Rupert Yorke - College of Social Sciences and International Studies

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Yorke, RupertLearning Log 3 - Reflections about host universityRegrettably entering the final quarter of my year in America places me in an ideal position to reflecton the most salient similarities and differences between life at William & Mary and Exeter. On thewhole, a comparison between two Western, liberal academic institutions would likely yield aplethora of resemblances (and there are indeed many), yet there is a significantly larger proportionof crucial differences in everyday college life which both enhance the American educationalatmosphere and highlight the considerable contrast in basic values between Americans andEuropeans 3 . By placing these differences in the context of the general American system ofeducation, my reflections provide me with a safe reminder that although I do inevitably miss certainaspects of British life, I certainly feel I made the right decision in choosing to apply to study here.In terms of administrative and bureaucratic functions, William & Mary would appear to have theupper hand over a frequently gridlocked Exeter. Admittedly, the latter has gone under sweepinginfrastructural changes during my year away which have almost certainly contributed to the declineof regular communications with the relevant departments. However, it is a testament to theenhanced role American institutions play in the lives of their students that William & Mary appearsbetter organized and more willing to clarify difficulties swiftly. This quasi-platonic bond betweencollege and student is manifested in so many more ways such as the myriad college traditions 4throughout the year and the zealous adherence to the William & Mary Honour Code – such respectand adulation for one’s college is simply lacking in Exeter, and seems to be in European institutionsas a whole. The college life for American students is a very large part of their lives – by no means amere three years under the umbrella of an academic establishment in order to garner some sort ofcareer-magnetising degree.In terms of facilities and the infrastructures of the two universities, Exeter and William & Mary sharevery comparable libraries, IT access, recreational facilities, student clubs, and campus-wide WIFIconnectivity. Whilst it appears some European destinations have recently emerged into the moderntechnological classroom arena, American institutions as a whole are extremely well-funded 5 andenjoy very liberal access to the exact same sort of facilities we enjoy at home. This has proved to bea major relief during my time abroad – the relative lack of bureaucratic and logistical obstacles topotentially hinder my enjoyment of what American education has to offer.One could argue that this lack of bureaucratic difficulty underlines the far superior challenges myErasmus colleagues are facing closer to home. However, the rigorous academic methods employedby William & Mary certainly vindicate such a theory; the most discernible and profound differencesbetween the two universities centre around their radically different approaches to classroomteaching. Exeter’s lecture-tutorial system for Politics and Philosophy requires relatively littlepreparation, a usually manageable amount of reading and no pressure to participate if one does notfeel the desire to. Two years of such an environment in large lecture halls with little input from an3 Judging by Learning Logs submitted by previous Study Abroad and Erasmus students.4 Charter Day on February 4 th was a particular highlight being British – a celebration of the College’s foundingback in 1693 under British royal charter.5 Having said this, word around campus is that William & Mary is reputedly “running out of cash”.
Yorke, Rupertoften muted audience was radically thrown out the window upon arrival at William & Mary.Conducive to the general feeling that American colleges are more like schools (in the British sense)than universities, I have been engaging in far smaller ‘classes’ as opposed to lectures, where studentinput is both encouraged and in fact mandatory in order to foster a high participation grade – usuallynot more than 10%. In Exeter such a requirement is totally alien, and in places such as the Institutd'Etudes Politiques d'Aix-en-Provence, it seems participation is even frowned upon. This providesyet a further reflection of this deep underlying trend is American academics – greater reliance onfrequent interaction and thus a closer college-student association.Forsaking the actual learning method, the content of the courses and what is required during theregular assessments is certainly on the slightly easier side than Exeter. Despite an extremely heavyreading list, barely manageable at certain times6, what is required in papers (‘essays’ in Britishvernacular) is of a far lower standard – no secondary sources and a far more objective summary of acertain argument certainly proved a welcome relief from Exeter’s comprehensive essay criteria. Theexam format also differs remarkably – gone is the formal rigmarole of being escorted to yourallocated desk in a designated hall under strict silence complete with a student ID card, pen and theperennial threat of a £25 fine if your mobile phone should emit even the slightest sound. Instead, atWilliam & Mary, one just waltzes to the classroom like any other day, takes a seat and completes theexam with the professor absent for the full hour or so. It is perhaps another remarkable reflection onthe sincerity and affection American students have for their studies that with full capacity andopportunity to cheat (via oral or cellular means) – they do not even consider it. I have yet to evaluatewhich method I ultimately favour but I do miss Exeter’s system where students are not constantlyassessed and held accountable for daily study.William & Mary is a publicly-funded liberal arts college and enjoys a rich history steeped in prestige,tradition and, as far as Americans can do it, sublime pomposity. It enjoys a hugely respectedacademic standing in the US educational system and thus being able to tell locals and strangers thatone studies there is an often unexpected source of pride and satisfaction. My fellow students escapethe much exported and hugely perpetuated image of the quintessential American college student –spoilt, regularly inebriated and not particularly work-minded. Instead, I find myself mixing withextremely bright students7 who are by no means all from wealthy families but instead retainrealistically big ambitions and have a penchant for hard work and optimism for their future careers.Most seem to graduate and seek employment in the Washington D.C. area, being only two or sohours away, making the study of government an extremely insightful opportunity here.I would strongly recommend studying at William & Mary to anyone – it is a challenging yet warm,embracing environment where making friends is not hard and where it is impossible not to feelvalued by someone or some body within the community. Although the academic requirements mayappear tough and somewhat tedious at times, the liberal, unrestrained atmosphere which the valuesof the college foster provide a harmonious learning environment and a great way to appreciate atruly great country. I look forward to spending a large part of the summer months travelling the USAin greater depth, on the back of an incredibly enjoyable time at William & Mary.6 Whilst writing this entry I am being stared at by a large copy of Mill’s On Liberty looking menacingly on,needing to be read.7 The overwhelming majority of which are from Virginia, as William & Mary is a ‘state’ or ‘public’ school and sohas requirements to admit mostly in-state students, unlike private colleges - such as the University of Virginia.
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Rupert Yorke - College of Social Sciences and International Studies

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