The UK has a unique style of education, which gives it a reputation for universities to uphold. A lot of students, especially international students, dream of studying in universities in the UK, even though they are aware of the cultural differences and diversity. This is something their mind is prepared for. What they are not prepared for is the teaching style of professors.
Cultural shock is the feeling of confusion, discomfort, and disorientation that a person may experience due to the differences in their cultures. But in the case of international students, the cultural shock occurs due to the difference in teaching styles in the UK.
Learning the Difference Between Learning and Listening
Learning style in the UK involves questions and disagreements. Many international students are not used to stopping a teacher in the middle of the lecture to put up their own opinion on the topic. In some cultures, it is considered disrespectful.
Haruki grew up following the same culture. He was a student from Japan who studied at the University of Warwick. He has been taught against to challenge or interrupt a teacher. During the first political seminars, it was uncomfortable for him to watch a student openly disagreeing with the teacher, who smiled and encouraged the argument.
Although Haruki recovered from the cultural shock pretty quickly, and started to participate slowly in the questions. But a lot of students find it hard to question the professors to get a better understanding of the concepts. These are the students who turn majority of the time to an assignment writing service UK to get a better understanding of complex concepts.
Critical Thinking and the Critical Judgement
Study format in the UK encourages opinionated remarks from students. Professors here don’t want to see how good students’ memory is. They want to see how well their understanding is and how critically they can look into the issue.
Sofia, who has always attended heavily lectured-based classes in Italy in Italy. At King’s College London, she was lost when her History module required critical essays and independent analysis. Her confusion increased when she got the remarks on her first essay, “needs more critical insight.”
Sofia reported, “I knew the material, but that wasn’t enough. They wanted my opinion supported by theory.” Later on, she booked sessions with the academic skill centre, learned how to build arguments and used analytical and personal voice in her future essays and dissertation, unlike other international students, for whom dissertation writing service UK is a safe haven.
Freedom of Learning
The UK promote independent learning instead of depending upon teachers and professors to hold their hands for guidance. For the preparation, students often join workshops or other study groups. Supervisors and teachers also open their office doors for the students if they have any queries.
But that was something new for Ahmed. In Egypt, he depended on teachers to come to class and teach them a lesson. Here, in the UK, it was all so different. Lectures uploaded reading lists but never checked if students actually read it or not. He had no idea where he could ask for help, especially with only two classes a week.
Later on, he observed how students look through aisles ofthe library and several other online sites like online exam help to help them prepare for exams. Ahmed added, “At first I thought: is anyone coming to teach me or not? But then I realised, I had to teach myself.” However, he took the initiative and attended workshops and tutoring sessions, feeling a thrill of choice.
When You Demand More Than Demanding Studies
In the UK, the numbers and grades don’t describe the competence of the person. The way they take part in group discussions, the clarity of their ideas, and their enthusiasm for education set their standard as students.
Lila didn’t know how it worked here. She was from France, studying at the University of Nottingham. She felt crushed and thought of herself as a failure when she scored 58 marks. But unlike France, her teacher comforted her and told her that scoring 50s is still a solid pass, and 70+ is excellent.
By her final year, she was confidently using feedback to revise her work and achieve a first on her dissertation. Sofia mentioned in her comments, “I thought I was failing, but I had room to grow. The comments helped me improve instead of feeling defeated.”
When Language Barriers Affect the Study
Several international students are used to taking notes during lectures. Such students come to the UK, they come prepared and have an idea of how the different accents can be an issue during a lecture. But then they enter the class and find out that it’s not just the teacher talking, but the students from every race and culture, and it becomes hard for them to understand and join.
Something very similar happened to Zainab. Zainab was from Malaysia; she went to study at the University of Sussex. She felt her words to be at a loss while she sat silently in the seminar rooms and lecture halls, looking at other people, feeling conscious of saying something wrong.
But Zainab recovered fast, and started to make discussion points to use in her upcoming classes, noticing even native students make mistakes and no one laughs. Various students find it hard to raise their voice and ask a question in such an intense setting. So, they approach online help by typing “do my assignment” at online writing services to seek help.
The UK is a diverse country which unites students from all across the world with its unique education format. Where students find it hard to adapt to the new structure of education, once they understand how it works, they also find it impactful and interesting.
Every culture is unique and beautiful in its own way. Where we believe that teachers are respectable beings and should be respected, we also believe that questions increase knowledge instead of damaging your image. So, don’t be embarrassed if you feel left out at first. Give yourself some time, you will eventually get there as well.
