When I was little, my brother and I would watch The Lion King countless times over and over again. We would run around the living room reciting every line and dancing every move. One of my favorite parts of the movie is the song, “I Just Can’t Wait to be King”. For those who aren’t 
familiar with the song, it is about young Simba’s aspirations to replace his father as king of the tribe someday. Though he’s scared to death, he overcomes that fear and is ready for a change in the monarchy.
Change. Change can be a nerve-racking thing but in the end – change is inevitable. Sometimes you know when and why change must occur and sometimes it just shows up at your door. In the Chinese education system, the changes that are occurring are happening slowly, but, as Simba implied, change is inevitable.
The Ministry of Education in China has enforced reform in Chinese education between the years of 2002-2007. The changes that we will be seeing are designed to enhance student productivity. The Chinese education system revolves around tests. The tests students take at a young age 
determine their future. They take tests to determine which school they will be attending. If a student does not do well on one test at the age of 8, their chances to attend the University are shot.
To be honest with you, testing is not one of my strengths. I couldn’t imagine having to take a test at a young age that would direct the course of my life. Outside-the-box thinking is not stressed like it is in America. Every system has flaws, yet every system has its strengths. The Chinese are brilliant students, but my question is, do they enjoy what they are learning? Visiting two high schools – and one university in China – has forced me to examine why I enjoy learning what I do. I am so fortunate that I can attend a wonderful 
school, get a decent education, and that my future is up to me and not a test. One thing that I have learned from the Chinese is a positive work ethic. The students study constantly because they know what may happen if they don’t.
The future of Chinese education is really up in the air. I don’t see any drastic changes in the next few years, but they are working to perfect flaws. Changing from the testing system will probably not happen and that is the largest difference between our two systems.
Tip of the Day: After spending a week in China, you really do miss dairy products!
Archived Journal Entries
November 17, 2005
College, college, college! As a high school senior,
the word provokes mixed emotions. Frustrations, anger, excitement,
confusion – all are producing a level of maturity that will assist
me in making decisions that impact my future. At home, I have a stack
of college information 
piled to the top of my dresser drawer, and
I’m sure all high school juniors and seniors can relate to that. Many
students, when trying to decide which college to attend, base their
decisions on a variety of factors, some being location, classes, or
maybe even the ability to study abroad …
The University of Hong Kong is an absolutely gorgeous campus. With a premier location and beautiful weather, my thoughts are skewed toward attending this attractive University. During the tour and meeting with the top administration of the college, the issue of exchange programs was brought up many times.
The University of Hong Kong was founded in 1911. They offer 10 faculties or areas of education, comparable to many universities in Minnesota. Their strongest courses are in Chinese 
language, medicine, and law. In Hong Kong, they do not have pre-professional programs, such as pre-law or pre-med. Instead they move straight to the professional programs. Their social sciences department is not as strong, but it’s growing. This school is also only a three-year school, but many students go on to receive masters or even doctorate degrees.
The University of Hong Kong has a strong exchange program. They are connected with 150 other universities across the world. Many students consider participating in an exchange with Hong Kong because of the cultural aspect you can get from being in the city. But students are 
also fortunate to experience the quality of education the University provides. Exchanges are arranged for one semester or an entire year, and summer programs are also offered to high school students. The cost per year at Hong Kong University is $7,700 tuition plus $650/month for accommodations. The biggest culture shock for U.S. students attending this University, or any Asian university for that matter, is the rigorous schedule and amount of work that is expected by the professors. This is something that is quickly learned and respected.
Many students do not understand just how valuable attending an exchange program or a study abroad program in Asia could be for their future. I must admit, I was one of them. China is the future for marketing and developing U.S. companies – this is something that has been jammed into my head during the entire trip! China is the future…
Hong Kong Fact of the Day: In Hong Kong, they drive on the other side of the road and have their own definite style of driving!
November 16, 2005
Have you ever felt like a celebrity? Staying in five star hotels, meeting top Chinese officials and business people, always having a camera in your face and everyone monitoring and fighting for 
your attention? This trip to China has been everything but normal. As a student ambassador on this mission, I believed that I would be leaving my family, when instead I gained over 200 “moms” and “dads” who miss their own children and have taken each of us students under their wing. I am definitely not complaining because we students are being spoiled as far as the TLC is concerned from the delegation members.
