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International Student Profiles
Viva Yue Zhou
Class: 2011
From: China
What are the classes really like?:
Classes are really different depends on which type of courses
you take. Introductory classes are usually huge (relatively,
of course still much smaller than those in public schools)
with approximately 100 people. Other lower level classes,
such as Economics 200 and Core Biology usually have the
lecture size of 40 people. In the classroom, professors do
all the lecturing, but it is really common for students to
interrupt and ask questions. Seminar-style classes are my
favorite. Class size is kept smaller than 25 students, and
professors stimulate and lead insightful discussions on the
reading materials. At first it might be a bit intimidating,
because everyone else is all offering incredibly smart ideas;
but it is easy to join the momentum and speak up, trust me!
What do you do for fun?
I spend most time hanging out with friends: have a lot of
laughters in our Hitchcock stairwell; play friendly matches
of pool and pingpong; randomly venture into
Lakeshore, Downtown or even Belmont...We once even played hide-
and-seek in the Reg a week before the final week as a house
tradition. So, we do have a lot of fun in the university of
Chicago, and of course, a lot of uncommon fun too!
What do you think about the core?
One very important reason for me to choose American higher
education is the liberal arts education here. Where else you
can get such an excellent well-rounded education? We read so
many masterpieces that are crucial in shaping human cultures
and civilizations, such as the Republic, Confessions and the
Wealth of Nations. These are books that I admire but would
probably never read if there is no such classes like HUM or
SOSC or CIV! One of the best things about this university is
that everyone has read similar, if not the same, great books,
and serious discussions or random conversations on these
important pieces not just give each other better
understanding, but also new insights on life.
Why Chicago?
There are numerous reasons. Here are the top 5:
1)Be surrounded by smart, motivated peers.
2)Take a class taught by a genius Nobel laureate, or attend a
speach by a shining academic star, or perhaps just bump into
the best political scientist without even realizing it.
3)Walk through the picturesque quad every day to go to class.
4)The awesome lake and the point where you can see the
impressive skyline of Chicago.
5)Have convenient access to one of the most happenning and
classy cities in the country.
What are people at Chicago like?
What I love most in the university is the people here. There
is not really a Uchicago stereotype as some rumors say.I have
a really crazy friend that spends 17 hours in the Reg on Sat&
Sundays to get all his work done by fifth week in the
quarter, but I also have friends that are diligent workers in
the day and party goers or city explorers in the night; also
friend who is a talented musician and plays his self-composed
pieces all the time; pretty girlfriends that help me dress up
and teach me how to do make-ups; sports-lovers with whom I
play ultimate frisbee and flag football in the quad...The
university gathers all types of students on this awesome
campus and you can find companions in whatever venture you
want to take. There is something in common, despite different
personalities, that is people here enjoy intellectual
discussions and generally love pursuing knowledge
and expand their mind. Life of the mind, indeed, is what the
university about.
How cold is it?
Really cold. I once walked 5 blocks in a snow storm and was
completely frozen. However, as long as you put on many
layers of clothes, the winter is definitely manageable. Also,
snowfight is incredibly fun, you can't miss it!