadlines are strict. Thanks to this system though, I am sure that I have learned how to plan my study in a more regular way.
Del sistema americano apprezzo la pragmaticità. Hanno molti più laboratori (e che laboratori!) e si fanno molte più esercitazioni. Il sistema dei compiti, quiz, è utile, sopratutto per una facoltà scientifica. Tuttavia, ho potuto constatare una certa mancanza di formazione di base negli altri studenti, cosa che in Italia, per quanto riguarda la mia facoltà, si impara nei primi 2 anni.
Il carico di lavoro dipende dalle materie. Per quanto riguarda ingegneria direi “challenging”. Non difficile, ma costante. Ho frequentato anche un corso di tedesco, perchè lo studio anche in Italia. Ecco, quello era decisamente “easy”.
Being forced to do the homework allows you to get to the midterm or final exam almost without needing to study the days before, something I should’ve done back in Italy….
I think the education system in the US is much more practical, but I felt like a high school student again. Professors know you by name, classes are small and you have homework to do on the weekend- this is something I can’t really tell if I liked or not!
UNIBO student suggestions on how/where to find housing...
University of Pennsylvania
Off-campus is cheaper and more practical if you go for the spring semester (easier to find a room). If you go for fall semester it's better to live on campus!
I would suggest living on campus. I had a great time in Harnwell. It was close to all the academic structures I needed, and I could just walk everywhere. Besides, it was very safe: guards and policemen kept the campus under control.
I suggest to future exchange students to live on campus because it’s easier and convenient. I really liked my housing, even though I had some problems with my roommates. I lived in Harnwell, and I had an apartment of 3 single rooms with 2 other roommates.
Indiana University
I’d suggest living off campus, as dorms are generally more expensive, and it’s quite difficult to cook your own food; moreover, buses in Bloomington are free for all students, so going to campus is not a big problem.
University of Wisconsin
I lived off-campus in the Saxony Apartments. I lived in a single room, sharing the bathroom with another guy. I chose this option because they provided me with short-term leasing (most do not) and it was really near to the school and the city.
I lived in a very good environment for exchange students, in the International co-op house, with American and international people. Most of my housemates were students, but workers also lived there. Students should really consider this option.
University of Chicago
I lived on campus in the International House. I had a single room. My experience in the International House has been nice and I liked the place where I lived. I met many different people from all around the world, and there were often many events going on in the House.
University of Illinois
If you want to make a lot of social connections, I suggest living on campus. On the other hand, if you want to be a bit more independent and be more “brave”, live off-campus.
Suggerirei di vivere “off-campus”, ma dipende dalla distanza con il campus. Più che altro, suggerirei di stare in appartamento. C’è più privacy e più libertà che in una Hall, e si può cucinare come e quando si vuole.