Asking Questions after Class

encounterswithnewcultures
Sunday 19 January 2025

Author: Eoin Jordan, University of St Andrews (with assistance from ChatGPT)

Review/editing: Aaron Rotsinger, University of St Andrews

SITUATION: Sarah, an international student from Canada, is studying in Czechia. One day after her lecture, she approaches her professor to ask about some points she didn’t understand in the class. She notices that the professor and other Czech students seem to keep more distance than she’s used to and don’t engage in small talk.​

After she asks her question, the professor gives a brief and to-the-point answer, without offering additional elaboration or asking if she needs further clarification. Sarah also notices that the professor doesn’t make much eye contact and quickly moves on to other tasks, almost as if they are dismissing her.​

Feeling unsure, Sarah walks away, wondering if she had done something wrong or if her question was unwelcome.

QUESTION: Why did the professor behave in the way they did? Focus on explaining the behaviour of the professor, rather than Sarah’s behaviour.

  • The professor was very busy

    The professor felt like Sarah didn’t study hard enough or listen well enough

    The student-professor relationship in Czechia is more distant than Sarah is used to

    The professor was having a bad day

    Sarah asked in an way that annoyed the professor

    The professor expected her to make an appointment to ask such questions

    The professor expected that she would ask her classmates or the teaching assistant

  • What could Sarah have done to make sure that she was approaching the professor in the right way?

    How much responsibility should the professor have to communicate with international students in ways they’re used to?

    What do you think they could each learn from this incident?

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