I'm a lecturer in Sweden, and i know how you feel :) To quote some students on a list "What's this nonsense with independent thinking? Nobody ever told us we had to do that."
Ouch. As if it's a chore instead of a privilege to get to do so!
Well, luckily my story had a happy ending: my colleagues (who were checking the assignments with me) stood up for me, and after the course other students defended me by saying "finally, a teacher willing to call out the freeloaders! It's so demotivating to see them get away with not doing anything while I put in so much effort and get nothing in response."
The reason my former boss had reacted like an overprotective mother was because the complaining students had made me look like someone who motivated through bullying, intimidation and fear. He takes his responsibilities of creating a safe space for students to learn and overcome their insecurities very seriously, and I respect that. Meanwhile, I have high expectations of my students precisely because I believe they are capable of so much more than they give themselves credit for, and he now understands and respects that, and has given me some pointers in how to get that across in ways that Swedes aren't allergic to. So we resolved our issues too.
But yeah, that was a pretty strong culture clash; in the end it was educational for everyone involved I think.
I can concur. The Swedes have turned into an absolute disgrace. Constant late-coming, talking and other distracting behaviour. They have become a nation of low moral fibre, pure and simple. I say become, because I refuse to believe this was the modus operandi of the likes of Linnaeus, Arrhenius, Berzelius, Celsius, etc.
I'm going through the motions myself, at an institution that shall remain nameless, knowing how kindly they take to criticism here.
Well, luckily my story had a happy ending: my colleagues (who were checking the assignments with me) stood up for me, and after the course other students defended me by saying "finally, a teacher willing to call out the freeloaders! It's so demotivating to see them get away with not doing anything while I put in so much effort and get nothing in response."
The reason my former boss had reacted like an overprotective mother was because the complaining students had made me look like someone who motivated through bullying, intimidation and fear. He takes his responsibilities of creating a safe space for students to learn and overcome their insecurities very seriously, and I respect that. Meanwhile, I have high expectations of my students precisely because I believe they are capable of so much more than they give themselves credit for, and he now understands and respects that, and has given me some pointers in how to get that across in ways that Swedes aren't allergic to. So we resolved our issues too.
But yeah, that was a pretty strong culture clash; in the end it was educational for everyone involved I think.