Navigating Academic Cultures

When preparing to learn abroad, many students focus on differences in day-to-day life. But one of the most important cultures that you will interact with abroad is academic culture.

Academic cultures can be vastly different overseas than they are in the United States. In order to make a good impression on teachers and peers in your new environment, we recommend that you consider the following aspects of academic culture that may be different.

• Syllabi - You may or may not receive syllabi from your faculty members. If you do, it may contain very different information and represent different expectations. In the U.S., we view a syllabus as a sort of "contract" between the student and the instructor. In other cultures, this is a much more fluid document that can change frequently.
• Formal vs. Informal Interactions - The U.S. has a relatively informal culture. It is not uncommon to call people by their first names, chat candidly, or show up unannounced at a faculty member's office for help. In other cultures, the interaction between faculty members and students can be much more formal. Be sure to address your faculty members with the appropriate titles and show of respect. If you are corresponding in writing, it is important to use appropriate grammar and full sentences. Shorthand symbols (i.e. characters used in text messages, emoticons, and slang) would be inappropriate in many cases.
• Teaching Methodology and Assignments - Course structures abroad may be very different. American classrooms tend to be highly interactive. Students are expected to participate, give opinions, and debate topics openly. We also tend to have a series of tests, quizzes, projects, and papers that combine to make up the final grade. Many institutions abroad use more traditional lectures to teach course material. Student participation is lower and there are fewer assignments. Students in these cultures are expected to study independently without the added incentive of earning grades for smaller assignments. It is not uncommon to have only one test or assignment for the entire course; which means that you may only have one opportunity to prove yourself academically. In these environments, it's important that students are disciplined in studying and preparing for tests and papers.
• Appropriate Attire - University classrooms in the U.S. do not typically have a dress code. Students come to class in jeans, sweat pants, tennis shoes, and other casual clothes. In other cultures, this is not usually the case. While you probably will not be expected to wear a suit and tie, arriving to class in casual clothes may be highly inappropriate. We recommend that you wear business casual clothing until you can decipher the dress code at your host institution.
• Facilities - Facilities abroad can be very different than in the United States. In many countries, books cannot be removed from a library. Some libraries may not have digital catalogs and you many need to use a card catalog. Depending on the destination, you may not even be allowed to browse the stacks. In some cultures, students are expected to request a topic and librarians will search the stacks on your behalf. Some business schools are a single building. Some host universities have highly decentralized campuses with academic buildings in different parts of the cities. On-campus housing and meal plans are not common abroad.
• Grade Equivalencies and Conversions - Grades from foreign institutions can look very different than they do in the United States. This does not mean that the classes abroad are easier or harder, it is just a different way of measuring achievement. Be sure to ask about the grading scale at your host institution. Grades may or may not be curved at your host university.

For more information about some of the academic differences between Tulane and your host university, please visit the appropriate program brochure page on the web site: https://freemanabroad.tulane.edu.

Academic culture can be a window to understanding the world around you, but don't underestimate it as you adjust to your host country. Talk with peers, professors, your Study Abroad & Exchange advisor, and your host university international office about what to expect.