Yan Liu

Class: 2009
From: China
Academic interests: Economics and International Studies

What are classes really like?

The atmosphere is very intellectual and can be interactive or not so interactive depending on the instructor. Taking notes is a large part of the class activity. If you are not a morning person, don't attempt to take classes before 12:30 unless you have no other choices. People tend to scribble incomprehensively in their notebooks when they aren't really awake. Class participation is required for most classes. Make an effort to say something during each class.

What are professors really like?

My experience is that professors are very friendly and open to questions. They have office hours during which you can bump in and ask questions privately. However, they are rather strict with grading and forget about begging them for marks.

What do you do for fun?

Hanging out with friends is where the most fun comes from. I especially enjoy preparing a Chinese dinner with my friends, even though I'm always assigned to wash dishes.

What challenges have you faced here?

Time management is the greatest challenge I have faced. Thanks to U of C's quarter system, you can largely forget about doing last-minute work unless you want to see yourself pull all-nighters before the deadlines. I always keep a record of all the deadlines for my assignments, test dates, meeting times and other stuff so that I can plan my time wisely. Occasionally, I fail to observe my schedule and the result is often disastrous.

How cold is it really?

Very cold. Snows in early November with a temperature of -10 C. Be sure to learn the conversion between Celsius and Fahrenheit, otherwise the weather reports won't make sense.

Do you venture out to the city?

Yes, I do. Chinatown is my top destination because I need to treat my stomach once in a while. But there are lots of other fun places to go shopping and watch movies. The museums here are lovely, and don't forget to attend a concert at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

International Student Profiles

Yan Liu