A Nigerian student studying in Germany has gone viral after sharing a cultural shock that completely challenged her perception of professors and authority in academic settings.
The Surprising Experience
In a video posted on TikTok by user @big_sosap, the young woman explained how she got lost while searching for one of her new classrooms. After a few students couldn’t give her clear directions, one suggested she ask a nearby professor.
Shocked, she recalled:
“Ask a professor? I couldn’t believe it. In Nigeria, you don’t just approach a professor. You’ll think twice before even knocking on their door.”
Despite her hesitation, she approached the professor — a woman — and was stunned by what followed. Instead of merely pointing her in the right direction, the professor left her own class and personally walked her through the building until they found the correct room.
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“This woman left her own students to help me,” she said. “I was like, so you people are human beings too? Nigerian professors and doctors, you people are not God o!”
A Different Academic Culture
What surprised her even more was the professor’s casual approach to authority. Later, the professor instructed her students not to call her “Doctor” or “Professor,” but simply by her first name — Petra.
Reflecting on the encounter, the student admitted:
“I need to correct a lot of mentality I carried from Nigeria. I need to start seeing people as human beings, not gods.”
Reactions Online
Her story struck a chord with Nigerians on social media. Many commented on the rigid hierarchies in Nigeria’s education system, where professors and lecturers are often seen as unapproachable authority figures. Others praised the German system for promoting student-friendly and approachable learning environments, urging Nigerian institutions to adopt a similar culture.
The video has since fueled conversations about respect, accessibility, and the need for a healthier balance between authority and humanity in education.
📹 Watch the full video on TikTok: @big_sosap
Credit: Allschool, Allcbt
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