Comparing Chinese Students and American Students’ Life in University
In 2008, I came to the United States for studying. Before I come to the United States and study in American university, I studied in a university for one year in my home city in China. I have been study in American university for three years. I found some differences and similarities between Chinese students and American students’ life in university. They have different class rules, life rules, and life styles, but also have similar class rules, life rules and life styles.
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| Nanjing Normal University |
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| SCSU |
First of all, there are some different class rules between Chinese universities and American universities. In China, when you are in the class and you want to go to restroom, you need to raise your hand and the ask professor. If the professor allows your need, you can go to restroom. If not, you cannot go. In the class when the professor asks a question and you want to answer this question, you need to raise your hand and stand up to answer this question. However, in American universities when you are in the class and you want to go to restroom, you can go, and do not raise your hand to ask your professor. In the class when the professor asks a question then you want to answer this question, you need not to raise your hand, and stand up to answer the question. Why Chinese university and American university have different class rules? We have a different culture and different traditions. China has a long history, and from antiquity to now China pays attention for traditions. In the class you raise your hand and, stand up to answer question. This is tradition, and means you defer to your professor. On the other hand, America is a freedom country. Land this reflects in the classroom.
Chinese universities and American universities also have similar class rules. In Chinese universities and American universities attendance and participation are very important. The students must go to class on time. If students go to class late, students will lost the points of attendance and participation. In Chinese universities and American universities, students cannot absent class. If students absent class, the students will lost the points of attendance and participation. This is my Education 200 class attendance rules in spring 2011 Semester in SCSU. “Attendance: In ED 200, much of your learning will come from classroom discussion and participation in class activities. You are expected to take on the professional role and in this professional setting attendance and promptness are required. Absences must be pre-arranged or excused, and you will receive a failing grade after two absences. As soon as you know that you must miss or arrive late to a class, call or email me.” (Hornstein, Steve. Department of Teacher Development, St. Cloud State University ED 200 Introduction to Elementary Education Spring 2010 – Section 2 Syllabus. 2011. Print.) This is my Computer in Society class attendance rules in fall 2007 Semester in Nanjing Normal University. “ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED: While role will be taken every day, you are still required to attend class every day. Missing class on days that we have in-class assignments will result in a zero for that assignment. These assignments cannot be made up. If you have a disability that requires modification of the seating, testing or some other feature of the class, please see me after class or during my office hours.” (Wang, Huizhong. Nanjing Normal University Computer in Society, Fall 2007-Section 1 Syllabus.2007. Print.)
Chinese universities and American universities have some different life rules. In Chinese universities, we have male dorms and female dorms and boys and girls live in different dorms. Boys cannot go to girls’ dorm, and girls cannot go to boys’ dorm. However, in America, many universities do not have male dorm and female dorm. Boys and girls live in the one dorm building, but live on different floors. Also, boys can go to girls’ floor, and girls can go to boys’ floor. Some American universities split boys and girls in different dorm, but boys can go to girls’ dorm, and girls can go to boys’ dorm. In Chinese universities, when you live in a dorm, need to go back to your dorm before a time at night. If you go back to your dorm after that time, you cannot enter your dorm, because we have dorm administrator he or she locks dorm’s door at that time. On the other hand, in American universities, you can go back your dorm anytime that you want to go back your dorm. In Chinese universities, students cannot bring televisions, fridges, and video games to dorms, but in American universities students can bring these things to their dorm. Why Chinese universities and American universities have some different life rules? Because we have different cultures, and different education system, so we have these differences. China is an eastern country in Asia. Because of culture China is a conservative country. Therefore, Chinese universities have male dorms and female dorms, and boys cannot go to girls’ dorm, and girls cannot go to boys’ dorm. However, because of culture and government the United States is a western country, freedom country, and exoteric country. Also we have different education system. Chinese think university that is a place to study, and think televisions and video games affect students’ studying and rest. Therefore, students cannot bring television and video game machine to dorm. However, the United States is a country that valves freedom. Americans think students can control themselves, and the university is not just for studying. The students also need to have good a life. Accordingly, students can bring televisions, fridges, and video games to dorms.
