Beyond the exciting travel and city exploration……we are here to study! All my courses are taught in English, ranging from first-year to third-year equivalent levels. Initially, I planned to use my elective and general education credits to take fun courses. However, due to cross-crediting requirements, I opted for business papers to make things easier for myself!
Course Credits:
As a full-time UOA student, I’m required to complete 12 credits at Fudan. Each 3-credit Fudan course equates to a 15-point UOA course. In total, 12 Fudan credits correspond to 60 UOA points.
I’m enrolled in English-taught courses at Fudan, which typically have smaller class sizes of around 50-60 students. These classes foster a more interactive learning environment, and both attendance and participation are mandatory.
Class structure:
Classes typically last 3 periods, or 2.5 hours total. But don’t worry, you won’t be learning continuously. Each 45-minute class period is followed by a 10-minute break, giving you 2 breaks total. Additionally, the timetable includes breaks for lunch and dinner, so even if your timetable looks full, you will have time to eat!
The university employs various methods to distribute assignments, lecture slides, and readings. Most courses utilise WeChat groups for quick question-and-answer sessions, sharing of lecture materials, and important announcements. While some lecturers use Fudan email or e-learning platforms, many prefer to distribute materials during class time.
Course Work:
Like with any university, there are our beloved weekly readings… But to my surprise, only two of my four courses require us to complete readings. These two courses foster more creative and hands-on learning during in-class sessions to enhance our understanding of the course material and stimulate critical thinking. The remaining two courses follow a traditional lecture format, where we listen to lectures and complete homework assignments.
I’ve found the course workload and teaching styles to be manageable. The teaching staff and lecturers are friendly and readily available to assist with any questions. It’s been fascinating to experience such diverse learning styles during my time here!
My favourite course so far is ‘Entrepreneurial Development.’ Each week, we’re presented with a random, creative, or innovative challenge that must be completed within a timeframe and with limited resources. This course forces us to think outside the box and gain a deeper understanding of how entrepreneurs conceptualise and execute their ideas.
While I previously had no interest in undergraduate innovation and entrepreneurship courses offered at UOA, this class has piqued my curiosity. I wonder if those courses might employ a similar teaching style?
Apart from my studies, I am absolutely enjoying my time here at Fudan and Shanghai!! (…endless bubble tea runs!!)