School: A Global Institution

This week I began school at the lovely and very old Collège Saint François Xavier 1 (SFX1) Entering the school yard was like being dropped right into the middle of the popular American movie Mean Girls. In addition to the navigation through communication disparities and social groups, school in Europe has proven to be much different that my schooling experience in Centre Pennsylvania.

In Belgium school is divided into two categories, Primary and Secondary (Collège). Each of these schools has six years that must be completed. In the United States I am a senior in high school and that transfers to year 6 (sixième) in Belgium. Everyone also has a class with whom they spend the majority of their time, and for me, it would be with the students in 6B.

One of the biggest differences that I have noticed between the two schooling structures is that instead of the students changing classes, the teachers change and come to the students. This was one of thing aspects that I was most pleased about because it meant that I did not have to wander around my very large school in search of different rooms. At the same time after over 7 hours of school, the same room becomes rather mundane. Another notable difference is before almost every class we meet in the courtyard where we wait for our teacher to come and lead us to class. Every class has an assigned block where they wait for their teacher (6A, 6B, 6C......6E). For me it feels rigid and overly structured compared to the freedom and autonomy which American students are afforded. Regardless it is well organized and students do not have to wonder when class will begin because it does not commence until the teacher arrives in the courtyard.

My host sister parted for the United States last Thursday and upon arrival was asked to choose her classes. She was amazed with the number of choices that American schools offered. This is something that I feel as though I took for granted. I knew that the Delta Program offered a lot of different choices, at least more than State High, however the course selection here is limited to one period where one can choose Spanish, Theater, or Greek. School here is highly regulated by many different parties and there is not much room for variation in course selection, materials, or to some degree, even thinking. In the United States, thinking and challenging the ideas presented is not only accepted, but something that is encouraged. After my first week at SFX1 it would seem that that is not quite the same case.

One of the things that I think is really strong about the Belgium school system is the work ethic ingrained in the students. There is not a time during the school day that the students are not focused on their work. For example, being an exchange student I am not expected to take on the same workload as the other students. Therefore I have at least one hour a day to do what I please. However, it is not a time for relaxation for other students. It is the first week of school and everyone is already focused on studying and memorizing the material in order to succeed. Impressive.

As a culture, the United States places a high value on the expression of ideas and the things that individuals have to offer. Our democratic system is part of what affords that luxury and I am grateful for it.

Bisous,
Riley