Rebekah's next focus is on how international students view American's and our university system. I was a little disappointed to read their reviews.
American Relationships & Hospitality
"Here everyone minds their own business. They're not that hospitable. Like if someone from the U.S. came to the UAE, people would take them out to eat and ask questions. It would be a long time before they paid for their own meal" (p.70). Another student commented that their car mechanic was more interested in their life than other students were. This makes me feel uneasy, and saddened that these students travel here to learn about our culture, and we can't even take the time to notice them.
Another theme that international students noticed was that our students go out on their much earlier in life. In many other countries, students remain living at home or near their families. Families are much closer. In American dorms, family photos are rarely seen. Here in America, we do not include our families in our social activities like other countries. Instead, we party it up when parents leave town. And we rarely introduce our friends to our families. In other countries, friends become family. When hosting a party, parents remain home and enjoy the festivities. If friends swing by, and their friend is not home, they stay and visit with the parents.
What I gathered was that in many other countries, friends were closer, spent more time together, and included their families. That seems like a happy place to be, a little less ego-centric.
Classroom Life
Oh, another disappointment. To others, we don't take school seriously, and we don't hardly work for our grades. A Japanese student laughs when she sees how our "students come to class: shorts, flip-flops...torn T-shirts. Some students come to class in pajamas!" (p.78). Many international students noted how disrespectful our students are. They couldn't believe how we interrupt our professors, walk out in the middle of class, eat, and sleep in class. And, on the flip side, our professors are here to help (which they loved), but they weren't so fond of the fact that some professors were more like entertainers, and that they had to evaluate them at the end of the term.
Academically, international students agree that our classes are much easier. We have a syllabus, which lays our the entire class and the professors expectations. We have mini-tests (quizzes), which some professors tell you what to study. And, multiple choice exams. In other countries, students are not informed of the expectations. Many times, they attend lecture, learn ALL of the material within lecture and textbooks, and are given 1-2 exams. These exams consist of questions and a blank piece of paper. Students are expected to know and recall everything. We don't study as hard or work as hard, some students don't even do the assignments. International students are confused by our academic ability. We complain about the time commitment classes take, but yet, many International students here constant chatter about parties and social engagements. What does this say about Americans?
The ideas presented in the "Academically" section outline good practice. If students' anxiety is lessened by knowing what to expect and what is needed to succeed, the semester will run smoothly. Without knowing how one can succeed, won't much time throughout the semester be wasted?
ReplyDeleteI'm also a bit taken back by the blanket statements highlighted from the book. Perhaps not all Americans are family oriented or focused on school while attending college; however, I find it unfair to place such statements over our entire culture. I was highly involved with my collegiate studies. Also, my family often visited where we would hang out with my friends. Similarly, family members of my friends often visited campus.
Thank you for reporting the book. What are your thoughts on the statements?
I agree that having our expectations written down decreases anxiety. I don't know that without it, we would be wasting time though. I think we would have to study more, be more self sufficient and disciplined.
ReplyDeleteI don't think their statements were meant towards our entire culture. I was just trying to summarize their key points. The author had interviewed students in her classes and in the dorms, and the statements were referring to just that aspect of their life. Some of the International students did say that there were a few Americans who took the time to get to know them, etc. But, it wasn't the norm.
My thoughts on the statements: we cannot discount how they feel about their experience, because we are not the ones experiencing it. I think they brought up some really good points about the differences in our cultures, but I don't think that means we need to change, either.
I think it's common (warning I'm stereotyping)for college age kids to pull away form their families and focus more on friendships in their late teens/early twenties. But, I think typically this is short lived and as we get older we tend to be reminded of the importance of family and make them a priority again.
ReplyDeleteI agree Kelly, that for many, though not all, American students this is true. It may be something that we accepted culturally over the few decades, but is it healthy?
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