Tilburg University

Fountain at the end of Campus

 Throughout the semester I have been observing all the differences between Tilburg University and University of Waterloo. Although they are quite similar in some ways, for the most part these two universities are very unique. I will definitely miss the laid back attitude of Tilburg students, as opposed to the competition that is so apparent in Waterloo. The 100% finals have the bonus of more free time during the semester, but the stress at the end of the term isn't preferable. I think its really interesting to spend a semester or two in a new school to see things from a new perspective.

My Lovely Bicycle

Copenhagen Building

Albert Heijn: Grocery store I visited almost every day

Tilburg	Waterloo
Nobody sits at the front	People fight for the front
During exams you just start without warning	During exams you have to wait for the prof to tell you that you can start
100% finals	30% finals or no final at all
Small library that is only full during finals	Two large libraries that are often full
Small campus	Large campus
People never answer questions in class	People aren’t afraid to say anything in class
School elections are very important and advertised (which can be slightly annoying when you aren’t even permitted to vote as an exchange student)	School elections are barely noticeable
Each class is in different classrooms and sometimes at different times every week (making it rather hard to keep a routine schedule )	The same class is always in the same classroom at the same times each week
You have to register for exams	You are automatically signed up for an exam when you take a course
You can take a resit (redo an exam you failed)	You only have one try to pass each exam
The spring term lasts until mid-June	Winter term finished by mid April
Midterms and assignments are not common (any assignments given are often on a pass/fail or sufficient/insufficient basis)	Midterms and assignments are very common
Security guards walk around the library	Nobody is ever checking on people in the library
Campus is full of bikes	Barely anybody will bike to school
Blackboard website	UW learn website
Lots of green space, trees, and ponds	More industrial, modern buildings
Professors from many countries (Netherlands, Belgium ,Canada, USA etc.)	Mainly Canadian Professors

Academia Building

 

Library