Singapore: Lucy Wyse (Our Global Classroom)
Program: Nanyang Technological University, Fall
A typical week at Nanyang Technological University looks quite different from a week in my life at UW–Madison. One major change is that instead of having multiple lectures throughout the week, I typically only have one lecture per class each week. Lectures can range anywhere from two to four hours, with breaks often being provided halfway through. In my four-hour Chinese language class, for instance, we are given one 30-minute break. So often my classmates and I will walk over to the nearby food court and grab some food before heading back to class.
As for the lectures themselves, I would say the teaching format is also slightly different: there’s a larger emphasis on example problems. Especially in my statistics and fluid systems classes, the professors spend a lot of time going step by step on how to approach the problem. I think, in part, this is because none of my classes assign official homework, so this serves as an alternative to get more exposure to various problems.
The only “homework” we have to complete is for tutorials, which are also only held once per week. Rather than completing the worksheet in class, it must be completed beforehand, so that class time can be reserved for going over the answers in more depth. Additionally, instead of TA’s leading the tutorials, it is often taught by either the professor themselves or an associate professor. Despite the longer class durations, I have felt my schedule become more flexible because I have fewer classes per week. In fact, despite taking five classes this semester, I have Fridays off.
At NTU, learning extends beyond traditional classroom walls, in the many study spots provided throughout campus. Many of these spaces are open to the environment, allowing for natural light and air to flow through. As such, it is common for areas to be naturally ventilated, rather than air-conditioned. When studying at The Hive, one of NTU’s main learning hubs, you may even see the occasional bird come by and relax as you study. However, if you do prefer a cooler air-conditioned environment, there are also multiple libraries and study spaces throughout campus that you can go to. One of my favorite recent study spots, recommended by my friend, is the breakout rooms in the business building. Not only are there several rooms per floor, but each room is equipped with AC and a TV that you can connect to your computer to serve as a larger monitor.
Lucy Wyse
Program Name: Nanyang Technological University
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Middleton, WI
The Global Gateway Fellowship represents an opportunity to experience, learn, and make lifelong memories in a new, culturally diverse environment. It will broaden my perspective and allow me to create more inclusive engineering designs for my future projects.
Through this program, I would like to greatly improve both my comprehension and conversational skills in Mandarin. By actively practicing with friends, in class, and at Hawker Centres, I hope that this will better facilitate my learning.
I am most looking forward to learning about the pillars behind Singaporean culture. More specifically, how Singapore’s emphasis on multiculturalism impacts Singaporean society and policy.