The spirit of Korean universities
One of my first culture shocks in Korea came when a teacher took attendance and then phoned everyone who hadn't shown up. Without a trace of embarrassment, she asked why they were absent and why they hadn't warned her. They were international students who, like me, didn't know that here, you contact your lecturer not only before missing class, but simply to introduce yourself. Teacher-student…
Upon arriving in Korea, the author experienced a significant culture shock when a teacher took attendance and then called out those who were absent. Unlike the author, who was an international student, these students were accustomed to contacting their lecturers before missing class. The Korean approach to teacher-student relationships is markedly different from that in Poland.
In Poland, the author rarely got to know their lecturers unless they became their supervisors. They didn't expect professors to remember their names, answer emails, or even engage in their personal lives. However, in Korea, things are quite different. It's common for students to exchange phone numbers or KakaoTalk profiles to ask for assistance, recommendations, or simply to share online articles.
Korean teachers often express interest in their students' lives in Poland, sending webtoon links and even inquiring about the students' holidays with their families. At Korea University, an elderly professor maintained a distant demeanor throughout the year before ultimately ordering pizza and fried chicken for the class.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- The spirit of Korean universities koreatimes.co.kr
