Getting used to a new school is always kind of weird. If you’re accustomed to the way things operate at your university already, you kind of just think that’s the default way it should be done. Even minor differences can throw you completely off. At least, that’s how I feel like I kind of have been. The professors and support staff at this school want to be helpful just like they are at Northeastern, and I’ve had a good experience here overall so far. I think the study abroad office here at Goldsmiths University is a great resource that’s available to us because they’re literally just there to help us with our issues, and since many study abroad students like myself take classes across different faculties, it is extremely helpful that they were able to help us with important admin functions such as class registration and sorting out timetable conflicts.
I can’t imagine a school where the professors aren’t helpful and dedicated to the students’ success, so just like NEU, the staff here at Goldsmiths try to make themselves as available as they can through office hours and email. I think my most interesting professor here is Professor Marsha Rosengarten who teaches one of my sociology classes. She’s originally from Sydney, Australia and has done a lot of research and work to help the fight against HIV and AIDS. She’s knowledgeable and always manages to bring in a wide range of different cultural theories and viewpoints to keep us on our feet. Not only that, but she’s also managed to incorporate discussion about relevant cultural phenomena that our generation is more familiar with and interested in interacting with, rather than just focusing on the standard historical examples that are in the textbooks.
Like I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the difference between school here and back in the states doesn’t seem to be too big, so I’m happy that I’ve got a solid support base for when I need it.
