However, George surprised everyone when he played a popular song, which he had taught himself by following the keys on a neighbor's player piano, and his parents decided that George should receive lessons. He studied piano with a famous music teacher at the time, Charles Hambitzer. He was so im¬pressed with Gershwin's talent that he gave him lessons for free. | 180 PART V Appendixes The Academic Calendar American colleges operate on three main types of calendars that divide the year into terms the semester trimester and quarter systems. The academic year is approximately nine months long no matter how it is divided. The semester system divides that nine months in half resulting in fall and spring semesters. Schools that use the trimester and quarter systems divide the same nine months into three 3-month terms. The summer term is the fourth quarter in the quarter system and enrollment in classes is optional. For most institutions the academic year runs from late August or September to May or June. Many schools operate all year long and students can often take courses over the summer term for an additional fee. There are usually two examination periods in each term one in the middle and one at the end. Holiday schedules vary with each school but there are usually a number of short holidays in each term a longer break in December and January and a weeklong vacation period in early spring. International students who want or need to stay on campus during holiday periods should find out from the housing office if this is possible and if there is any additional charge. Faculty Members and Methods of Instruction Students and faculty members typically interact less formally in . undergraduate programs than they do elsewhere in the world. They often develop close relationships or friendships. The size of the institution and the size of the class will be important factors. Professors sometimes ask students to join them for lunch or participate with them in community activities. Each professor has his or her own personality and style but in general faculty members at . schools are more accessible than faculty members in many other countries. The classroom experience is frequently characterized by discussion between the professor and the students. A portion of a student s grade for a course is often determined by the quality of
