Advice About Americans

The American International Education Foundation provides tips to Chinese college students studying in the United States. Reading these tips as an American sheds a little bit of light on some of our cultural differences. Chinese students are advised that “some degree of assertiveness is necessary for success.” They are also told that, “Americans expect students to produce their own ideas.” We are characterized as honest, individualistic, and task-oriented (“Relationships are less important than getting the work done,”). Socially, Chinese students are told that Americans have large collections of friends that change over time and that we avoid interdependency such as long-term obligations. Finally, students are warned that the law applies to everyone and we do not have the concept of a “back door” for connected or privileged people.

Source: Krieger, Lisa M. “Advice About America for Chinese Students.” San Jose Mercury News 3 January 2011: A1. Print.