It is important to accept that fact that Westernized ideals, ways of thinking and how things operate do not translate. In fact, everything may not make sense with the ways you were brought up with and as a result you can easily become frustrated. I have found it best to accept that things aren't run in the same fashion as in the states and then to take things as they come. Having patience and an easy going attitude has saved me a lot of headache this week in regards to my courses.
Here is how I've come to realize how things operate during the first weeks of the semester:
1) There are a least four drafts of the time table (schedule of courses). Zero draft comes out the weeks before lectures are scheduled to start. First draft came out this week when lectures are scheduled to begin. Second draft is due to come out Monday, and then I have yet to find out when third and final drafts will be released. Each draft comes with changes to the time table. These changes can range from what courses are being offered, what times they are taking place, how many lectures/seminars are available and the rooms that they will be held in. Have you noticed that courses are starting while these changes are still taking place? Remain calm, there's really nothing you can do about it anyways so why waste time and energy worrying too much.
2) Lectures are said to have started this past Monday, yet I have not had one actually take place. Apparently this is not uncommon and also not something to worry about. I can only assume that the reason for this is due to the changing time tables. I went to check on my courses according to the first draft with no success, neither students nor the professor showed up. It's as if everyone else knows that it is not necessary during the first week to attend lectures, or that everyone else is just as confused on what is going on and then therefore do not attend. Now I'm not explicitly saying not to attend lectures the first week because I have heard of some that do actually take place, all I'm saying is if you go to your course and no one is there don't panic and try again next time with the newer time table.
According to my time table as of today, the courses I would be taking are: African International Relations and Foreign Policy, Issues in International Law, Peace Making and Conflict Resolution, Introductory Microeconomics and African Drumming. However, after talking with the political science department today it seems that Issues in International Relations and Peace Making and Conflict Resolutions will no longer be held this semester but instead the following semester. So I will be trying to replace it with Politics of North-South Relations. Luckily, I will still be here next semester to take those courses and will still be on track with my major credits for the University of Kentucky. Now I just need to know the times and hope that they don't conflict with African Drumming or microeconomics. Maybe by next week I'll have a more solidified schedule and will actually have a class or two.
As you can see, universities don't operate as they would in the states. By now I would have already known exactly what courses are going to be offered, when I'm taking them, where they will be and would have definitely started lectures on Monday. I am not in Kentucky anymore and this is a whole new ballgame and instead of being upset about the slowness or uncertainty, I have chosen just to keep trying, relax and let things work themselves out.
1) There are a least four drafts of the time table (schedule of courses). Zero draft comes out the weeks before lectures are scheduled to start. First draft came out this week when lectures are scheduled to begin. Second draft is due to come out Monday, and then I have yet to find out when third and final drafts will be released. Each draft comes with changes to the time table. These changes can range from what courses are being offered, what times they are taking place, how many lectures/seminars are available and the rooms that they will be held in. Have you noticed that courses are starting while these changes are still taking place? Remain calm, there's really nothing you can do about it anyways so why waste time and energy worrying too much.
2) Lectures are said to have started this past Monday, yet I have not had one actually take place. Apparently this is not uncommon and also not something to worry about. I can only assume that the reason for this is due to the changing time tables. I went to check on my courses according to the first draft with no success, neither students nor the professor showed up. It's as if everyone else knows that it is not necessary during the first week to attend lectures, or that everyone else is just as confused on what is going on and then therefore do not attend. Now I'm not explicitly saying not to attend lectures the first week because I have heard of some that do actually take place, all I'm saying is if you go to your course and no one is there don't panic and try again next time with the newer time table.
According to my time table as of today, the courses I would be taking are: African International Relations and Foreign Policy, Issues in International Law, Peace Making and Conflict Resolution, Introductory Microeconomics and African Drumming. However, after talking with the political science department today it seems that Issues in International Relations and Peace Making and Conflict Resolutions will no longer be held this semester but instead the following semester. So I will be trying to replace it with Politics of North-South Relations. Luckily, I will still be here next semester to take those courses and will still be on track with my major credits for the University of Kentucky. Now I just need to know the times and hope that they don't conflict with African Drumming or microeconomics. Maybe by next week I'll have a more solidified schedule and will actually have a class or two.
As you can see, universities don't operate as they would in the states. By now I would have already known exactly what courses are going to be offered, when I'm taking them, where they will be and would have definitely started lectures on Monday. I am not in Kentucky anymore and this is a whole new ballgame and instead of being upset about the slowness or uncertainty, I have chosen just to keep trying, relax and let things work themselves out.
Hakuna Matata,
Kimberly
Kimberly
No comments:
Post a Comment