Differences between American and Chinese Culture: How Children Are Treated in the Two Countries
Shao Huiye is 17 years old, his life is centered around his education, as this is a very important
year of his life. This year, Shao will take the National University Entrance Examinations, which
will determine if he will get to continue his schooling the following year, if he does poorly, his
education in China, will be over.
Shao is not an average Chinese student, his family is wealthy and they live in Shanghai, one of
China's most wealthy areas. Shao's family has enough money, to afford paying for his school
tuition (1). His family also has enough money to pay for a "test-taker" to ensure Shao makes it
into college. “Many educators say the culture of cheating takes root in high school, where the
competition for slots in the country’s best colleges is unrelenting and high marks on standardized
tests are the most important criterion for admission. Ghost-written essays and test questions can
be bought. So, too, can a hired gun test taker who will assume the student’s identity for the
grueling two-day college entrance exam.” (2) This was probably one of the most interesting and
surprising facts I leared while researching the Chinese culture for this paper. When I personally
interviewed this Chinese student, he confessed to me that while in America, he took an English
placement exam, which was required by the university he wanted to attend, and he failed. His
parents were so furious that when he went home, they paid for a "test-taker", someone to go in an
d pass the test for him. Although, he claims the test-taker passed and got him an A on the test, he
was shamed by his family for requiring them to go such lengths for him. This story says alot, it
shows how important education is in the Chinese culture.
When Shao wakes up in the morning, it is about 6am, he eats breakfast, which typically consists of bread and a drink and is made for him by his grandmother, who lives in the home, along
year of his life. This year, Shao will take the National University Entrance Examinations, which
will determine if he will get to continue his schooling the following year, if he does poorly, his
education in China, will be over.
Shao is not an average Chinese student, his family is wealthy and they live in Shanghai, one of
China's most wealthy areas. Shao's family has enough money, to afford paying for his school
tuition (1). His family also has enough money to pay for a "test-taker" to ensure Shao makes it
into college. “Many educators say the culture of cheating takes root in high school, where the
competition for slots in the country’s best colleges is unrelenting and high marks on standardized
tests are the most important criterion for admission. Ghost-written essays and test questions can
be bought. So, too, can a hired gun test taker who will assume the student’s identity for the
grueling two-day college entrance exam.” (2) This was probably one of the most interesting and
surprising facts I leared while researching the Chinese culture for this paper. When I personally
interviewed this Chinese student, he confessed to me that while in America, he took an English
placement exam, which was required by the university he wanted to attend, and he failed. His
parents were so furious that when he went home, they paid for a "test-taker", someone to go in an
d pass the test for him. Although, he claims the test-taker passed and got him an A on the test, he
was shamed by his family for requiring them to go such lengths for him. This story says alot, it
shows how important education is in the Chinese culture.
When Shao wakes up in the morning, it is about 6am, he eats breakfast, which typically consists of bread and a drink and is made for him by his grandmother, who lives in the home, along
Citations: Count: 3 "Facts and Details." PROBLEMS IN CHINESE SCHOOLS: CHEATING, EXPLOSIONS, CORRUPTION, VIOLENCE AND BUS ACCIDENTS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2013. WebsiteLinkTagsEditDelete "Issue of Time in Different Cultures." Interview by Palatuwa Rupasinghe. n.d.: n. pag. Print. InterviewTagsEditDelete "School in China: Introduction to School and Education in China." About.com Chinese Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2013. Website