[yobbo]

> University gave me the opportunity to talk to world-class researchers during office hours

Neither world-class researchers or office hours exist in most Universities.

"Office hours" is entirely an American (and maybe British?) thing.

[bitmasher9]

If you’re in an American University, then the professors will most likely be top researchers in some particular niche, and they will likely have office hours. I think the “college is a toll” argument specifically applies to American universities that are essentially pay to play.

[sdfsdfds23423]

That’s not true. Source: University of Warsaw. Poland. Not Illinois. I’ve had office hours with world-class mathematicians. Those office hours were required of every lecturer and TA.

[yobbo]

At a top university in Scandinavia, lecturers will rarely respond (or even read) emails from students.

"Office hours" did not exist, but TAs attend scheduled labs/exercises.

Professors were even under instruction to not engage with students outside of scheduled and budgeted time.