Open AccessLooking East: Yin And Yang Of An Academic Exchange
Author(s) -
Claire Reeves La Roche
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of international education research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2158-0987
pISSN - 2158-0979
DOI - 10.19030/jier.v7i2.4249
Subject(s) - study abroad , guanxi , china , cultural exchange , east asia , sociology , cultural influence , cultural diversity , psychology , political science , social science , pedagogy , law , anthropology
Intended as a brief guide to the cultural differences associated with an East-West academic exchange, this paper discusses customs and cultural norms likely to be encountered. Chinese economic growth has been accompanied by rapidly increasing East-West study abroad opportunities. Over the past decade, China has sent more students to study abroad than any other country and the number of American students studying in China has increased exponentially (Laughlin). In many cases, both U.S. and Chinese students and faculty participating in an American academic study abroad program are inadequately prepared for, and indeed surprised, by the differences in customs they encounter. Professors and students participating in an East-West exchange were interviewed. Cultural differences are discussed and examples are presented intended to help prepare students and professors for successful guanxi (networking).