Colleged 2 | - Freelance Writer
Apr 04, 2019 | #1
Being exposed to both cultural styles in education has given me insight on the differences between both types of students. While there are others who believe only the stereotypical portrayal (some are true, though), these are based from actually experiencing a diverse international classroom.
1. That summer before school.
Most American students during this leisurely time off from school would either be doing trips (if they're financially there), working on a job, or grinding hard in an internship. Asian students would be crammed into summer schools that would force them to digest multiple textbooks within eight weeks. School just never ends for your Asians.
2. Choosing your program.
We all know this one, but there is nothing that hits closer to home than it. When American students are choosing their program, there's usual more space for discussion. There's the typical discussion of which fields are economical and which ones are not. However, generally speaking, there's no limits to what you can go into. On the other hand, Asian students still face the same old golden fields: engineering, medicine, and law. There's always an ongoing saying that if a person is not in these fields, they'll be outcasts in their own family. If you don't want to be disowned, better choose wisely.
3. The first day of class.
This isn't about Asian kids staying in front of the class, while the Americans stay at the back. But during the first day of class, you can notice that Asian students tend to come either earlier to class (15 minutes before) for punctuality purposes. This is a huge leap from American students who prefer to arrive just on time or a little bit late. If you're Asian and come late to class, what are you doing to your cultural heritage?
4. Bringing school items to class.
First days are always expensively fun for all students, especially because it's that time to bring out all the high quality pens and papers to take down notes. While American students typically rely on a single notebook and a regular pen, you'll see Asian students flooding with ten different colors of pen and an assortment of notebooks that are categorized according to importance and usage. These notebooks will even have subject labels.
5. Dressing up for school.
Have you ever wondered why Americans have more laidback clothing styles than Asians? I have also wondered about this for a long time already. While there are exceptions to the rule (think Southeast Asians) who don't care at all, most Asians tend to dress to the occasion even for short classes. Especially if they have a class presentation. Notice how your South Asian classmates will typically wear button-down shirts and shiny shoes when they just need to present for 10 minutes. Yes, this is a thing.
6. What do you do during breaks?
You would usually see American students either staying on their seats, casually conversing with each other, or perhaps using their phone. If you take a glance at the Asian students, they're usually either looking through notes or books, taking selfies (we all know that love for the selfie culture in Asia) with friends, or messaging their parents who are just thrilled to know if they're doing well that day.
7. Answering a lecturer's questions.
Perhaps due to natural power distance in the cultures, American students tend to be more upfront when it comes to answering and asking questions. They will argue, become opinionated, and say directly how they feel about a lecture. Asian students will typically take a few minutes of pure silence before someone builds up the courage to answer. There's usually more conversational tone in lectures with American students in comparison with Asian ones.
8. Making friends in classrooms.
Of course, making friends for students is always daunting. There's always that glooming social pressure. However, have you noticed that Asian students tend to be less concerned with socializing in educational institutions compared to Americans who are more relaxed? Especially when it comes to East Asians. Those ones are the true bearers of distance.
9. So, what about those group projects?
Have you seen those films that project Asians as the perfect companions for group projects because they're so perfect? Yes, those are definitely so far from the truth. In group settings, Asians typically still display the same cultural distance. While there are some who are oddly outspoken, most of them prefer doing their work silently.
Americans, however, tend to be more relaxed. If you need to talk, just talk. If you need to change details in the project, just discuss. Asian students definitely take longer in meetings because there's always that dragging momentary silence.
10. After class hours.
You have your typical Asian approaching the lecturer to ask for additional insight regarding a project. You have your typical American who's rushing to go out of the room because of either needing to go to work or heading home to chill. For Asians, after class hours is still school hours. For Americans, there's a more balanced approach between school and life.
Admittedly, a lot of these are rooted in cultural differences. There will always be exceptions to the rule. However, just be sure to check up on your Asian students to make sure they're taking time off from their long study hours.
1. That summer before school.
Most American students during this leisurely time off from school would either be doing trips (if they're financially there), working on a job, or grinding hard in an internship. Asian students would be crammed into summer schools that would force them to digest multiple textbooks within eight weeks. School just never ends for your Asians.2. Choosing your program.
We all know this one, but there is nothing that hits closer to home than it. When American students are choosing their program, there's usual more space for discussion. There's the typical discussion of which fields are economical and which ones are not. However, generally speaking, there's no limits to what you can go into. On the other hand, Asian students still face the same old golden fields: engineering, medicine, and law. There's always an ongoing saying that if a person is not in these fields, they'll be outcasts in their own family. If you don't want to be disowned, better choose wisely.
3. The first day of class.
This isn't about Asian kids staying in front of the class, while the Americans stay at the back. But during the first day of class, you can notice that Asian students tend to come either earlier to class (15 minutes before) for punctuality purposes. This is a huge leap from American students who prefer to arrive just on time or a little bit late. If you're Asian and come late to class, what are you doing to your cultural heritage?
4. Bringing school items to class.
First days are always expensively fun for all students, especially because it's that time to bring out all the high quality pens and papers to take down notes. While American students typically rely on a single notebook and a regular pen, you'll see Asian students flooding with ten different colors of pen and an assortment of notebooks that are categorized according to importance and usage. These notebooks will even have subject labels.
5. Dressing up for school.
Have you ever wondered why Americans have more laidback clothing styles than Asians? I have also wondered about this for a long time already. While there are exceptions to the rule (think Southeast Asians) who don't care at all, most Asians tend to dress to the occasion even for short classes. Especially if they have a class presentation. Notice how your South Asian classmates will typically wear button-down shirts and shiny shoes when they just need to present for 10 minutes. Yes, this is a thing.
6. What do you do during breaks?
You would usually see American students either staying on their seats, casually conversing with each other, or perhaps using their phone. If you take a glance at the Asian students, they're usually either looking through notes or books, taking selfies (we all know that love for the selfie culture in Asia) with friends, or messaging their parents who are just thrilled to know if they're doing well that day.
7. Answering a lecturer's questions.
Perhaps due to natural power distance in the cultures, American students tend to be more upfront when it comes to answering and asking questions. They will argue, become opinionated, and say directly how they feel about a lecture. Asian students will typically take a few minutes of pure silence before someone builds up the courage to answer. There's usually more conversational tone in lectures with American students in comparison with Asian ones.
8. Making friends in classrooms.
Of course, making friends for students is always daunting. There's always that glooming social pressure. However, have you noticed that Asian students tend to be less concerned with socializing in educational institutions compared to Americans who are more relaxed? Especially when it comes to East Asians. Those ones are the true bearers of distance.
9. So, what about those group projects?
Have you seen those films that project Asians as the perfect companions for group projects because they're so perfect? Yes, those are definitely so far from the truth. In group settings, Asians typically still display the same cultural distance. While there are some who are oddly outspoken, most of them prefer doing their work silently.
Americans, however, tend to be more relaxed. If you need to talk, just talk. If you need to change details in the project, just discuss. Asian students definitely take longer in meetings because there's always that dragging momentary silence.
10. After class hours.
You have your typical Asian approaching the lecturer to ask for additional insight regarding a project. You have your typical American who's rushing to go out of the room because of either needing to go to work or heading home to chill. For Asians, after class hours is still school hours. For Americans, there's a more balanced approach between school and life.
Admittedly, a lot of these are rooted in cultural differences. There will always be exceptions to the rule. However, just be sure to check up on your Asian students to make sure they're taking time off from their long study hours.