Exchange Student Perspectives

Why were you interested in an exchange program at Northwestern?: "Northwestern appealed to me because I’ve always wanted to get an American education experience and Northwestern seemed a perfect match with its partnership with my university and its highly ranked courses. Also, its location near Chicago made it perfect."

What is one difference between education in your home country and education in the United States?: "I feel like my home university has a larger class size than the class size here at Northwestern, especially for my math course. Further, the projects here are more advanced and look into current events in the tech industry instead of being obsolete."

What has been the most challenging aspect of your exchange experience?: "There is nothing really very challenging that I experienced. I blended well with the students here as soon as I joined the university."

What will you miss the most about studying here at Northwestern?: "Small interactive classes, challenging machine-learning projects, football matches and cheering for Northwestern, and exchange friends and dinners at Sargent."

Why were you interested in an exchange program at Northwestern?: "I enjoyed traveling but it is really difficult to compromise a time with my family and friends. So I was thinking, why not exploring a place on my own? I would say, traveling allows tourists sightseeing, while exchange program allows students to explore a local culture. Initially I chose Northwestern because it is accessible to Chicago, which is in the middle of the United States and it is easy to travel within the States."

What is one difference between education in your home country and education in the United States?: "The biggest difference for me is that United States students rely on themselves, there are a lot of readings and related write-ups per week. Students in Hong Kong are rather dependent on professors, students rarely read textbooks, but read lecture slides and notes prepared by professors. For example, when I was studying Environmental Law and Policy at Northwestern, it was a bit difficult for me to pick up the study style at first. I only listened to what the professor mentioned in class, but I could only jot notes partially because it is difficult to highlight the main points in a 3-hour lecture. The professor also expected students to do their own readings and understand each environmental acts from the textbook every week. Luckily, the professor was really nice, I asked the professor for help after class and he guided me through until I got a perfect answer."

What has been the most challenging aspect of your exchange experience?: "The campus was really big compared to my home university, I was unfamiliar to the locations so I rely on Google Maps a lot. Exchange students are only staying here for three months, with such short period of time, I would really like to make use of every facilities at Northwestern. I asked other freshmen students who were assigned to a Peer Advisor, so that I can get information from them. From them, I learnt where and how to print documents, the Writing Place, restaurants nearby in Evanston, walking within buildings by using shortcuts, etc."

What will you miss the most about studying here at Northwestern?: "I would miss the students at Northwestern. Students were extremely welcoming, and I have a lot to learn from their stories and experiences, particularly places they grow up in, traveling, interests and school life. I have watched American football and basketball, the atmosphere was really great, students were extremely supportive towards their own universities. Northwestern students have so much patience in explaining American sports to me, so I could experience the enthusiasm of American sports with them."

Why were you interested in an exchange program at Northwestern?: "I originally come from Indonesia and I study in Hong Kong. Having experienced Asian education my whole life, I wanted to try American education and to immerse myself in the culture. I decided to study at Northwestern because it is one of the most prestigious universities in the country and it is only a one-hour drive away from downtown Chicago."

What is one difference between education in your home country and education in the United States?: "I think the difference is that, in America, students are more engaged during lectures and they participate more actively compared to students in Hong Kong."

What has been the most challenging aspect of your exchange experience?: "It was rather hard to make friends with full-time students at first because by the time I came here, they already had their own circles of friends. But, I think that is to be expected since they had been here since freshman year. One of my groupmates I met in class, happens to have gone on exchange to my home university the year before. She invited me to a lot of events and made sure I get exposed to classic American college experience during my time here. In the end, I also met a lot of wholesome people through clubs and classes."

What will you miss the most about studying here at Northwestern?: "I will miss the picturesque buildings and scenic views around campus. Apart from that, I will probably also miss the snow and cold weather. I love how Americans are friendly and helpful – they hold the doors for me and even say “hi” even though we do not really know each other. Also, I feel that people here are more open-minded to different point of views. That is something that does not really happen in Asia in general."

Why were you interested in an exchange program at Northwestern?: "It is a good way to explore foreign and different culture and get to know more interesting people. Northwestern has its deep culture and great academic atmosphere."

What is one difference between education in your home country and education in the United States?: "About the semester system. My home country has only 2 semesters but here is 3 quarters. Therefore, the studying period is shorter and more challenging."

What has been the most challenging aspect of your exchange experience?: "To get accustomed to the different life style and culture. Also the weather."

What will you miss most about studying here at Northwestern?: "The wonderful professors and classmates. I would say I’ll miss most parts of the culture because it really provide me with some new feelings."