Fourteen students from China noticed both similarities and differences in American high school during a week at Leyden high schools.
The students came from the city of Jinan in eastern China, where they attend Shando Experimental High School. They came to District 212 under the auspices of the Sino-American Youth Ambassador program.
While District 212 has hosted exchange students before, this is a first time students have come from China.
Yaunzhe Ying, 16, said the main difference he’s seen in education is the teachers.
“In China, teachers are maybe more conservative,” Ying said. “In the U.S., most of the teachers seem to be more energetic and active. They aim to conduct the students rather than infusing knowledge into their minds.”
Yufei Wang, 15, said students in China tend to study by themselves.
“In America, most of the times the students do group work,” Wang said.
All the students were hosted by the families of Leyden students. While they visited the Art Institute, walked through Grant Park and had deep dish pizza for lunch, Ying said his favorite activity might have been dinner conversation with his host family.
“A time for the family to communicate and explore and discuss daily life,” Ying said. “The Hispanic family (he stayed with) have a very strong sense of family. I’m so impressed.”
He added, “In China we have Confucius-ism. Offspring should always take care of their ancestors. In China we also have a very strong sense of family.”
Wang agreed. “When after dinner I took a walk, I communicated with them and I really enjoyed the time.”
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Wang asked if American parents were nosy about their kid’s electronic communication.
“In China, some parents will check all their (child’s) messages,” Wang said.
Jindi Song, 16, said she sees more pets in the U.S. and less air pollution.
“In China, because the city is so crowded, not so many people have animals,” Song said.
Kangning Sheng, 16, noticed the difference in food.
“In China, all the meals are just like dinner in America,” Sheng said. “(In the U.S.) there are more salty and sugary breakfasts.”