College and University

Wow, this is a first! First article here at CollegeHumor and I am psyched. Well, I suppose this experience feels way better than calling ‘first’ on all the videos and forum posts I have been on.

Where to begin? Well, my name is Kenneth Tan and I go to a University in Singapore (which is not part of China as most of the Western world will like to believe) called NTU. I am currently 23 and…

Wait, am I suppose to write for some article for people to read and laugh about  and not use this tool as a blog post?

Oops.

Ok, ok, maybe I was confused. Can you blame me? I thought this was a website for University people to get together and hang out, so why not a bit of self-introduction?
Oh, its known as College here and not University?

Double oops.

That’s the difference between the further education system of the States and right here in Singapore. Too many different terms. Its like getting a cow to talk to a moose. Or a cat with a mouse.

So I guess since I am typing away inanely here, I might as well clear up the any misconceptions for these two countries. Who knows, I might become a diplomat once I graduate. (In one years time, FYI)

In the U.S., there are several terms for the college undergraduate. Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior. In Singapore, other than using the term Freshman for the first year, the rest of the time in University is known as being in 2nd year, 3rd year, and in final/penultimate year. 

The astounding use of our imagination is just mind-blowing isn’t it? Thought so.

There are no fraternities and sororities in Singaporean Universities. Any use of such terms would just draw a blank look from students here. We do have co-ed dormitories, more often named as ‘hall of residence’, or ‘halls’ for short. Too bad though, I would like to experience the frat life for myself, though I would admit the two years in National Service could constitute as some form of frat boy life.

R.A.? That would mean Resident Advisor in charge of a certain floors at a U.S. college dormitories. (Refer to All R.A. Floor for further details) In Singapore, the term R.A. would mean a movie for 21 years and above. Rated Artistic: Movies.

And what about the wild parties? There have been so many examples of crazy sh*t going on in College life in the States. The only sh^t we have in Singapore happens when people don’t study enough.

However, there are similar things in this two worlds of further education systems. College life in the United States isn’t all that different here in Singapore. There are always Professors that drone on and on without realising nobody’s listening, letters sent to you asking for donations to your college/university (which always gets tossed in the garbage) and lots of studying at the eleventh hour at a school bench come exam time.

So that’s that. I finished saying what I have to say about Colleges and Unis. Believe me, I had spent too much time thinking about this issue, mostly during classes.

Yeah, I know I seriously abused this function of CollegeHumor, but its not like anyone on this site will read it, right?

Right?