Fall is still in the air here in Chisinau. I write this blog looking out a window at yellow leaves falling from the trees. Almost daily women are on the sidewalks sweeping up the leaves with what appear to be homemade brooms with small leaved branches on the end that are tied around a longer pole. While the broom looks primitive it is very effective and seems to stay together without problem.
This blog is going to focus on the universty students. Some photos are of them outside the classroom buildings and a few are of the students in my classroom-shared with a Romanian professor. Some of the classroom ones are a bit shocking to look at! Why?
Because they were taken during the exam and they show what we would regard as rampant cheating. Discussion among students, talking about possible answers and of course copying of information. From discussions with other professors--including my colleague who told students at the start to not talk during the exam--such behavior is common. What did they do when she told them not to talk? They quieted down for two minutes then began to whisper to one another and instead of talking, just showed their papers.
People are used to working with a group for an answer and the peer pressure on people who may have the answer is very strong to share it. They probably will be rewarded by their peers--at least recognized and thanked if not more--but the stronger student--I think--just can not take the chance of not sharing their information. Later in their life, they may need help--with who knows what--so they want to have the possibility of going to those they helped for assistance they may need.
The student who has the correct answer gets the good grade. There is little the university does about how that answer is obtained. Can they do so in this society--I do not know that answer? Should they at least try to do so--well, the class I teach is business ethics, so no doubt you can guess my probably response. I would recommend a Code of Ethics for the students and procedures in the exam rooms to make it nearly impossible or at least very difficult to even see someone else's work.
The society as a whole apparently depends on people having friends who will help them out. While we all want such friends, there are some things I would not ask of a friend. But here in Moldova, I am not sure how that would work.
People have responded to the Soviet system that was in place here until 20 years ago and while many people do want to change many things, some people do not want such changes at all and those who do want change do not know how to bring them about in the face of opposition from powerfully placed people and a lack of resouces to be confident in doing things more on your own. I believe it wll take at least a decade for such changes to be widespread.
The students appear to me to be much like WMU in many ways, but some differences are very apparent. I won't go into all thoughts here. However, as at WMU, the top of the class has very good students--one did outstanding on all assignments and I am sure her work was her own. The bottom of the class has students who should not receive a college degree, but no doubt will do so. In between lie the majority. Honestly, I do not know how well educated they are or how they would compete, until I had more information, I would have rather strong doubts about what they could do on their own. On the oher hand, I would have no doubts about the top 10-15 %; they can compete with anyone anywhere. Many know 4-5 languages and can discuss many things intelligently with you in your native langauge--which is not theirs.
My last item concerns shows just some snapshots of several outings. For one, we are at a professor's house for dinner. The professor is the man and his wife is a doctor as is the wife's sister.
The top photo below was shot inside the Opera House--gives you a view of the elaborate costumes and staging. There are also a couple of photos of our visit to the Milestii Mici. The winery, owned by the state, converted some limestone caves to underground roads and storage places for their wine.
If you have some thoughts as to what you might like to hear about next, let me know.
A small part of wine stored in Guinness Book of Record Wine Cellar at Milestii Mici
Lois and Alma
in tasting room in cellar at Milestii Mici
A girl between two guys and several pairs of roaming eyes!
Looks like some conferring to me!
Some university students hanging out!
Below-B and A wih sister-in law-daughter and wife of Professor Scutaru. The two women are doctors and Nicoleta is a senior in high school.
Bill and Alma, Professor Alexandru Scutaru, his wife and sister-in law
Profesor Scutaru's parents with Bill and Alma
O.k. That's it for now.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
