With the rise in China’s global prominence and Obama’s heightened focus on relations with the country, understanding Chinese culture is an important step in preparing students to work in a world-based economy, said Brett Berquist, executive director of the Office of Study Abroad.

“With the press coverage and the discussion we have about their economic weight … the more we can promote (an) understanding of the life in China, the easier it will be for students to grow in their career,” he said.

TRADING CURRENCIES
In general, study abroad programs can help students — and the U.S. — maintain a competitive edge globally, Department of Education spokeswoman Sara Gast said.

“We’re always encouraging students to do whatever they can to improve their education and to make us more competitive globally,” she said.

After studying Chinese for two years, Charlie Dakin, a recent graduate who earned an undergraduate degree in supply chain management and Chinese, decided to intern in China.
In the future, he said he hopes he will be able to work within the country.

“It really was one of the defining moments of my college career,” Dakin said.

“It really acknowledged the Chinese language that I’d been taking for two years. It broadened my perspective — really, it put everything in perspective.”

CHANGING PERSPECTIVES
But many Americans have a skewed perception about Chinese culture, Dakin said. The portrayal of the Chinese through popular culture, such as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Jackie Chan, have led to common misunderstandings, he said.

“In the U.S., the average American has very little understanding of what life in China is really like,” Dakin said.

“Major cities in China (are more developed) than most cities in the U.S.”

International relations junior Tommy Marini spent time in Xi’an, China, a city near Beijing, studying Chinese and working.

“It’s very crowded all the time and the air is not the best,” he said.

“The traffic goes on for miles. It isn’t ever quiet — you never hear silence.”

Traveling to China is a better way of understanding the culture, said Simei Qing, associate professor of history and international relations at James Madison College.

“At least we should try to be closer to this reality in China (and recognize) not just what’s portrayed in the media,” Qing said.

“What we assume China is might not actually be China — might not be the actual reality there. China is just like America — very complex.”

Living in China helped Jack Cogswell, a supply chain management and Chinese senior, understand China’s economic progress on a personal level, he said.

Cogswell spent time in China as a part of MSU’s Study Abroad program.

“Spending time there and talking to the locals, you get a sense for different perspectives — there are multiple ways to do things,” Cogswell said.

“There’s a lot of people that are trying to develop — they’re just trying to improve their own standards. It kind of changed the way I viewed the world.”

CREATING CONNECTIONS
A reciprocal exchange of ideas is important, especially on a college campus, Berquist said.
Chinese study abroad students play a big role in the diversity of MSU, he said.

“I think it’s equally useful for our students to be able to gain the different perspectives that (share) Chinese students in the classroom,” he said.

“Having a diverse learning environment on campus is something that enriches the learning experiences (for students).”

Before studying abroad in China, Dakin did not know a lot of Chinese study abroad students.
“After having gone to China for the first time, it really encouraged me to make friendships with the Chinese international students at MSU,” he said.

A lack of understanding of Chinese culture might discourage American students from reaching out to international students, Dakin said.

“The majority of American students at MSU (just) don’t care,” he said. “They don’t understand or they just don’t make the effort.”

Language and cultural barriers also can prevent Chinese students from stepping out of their comfort zone, said Weijun Zhao, director of the MSU China Office in Beijing and the MSU Office of China Programs.

“They’re afraid to talk and interact with American students,” he said.

Encouraging Americans to speak with international students can help bridge the cultural gap, Zhao said.

Finance senior and Chinese international student Yin Yu began eXue Career Training School to help Chinese international students adjust to life in America and be successful.

Although the university is working to help international students, more can be done, she said.
“There are a lot of multicultural (groups and) global events, (but) I think we still can do more,” Yu said.

“I feel like the American community just (doesn’t) understand the Chinese people.”

Yu worked to become involved in American culture by joining clubs and business organizations. With her school, Yu hopes to help other Chinese international students succeed at MSU.

“After so many years of trying to understand the American society and the American culture … now I’m going to be a community leader,” she said.