Chinese universities and American universities have some similar life rules. In Chinese universities and American universities, students cannot drink wine in dorms, and students also cannot smoke in dorms. “Minnesota Statewide smoking ban: On October 1, 2007, the Freedom to Breathe Act went into effect, expanding the existing Clean Indoor Air Act of 1975 so as to ban smoking statewide in all enclosed workplaces in Minnesota, including public transportation, bars, and restaurants. The Act exempts designated rooms in nursing homes, designated areas in psychiatric facilities, places where scientific studies related to smoking occur, private homes and residences not in use as a place of employment, designated hotel/motel smoking rooms, retail tobacco shops, heavy commercial vehicles, farm vehicles and construction equipment, buildings on family farms, the Minnesota disabled veterans' rest camp, smoking by Native Americans as part of a traditional spiritual or cultural ceremony, stage performances involving smoking, and outdoor areas. Local governments may regulate smoking more stringently than the state. Beltrami County, January 1, 2005, banned within 10 feet (3.0 m) of the entrances to restaurants and bars. [citation needed] Bloomington, July 19, 2004, banned within 25 feet (7.6 m) of entrances and in 50% of outdoor seating areas of restaurants.[citation needed] Carlton County, June 1, 2007, banned on 50% of outdoor patio seating in restaurants and bars.[citation needed] Cloquet, September 7, 2001, banned within five feet of the entrances to restaurants and bars.[citation needed] Duluth, March 7, 2010, banned within 15 feet (4.6 m) of a bus shelter or transit center. Golden Valley, March 31, 2009, banned within 25 feet (7.6 m) of entrances, exits, and ventilation openings of all areas of restaurants and bars; also in public parks and recreational facilities.[citation needed] McLeod County, August 1, 2006, banned within 10 feet (3.0 m) of the entrances to restaurants and bars.[citation needed] Rochester, June, 2010 Downtown smoke free zone includes the block of Second Avenue Southwest between Gonda and the Kahler, and the two-block pedestrian mall known as the Peace Plaza. The zone will be extended in June, 2010 to include two blocks of West Center Street between the Kahler Grand Hotel, Methodist Hospital and the Gonda Building.”[1]
Chinese students and American students have different life in university. First, they have different eating life. Chinese students like eating off campus. The student think eating off campus is better than eating on campus. Because there are some nice and cheap restaurants near the university, so students usually go to these restaurants. However, in the United States, American students usually eat on campus. There usually go to the eatery for eating. For example, in my university students usually go to the eatery for eating. Sometimes American students buy some fast food, and use micro-wave oven to cook fast food in dorm. Secondly, Chinese students and American students have different work and rest habits. Chinese students usually go to bed early. They usually go to bed before midnight, and they get up early. Because in Chinese university classes begin early in the morning, so students need to sleep early and get up early. On the other hand, American students often go to bed late, and get up late. Because American students can do some activities in their dorm, and in American university students can choose their class schedule, so they go to bed late and get up late.
Except some differences, there are some similarities between Chinese students and American students’ life in university. Chinese students like going to bar. At the weekends, Chinese students go to bar drink and dance. American students also like going to bar. At the weekends, in China Chinese students often have parties. In the party they play games, drink, and so on. This is same as American students. In the week, after class Chinese students and American students both like doing sports. Both American students and Chinese students like playing video games after class.
In conclusion, as you see there some differences and similarities between Chinese students and American students’ life in university. Except some different class rules, life rules, and life styles, there are some similarities between Chinese students and American students’ life in university. China and the United States have different governments, education systems, cultures, ceremonies, and so on. Consequently, we have different rules and life in university. I have been study in the United Stated for three years. In these two years I found some differences and similarities between Chinese students and American students’ life in university. I learned a lot of things, and I have enjoyed studying and living in here.
Reference:
1. Hornstein, Steve. Department of Teacher Development, St. Cloud State University ED 200 Introduction to Elementary Education Spring 2010 – Section 2 Syllabus. 2011. Print.
2. Hornstein, Steve. Department of Teacher Development, St. Cloud State University ED 200 Introduction to Elementary Education Spring 2010 – Section 2 Syllabus. 2011. Print.
(PS: I changed my topic, I think this topic is better than before. I kine this one.)
