This week I began my classes here at Westminster University in London. On Tuesday I had a course called Creativity and today I had a course called Introduction to Image Media. Both of which are major classes for me in my study of communications. The classes have difference and similarities to my classes back at home.
One difference is that generally the classes here are much bigger than my classes back at Virginia Wesleyan University. Typically my major classes back home were at most 10-15 students but here the class sizes are well over 30 students. This is an adjustment for me since I won’t have as much personal interaction with my professor as I would back home. To overcome this challenge I plan on visiting my professors more often during their office hours and speaking to them before and after class. I am interested to see how the difference in class sizes changes my learning experience.
Another difference is that here the professors seem to be a bit more laid back, and want you to see them as a friend rather than your superior. For example, my professor for my creativity course told us to call him by his first name. This is new to me and definitely something I will need to get used to.
Although I’ve only two classes so far I’m excited to continue learning and discover more differences in the education system here versus the education system back home.
Mary's Study Abroad Blog 
I look forward to hearing more about how the laid back mentality of the professors affects the dynamic of the class and your overall class experience. How does the structure of the class periods and the coursework outside of class compare to that of your classes at VWU?
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The class structure is different in that my classes only meet once per week for a 3-4 hour period. Rather than meeting twice per week for less time. Also coursework outside of class is not too heavy, in that they don’t assign much homework but a lot of the outside class work needs to be done and organized yourself with not much guidance.
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Have you gotten used to the more laid back style? Have you been able to call your professors by their first name?
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