Antwerp students again criticized: “We will still focus positively on lessons” (Antwerp)
Earlier this week it was announced that university auditoriums still have more empty seats than occupied, the lifted restrictions are ten regrets. According to many Antwerp students, online exercises play a key role. Inquiries in the student area revealed that the intermediate form, the ‘hybrid teaching model’ with both variants, is experienced as ideal.
Students also easily found their way to the sun-drenched squares in Antwerp this week. “Didn’t they want to sit back in the auditorium?” many a boomer wondered aloud. A survey among Antwerp students shows that they do not intend to distance themselves from the option to follow online.
Corona is no longer priority number one at the moment, but it isn’t yet. I avoid reducing where I know the auditoriums will be packed. I don’t feel comfortable there and would rather go through it on my own,” says UA student Matthew Boze (21). For him, the pandemic is still a reason to follow home.
“I don’t really care too much about corona anymore. I think it’s just super ‘chill’ to take home lessons every now and then”, Jonas Janssens (19) tells honestly. He studies business communication at the Karel De Grote Hogeschool. And his fellow student Kay Oterdoom: “You can just be yourself when you’re at home. Lessons are not compulsory and we have practical skills, so we don’t necessarily have to come.”
Both freshmen addressed the importance of classes. “At home you are easily distracted, the professor in the auditorium draws the attention to him. The social aspect is also an advantage. You get to know people faster and you can have a drink together after class, which is more difficult when you are at home. You feel less alone in the auditorium. The good weather will also make the auditoriums fuller. The sun invites you to go out after class, a vibe that we have had to miss for the past two years and now want to catch up,” Oterdoom said.
That is proven by fellow students Charlotte Van Frausum (21) and Lucca Crespo (23). They enjoy the sun on the Ossenmarkt, but go to class at the UAntwerp later in the day. “Perhaps atypical, but when given the choice, I’d rather sit in the auditorium than at home on my desk chair,” says Crespo.
Crespo is far from the only one who prefers to sit in the auditorium. Lise Wouters (20) studies orthopedagogy at KDG was very happy that she could go to the auditorium again. “I was so tired of sitting at home all the time.” That does not alter the fact that she is still a fan of the hybrid model. “The less in the auditorium are an added value, let’s be clear about that. But every now and then it’s nice to even sit at home, especially when you have class in the morning. I’m from Lier and if I have to get on the train so early, it’s anything but pleasant. In that regard, the pandemic was a blessing.”
Her fellow student Aline Villarin (20) is of the same opinion. “In the past two years, I have been able to relax towards the reduction every time. Now that the auditoriums are available again for everyone, it is necessary to adjust again. I would like to continue to follow the hybrid model as it does not affect my points, which are still good.
Chloé Wyns (23) agrees with her friends. The pre-primary education student does think that students have been spoiled in the past two years. “There were practically no obligations. Now for the alternate classes. You have to get up on time, make sure you are not late and so on. That’s kind of a grind that I didn’t miss.”