CULTURE SHOCK - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

doesn’t mean that there is less work in the course of doing a South African degree. Itmeans that one’s studying and learning is much more intensive and you have to workmuch harder in what is usually a shorter time.In addition, for some of your time you have to work on your own, and organise anddirect your own learning. Many Chinese students find this especially difficult, as theyare used to having their pattern of study and learning organised for them. At UPE(from 2005 NMMU), for example, you will be expected to plan your learning andorganise your time yourself.The basis of a degree programme in China is to attend lectures, gather information,and show that you have learnt that information by repeating it in a formalexamination. International universities recognise that students learn in different ways,and so there are many more elements to an international programme. Also there ismuch more of an emphasis on how you use the information that you have learnt. So,as well as lectures, you will be expected to attend seminars and tutorials.A seminar consists of a small group of students with a tutor where you can talk aboutany aspect/aspects of recent lectures and discuss other issues that have come out ofthe lectures or from your own personal research. A tutorial is a session between onlyyou and your tutor where you can discuss any issues related to your studying.You will not always be expected to work and learn just on your own. Some aspects ofyour programme will inevitably involve group work. The tutor will set an assignmentand you will be expected to work with three or four colleagues to handle theassignment together.Assignments are a very important part of studying and learning. They give you theopportunity to research important issues so that they can be introduced into yourarguments and discussions. If, when doing an assignment, you only include23