Celebrity? Those who know me best understand how proud I am of my blonde hair, and in China the degree of my blondeness has never been more apparent. Hee-hee! At the high school I visited today, a group of students approached me and started feeling my hair and exclaiming 
how beautiful it was. Not realizing that blonde jokes don’t exist in China, I started giggling and told the group of students the following joke:
A blonde, a red head, and a brunette robbed a bank. When
they heard the police coming they ran outside of town into a barn. When they
got there they found three potato sacks and each climbed in. When the cops
came into the barn they kicked the first bag that the red head was in, and
she shouted, “Meow.” The cops thought she was just a cat. They then kicked
the bag that the brunette was in, and she shouted, “Bark.” The cops thought
she was only a dog. When they kicked the bag that the blonde was in she shouted, “Potatoes!”
Instead of hearing the laughter I was expecting, I saw blank stares of confusion. This was my first experience with cultural differences.
Testing and status: I have found these to be the themes of Chinese education now that I have visited and researched both public and private high schools in China. Today I visited the East China Normal University #2 Secondary School, a key school in Shanghai, but also a prestigious 
school in the entire country of China. AMAZING is the word that sums up my thoughts of the school. I was speechless during the tour (and speechless doesn’t happen to me to me very often). Besides the breathtaking view of Shanghai’s amazing skyline, the campus, activities and high academic standards make even our universities look bad. The school hosts the brightest students in China. Gaining admittance into this school means that you are in the top 1 to 3 percent of all students in China. The school is grounded on the statement “seeking excellence.” They follow the “4-100” rule that applies to all students:
- 100 percent of students participate in activities
- 100 percent of students participate in research
- Students must complete 100 science experiments
- School offers 100-plus courses
Those four rules alone show the dedication of the schools administration, staff, and students have to developing love for science and arts.
What makes this school so interesting and why am I writing yet another blog comparing Minnesota schools to Chinese schools? The answer is simple: the school that I visited today is far too cool to keep from all of you. I interviewed my student tour guide, Cherry, as to why she enjoys attending this school. (Disclaimer: The schools that I have been reporting on are the cream of the crop and are not a representation of all schools in China.)
- Number and types of activities/clubs offered through the school: over 100 activities offered, ranging from athletics to music to TV production (complete with their own studio) to robotics (with their own laboratories) to DJ club (with state of the art equipment. Cherry is a reporter for the school’s magazine, a DJ for the schools dances, an officer of activities which is similar to our (student council), and was involved in her school’s opera production.
- Facilities: they have several laboratories (which are rooms set up with equipment for different topics) such as a robotics lab, a science lab, or a language lab, Observatory with a telescope, music hall, indoor stadium, track, football (soccer) fields, and an indoor swimming pool.
Cherry and I were very similar. During our tour we were constantly giggling, whether about boys, fashion, or friends. Visiting the schools, especially speaking to and seeing kids my own age, has been the highlight of my trip. I thought that I had completely grasped the idea of Chinese education by all the research that I had done prior to the trip, but now I realize that I had completely understood the system until I saw it in action. That really is the purpose of my being here.
Tip of the Day: Never use a blonde joke as an icebreaker!
November 15, 2005
This entire trip is the experience of a lifetime, and having it during the school year provides an opportunity for me to learn outside of the classroom. I never imagined as I prepared for this trip that I would find myself in a chemistry class in Beijing, China.
With the Education delegation and my peng you (friend) David, another student ambassador, we ventured to the Beijing Royal School. As we exited the bus, a line of students greeted us 
with shouts of “hello.” Never will I forget the excitement on all of their faces as we shouted “ni hao” back to them. Each student then took us by the hand and escorted our delegation on a tour of their school.
We started in the English classroom, where 17 students rehearsed English phrases spoken by their teacher. The classroom was set up much like a classroom in Minnesota. The desks were facing the front of the room with the teacher’s desk and blackboard.
Physical activities for the students range from swimming in their indoor pool, running on their track, or shooting hoops in either the indoor gymnasium or the outdoor courts. The teachers of 
the school have offices outside of their classrooms, much like colleges and universities in the states. The set-up of the buildings included an area for the dorms, academic buildings that included the classrooms, gymnasium, pool area and auditorium.
The school day at Beijing Royal School begins at 7:20 a.m. and goes until 9 p.m., with an hour break at lunch and an hour break in late afternoon. Most of the students wake up at 6:40 a.m. and go to bed sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight.
David and I had an amazing experience, and this event is the highlight of my trip thus far. I’m looking forward to continuing my friendship with the students. In talking with them I realized how similar we are.
