Third Week in Ireland - Academic Life

Primary School in Ireland (middle)

I am going to try to explain the difference in the academic life of a typical American student to the academic life of a typical Irish student in this blog post.  The two academic lives of each student are very similar in the fact that we both have tests to study for, lessons to be learned, and the goal to finish the class with the highest possible grade.  The difference starts in how we are learning the materials for each test.  An Irish professor is more focused on discussion and interaction within the class to get points across to the students.  While an American professor is more more focused on getting important facts and historical points to the student.  Both of these types of teaching work well when wanting the students to do well on a test or exam, but I feel that learning information through the discussion of the topic allows for the students to better know the material later in life.  While it seems that having just facts to learn makes students use to just regurgitating information rather than actually learning the information needed later in life.  That is the main difference that I have seen since I have spent my time here in Ireland learning from the Irish professors in all of my classes.

Secondary School In Ireland

Another big difference that is quite notable is the duration of classes.  Each class is around 4 hours in length.  This is very different from the classes in the United States, which are only around an hour to an hour and a half in length.  This may only be the current classes that I am taking but I find it hard to sit and learn for 4 hours without some sort of fidgeting throughout the class.  The classes are however broken up with breaks and class discussions about important or controversial topics that pull every one into the conversation.  For the overall experience of classes is super wonderful and a great change of pace from what I am useful when taking classes back in the States.

Local Library in Ireland

More Travel Experiences to Come
Kyle Halsted
Ireland Study Abroad