the classroom culture here in PNU is very much different from NTU's. the fact that i use the word 'classroom' is that all the classes here are very small (about 15-20 students a class). thus, as with small classes, the students are able to interact more with the professors, and the professors will also attempt to remember the student's names.
to me, the atmosphere of the classes here are somewhere between university and JC. its like a university in terms of inter-student interaction. different students from different majors, all unfamiliar to each other hence there is minimal interaction between students. however, its like a JC in a sense that the students greet the professors very enthusiastically and they are proactive in answering questions. classes are usually 1 and a half hours long and nobody brings a laptop to class(which means u cant be distracted!).
this new style of learning is rather refreshing because it's been some time since i fully concentrated during lectures (ah, the downside of having a laptop) and its been some time since i felt less conscious answering questions during lectures.
students here are also very willing to volunteer to be class reps. i was quite shocked to see that when a professor asked for help, within a minute someone volunteered.
My professors are all pretty nice. there is professor gallant who is super hardworking, professor pore who constantly smells like tobacco, and goodness gracious how can i forget professor Shin who left such a deep impression in the first lesson.
The moment he stepped into class, we all kept silent because he looked rather stern. however, as the lesson progressed i found myself swept into his whirl of insanity. he is a 'Nobody'-singing, pen throwing, clock-watching, table banging, drama mama - all in all, the queerest professor i've ever met in my life.
Love, Ruth
Ruth Lim, NTU Communications student. I will be heading to Pusan National University (korea) for an exchange program from Feb 09 to June 09