Yidan
Grade: 12
Age:17
Classes: Math, Chemistry, Business Study, Biology, Physics, Accounting
Favorite Class: Math
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Jelly
Favorite Morning Activity: Taking a Deep Breath! She’s a morning person!
Favorite TV Show: Taiwan Show called “Guess, Guess, Guess”
It is amazing that even though the chemistry class I sat in today was completely across the globe, chemistry is chemistry no matter where you are in the world!
November 14, 2005
“Ni hao.” I’m Emily Dahlman, from Dassel-Cokato
High School, and I am a student ambassador with the Minnesota trade
mission. Today I changed out of my tourist clothes of jeans and
a sweatshirt and put on my business suit and nylons. This transformation,
in 
combination
with jet leg, can be described with one word: overwhelming. The
connections that I have made with leaders in China and members of
the Minnesota delegation are unbelievable and have opened doors to
my future. 
Until today, I had not realized the impact this trip
would have on my life, and I hope that through my journals your lives
will be touched as well.
Today, my travels with the Education delegation brought me to four different events: a briefing on student visas by employees of the United States Embassy in Beijing, a networking luncheon with Chinese educators, a presentation at the 
Ministry of Education (which is similar to the United States Department of Education), and a banquet at the Great Hall of the People next to the famous Tiananmen Square.
I had never comprehended the significance of business cards until I attended the Education Networking Luncheon. As I walked into the gorgeous ballroom, with tables neatly decorated and chairs covered in traditional Chinese silk, I was quickly approached by Chinese education leaders holding out their business cards. The purpose of the luncheon was to give members of the Education delegation a chance to meet and connect with their Chinese counterparts over a meal of octopus and pumpkin soup.
I spoke with many educators about the differences between
Dassel-Cokato High School and the schools they represented in urban and rural
China. As I mentioned earlier, the connections I made are phenomenal. Today
in particular, I had the supreme opportunity to meet Mr. Zhang Xiude, president
of the Zhang Dian Education Bureau at Zibo City in Shandong Province. His job
is comparable to a superintendent of schools in Minnesota. As I was talking
with him (through an interpreter), the realization of how similar our high
schools are became very apparent, and did not overshadow the differences.
| |
Zhang dian Education Bureau |
Dassel-Cokato |
| School Hours |
7:30-11:30 and 2-5:30, Monday-Friday and 7:30 - 11:30 on
Saturday |
8:10-3:05, Monday-Friday |
| Length of Classes |
45 minutes. |
70 minutes. |
| Amount of Lunch Time |
2 1/2 hours. Many go home for lunch and rest during
this time. |
30 minutes. Must stay on campus. |
| Number of Classes per Semester |
12 |
5 |
| Tutoring Sessions with Teacher |
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. every weekday |
Varies depending on the teacher |
| Amount of Homework |
3-4 Hours per day |
1-2 Hours per day |
| Breaks During the School Year |
Spring Festival / Chinese New Year (2 weeks in January or
February) |
Holiday breaks throughout the year and summer vacation from
June through August |
| Number of Students in a Class |
50-60 |
20-30 |
| Technology in School |
1 Computer per Teacher |
Many computer labs |
Chinese phrases of the day:
Ni shuide hao ma? (Did you sleep well?)
Shui bu zhao (I couldn’t fall asleep)
I promise that I’m working on the sleep issue: lots of water to recover from jet leg!
November 13, 2005
As
a blonde hair, blue eyed Swedish girl growing up in Cokato Minnesota,
I have always been the member of a majority. Now that I have spent
a full day in China, I can hardly believe that I am here. I am no
longer a person who can blend easily into the crowd, I am now a
person who walks down the street and is asked 20 times to be in
a picture. China, china, china… I’m really here!
The Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City – amazing!
Climbing the Great Wall was an unforgettable experience, the mountains
in the distance looked as if they were pictures from my high school
textbooks. I almost made it to the top, tee-hee! We (student
ambassadors) had quite the adventure on the way up! The Forbidden
City is just that – a huge city! Without our tour guide,
I would have gotten lost in the maze of the tremendous architecture.
Education and China… how are they related?
This has been the question on my mind since I was selected to go
on this trip! They are connected in the obvious ways, but how much
do Americans 
actually
know about the Chinese education system? In order to understand
exactly what it is that I’ll be seeing when I visit a school
here in Beijing, I will provide you with some basic knowledge of
the Chinese education system that I have acquired from pre-trip
research and interviews, as well as first-hand experience now that
I am in China.
