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In today’s society, China and the United States of America are two of the most influential countries in the world in terms of both power and size. Outside of this however, both display many differential culture customs and standards when it comes to citizens and their daily lives. One such instance can be seen in the teaching of students in university settings. In this setting, differences can be seen in student to teacher relationships, student to student relationships, and also in students’ approach to academics as a whole. China is an older nation with over four thousand years of history, much of which in more recent years has been under communist control and regiment. Due to this, China often ranks lower in terms of Geert Hofstede’s Individualism factor. Instead, people in China often follow a more collectivist culture. This culture can be seen in many social settings including universities. In terms of student to teacher relationships in China, teachers are seen as an authoritative older figure who must be respected and listened to. Students are not encouraged to ask as many questions and since the collective is prized over the individual, most students prefer not to stand out in the crowd. Groups are a strong aspect as well in this collective and loyalty to the group supersedes all else. The benefit is that strong relationships are formed as all students take responsibility for their fellow teammates or group members. In general, academics in China are held to a strict standard. Timeliness is key, introductions and titles are formal, and the most common degrees related to maths, sciences, or business. Many parents hope for their children to become doctors, surgeons, lawyers, and enter other high paying professions. On the other hand, the United States focuses on different aspects in terms of schooling. While China places the collective as the most important, the opposite can be said for the United States (US). The US is an individualistic nation that built itself on the values of hard work, self-reliance, and individual freedoms. Because of this university settings in the US are often more informal and casual in terms of student to teacher relationships. In some cases, students may even be encouraged to call their professors by their first names. This practice would be highly unusual in Chinese culture. In addition, students are encouraged to ask questions, interact with their peers, and speak freely on their beliefs and opinions. The US also has a greater tolerance for different thoughts, ideas, and beliefs. Because of this, students are encouraged to take time in figuring out what they want to go into. Many students are undeclared when first starting university, in addition, many non-standard degrees are pursued, including those in the arts and philosophies. Despite the multitude of differences between the two nations, both share common similarities as well. Both countries value hard work when it comes to academics and their is a strong desire to succeed. In schools as well as at home, students are taught to respect their elders which includes older relatives in addition to the teachers at their schools. It just goes to show that even two very different societies with ever changing cultures, there is always room for commonalities. No matter what we study, or where we go to school, there will always be things that tie us together as people and as students across the globe.
