How does the educational system in USA compare with the developing nations like China and India? With populations exceeding 2.3 billion people as well as increasing economic capabilities, the developing nations are a force to be reckoned with. Throw in the fact their kids often score better in math and science than students in the United States then educators in USA should be more concerned. This article will focus mainly on the differences between USA and China.

 Education is the number one priority and their number one fiscal commitment in China. China is intentionally focusing on becoming a world leader in first-rate education.  Chinese students' are widely recognized for their academic reputation.  They outscore their counterparts in many countries in math and science. For instance, a recent Program for International Student Assessment, a.k.a. PISA(1), scores where students in Hong Kong and Singapore outperformed American high school students.

China is talking about a 10- year education reform program where they expect to establish 110 key universities and how they are investing $2 billion in poly-technical colleges, what Americans call technical or vocational schools.  This is an extraordinary commitment. When you think about their population and the impact it will have on global education, it's amazing.

The following are 2 conversations. The first is with a Chinese student in university in the USA. The other is a man who speaks of his experience in university some years ago.

First, the 1 hour chat with Nate in Hammond, IN, USA, Sat. Nov 15, 2008 Chinese time.

Nate: hey Michael i saw your email about going to Hunan

me: what's up dude? Ya, I can't wait. That is cool you are from the same city.

Nate: hehe hope you like it food's spicy there, be careful

me: I'll bring a fire extinguisher with me. Ha, ha.

Nate: no need; i like the city; i grew up there; not many english speaker though

Nate: where r u now? Beijing? Sent at 1:59 PM on Saturday

me: Yes, I live on BIT campus at the foreign experts residence. I'm preparing my

lessons and a lecture on American Education I'll deliver in a couple weeks.

Nate: oh really; must be a lot to talk about 'coz the education system is quite different

me: Anything you want the Chinese students to know about university life in America? I'll include first hand experience.

Nate: haha; most impressive things American College students gotta make their own selection of courses, more flexible Sent at 2:06 PM on Saturday

Nate: in China, the schedule of classes is almost 90% determined by the school, we

don't have choices simply, in China, once you got into college, you will be assigned to a department, to a class in all these 4 years, you will be taking courses with all your classmates; all the time; not like here in US; in US any one in your school may have a chance to be your classmate; so basically there's no "classmate" but rather than "school mate"; too much? Sent at 2:10 PM on Saturday

me: No, keep going. I like the flexibility, but I'm used to it as an American. That explains why the Chinese have close friendships and built in networks. Pros/cons either way. I'm enjoying this, what else?

Nate: yeah, that is true Sent at 2:13 PM on Saturday

Nate: American education is famous for its flexibility; that's one good thing Sent at 2:15 PM on Saturday Nate is typing…

Nate: basically, the reason is China is a country that encourages collectivism, the whole philosophy is that individuals should merge themselves into a group, small groups should merge into bigger group...

Nate: while U.S encourages people fight for their own, to make use of all what they got. So called "American dream". Individuals are equal, and being respected

the whole idea is different

me: Yes, completely different. Yet both of us have found ways to meet our basic needs. Collectivism or individualism are just different ways to process life, learned mostly from our parents and society. We need to learn from each other. China has a lot to offer the world and the world can help China. Protectionism and political boundaries gets in the way of this sometimes. I'm glad you are my friend and learnate alot.

Nate: no problem

me: I meant to say I'm learning a lot, but you are too I'm sure.

Nate: i think you got the point; yeah i am

Chinese public education is pretty good

I saw lots of college students in US are learning stuff we have learned in high school

me: The Chinese are good students so the Chinese education system and the hard working students work together for excellence. It is symbiotic.

Nate: thx; but one thing that Chinese students are not good at, is the ability of experiment; or to say, to apply theories into real life scenario because our books and everything tend to make things abstract, kinda away from real life, so sometimes, American Professors complain about their Chinese students' lack of practice

basically we are good at exams and theories, but not so much with application

me: I've heard professors and students both here talk about the need to develop creativity and the freedom to do so without losing face.

Nate: i think it is a universal problem; it's just obvious in China, because we are more more focused on books

me: Interesting. I know the American system has dummied down the curriculum some, but somehow there are still many American universities that demand excellence. You can find an easy college or go to a better one that will help you get a better education and prestige for the degree.

Nate: yeah; that's the flexibility i am talking about

Nate: in China, it's impossible,

me: In the end it is the students that make the difference. If they have the want to, anyone can learn and excel.

Nate: true

me: What about friendships? Is it easy to become friends with Americans but the relationship is not deep? Do the Chinese try to develop friends or just stick with their own group?

Nate: well; friends are the same everywhere

you are right that Chinese students are easier to stick to a certain group

Nate: but although you are assigned to a certain group, but you will make friends with the one that suits you after all; so this is basically the same as US

me: In America, it used to be and not sure if it is still true, that those in the South and Southwest were more friendly but it was hard to break into deeper friendships. Then in the North, East & parts of West, it was hard to get to know someone, but when you did, you could develop deeper friendships easier.

Nate: yeah, geograhpical difference; hey, i gotta go to bed, kinda late here

me: Sweet dreams. Xie xie for the talk.

Nate: no problem; wish you enjoy the visit to Hunan; my territory, haha

me: Looking forward to it.

Nate: ttyl bye

The second chat with the older American man will be in the next article.

Fu Zhongshu

(1) nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa

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