One word that I have found to describe Chinese
education is “motivated”. Chinese students show a great
respect for their teachers and other authority figures. At school,
students remain in one classroom while the teacher rotates class
to class. Unlike typical American schools, there are not many sports
teams associated with the schools – most are clubs outside
of school. Students do not choose their classes. Instead, at a certain
age, they select a career path they are interested in and take classes
that focus on and 
prepare
them for that path. With over 1,000 people at most high schools,
there are very large classes. Most Chinese students take English
as a second language from 7th grade and up. They are given breaks
just as we are during the summer and winter but also one week breaks
during October and May. Another interesting piece of information
that I picked up were the rules for high school students that are
broken into five categories.
- Respect yourself, love yourself. Pay attention to your appearance.
- Your dress should be clean, and neat, modest and in good taste.
Do not permanent your hair, do not wear cosmetics, do not wear
jewelry; boys should not have long hair; girls should not wear
high heels.
- Pay attention to hygiene; cultivate good hygiene habits, do
not spit randomly, do not discard waste haphazardly.
- Be honest and trustworthy, treat others with etiquette.
- Observe discipline, study with diligence.
- Work hard at being frugal, and be filial and respectful or your
parents.
- Be strict with yourself and broad-minded with others, observe
social morality.
I am still pinching myself that I am really here in China!
I am going to leave you with my favorite quote of the day…
“It’s like we’re on Fear Factor or something”.
I said this as we were climbing down the Great Wall with my enormous
fear of heights!
Lai Zhongguo, wo hen gaoxing! ( I am very happy to be here
in China)
Mingtian jian! (See you tomorrow!)
Zaijian! (Good Bye)
November 4, 2005
I had just complained to Mom about how uncomfortable the seats were on the airplane when I realized that I will soon be on a flight to China that’s eight times as long as the one to Louisville, Kentucky.
I was on my way to Kentucky for the National FFA (Future Farmers of America) Convention to compete in the CDE Job Interview. CDE is the acronym for Career Development Event and FFA members can participate in as many as 20 or 30 of them. 
There’s something for everyone. Competitions are held at the local, regional, state, and national level. Job Interview is the first CDE I have participated in. I was very fortunate to have won at the regional and state levels, and now have the opportunity to compete at Nationals.
During the Job Interview contest you are asked to submit a cover letter and a resume, fill out an application, conduct a telephone interview, participate in a personal interview, and send a follow-up letter as if you were applying for an actual job. The job you are “applying” for must be
agriculture-related and it must be a position for which you could qualify at your current age. I applied for the position of a Swine Showhand (someone who assists a hog breeder at swine shows). I was extremely nervous, but at the same time 
bursting at the seams with excitement.
The National FFA Convention is amazing. There are close to 50,000 people here from all 50 states plus the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. My favorite part has been listening to everyone’s accents, and having people gawk at mine. You are never as conscious of your own accent until you are asked to say “Minnesota” countless times. I have attended workshops about leadership, a concert (Miranda Lambert and Clay Walker) and several learning sessions, and I’ve walked around the career fair (where several colleges and businesses have booths). In more ways than one this experience has allowed me to grow both as an FFA member and as a person. It has been very good preparation for my next adventure in China.
October 24, 2005
How do you prepare for once-in-a-lifetime trip to
China? This is the question that I have asked myself countless times
since I was selected to go to on this trade mission.
One reason that I wanted to go on this trip was
that I, to put it lightly, know nothing about China and its relationship
to Minnesota, or about international trade and business. I know that
I am not the only student with this lack of knowledge, so my goal
before I leave is to gain basic knowledge about China and its people
so I can build upon that foundation with information I acquire on
the trip.
Where do you begin? My high school is fortunate
enough to host several foreign exchange students during the school
year. This year, we have the privilege of hosting a student from
China. One day during band class, she and I were talking about
my trip to
China and she offered me some insightful information about the
Chinese culture. The next day, she handed me a sheet of paper,
where she had scribbled the following seven Chinese proverbs:
- If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen
to his words.
- A journey of one thousand miles begins with a
single step.
- No wind, no waves.
- A smile will gain you 10 more years of life.
- There are always ears on the other side of the
door.
- To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
- Your fingers can’t be the same length.
At first glance, I was very confused about what
she had given me. She then explained that she had found them in a
book her father had given her before she left. She felt that these
seven proverbs would prepare me for my trip; all I had to do was look
past the exterior meaning and decide what I wanted the Chinese proverb
to mean. Together we went through the proverbs one at a time, and
told stories of how they related to our individual lives. To our surprise,
the settings of the stories were different, but the content was very
much the same!
