Literature Review #1

Citation: 

    

Fischer, Karin. “The Chinese Mother's American Dream.” Chronicle.com, 2015, www.chronicle.com/article/The-Chinese-Mothers-American/231239.

Summary:

    

This Article told the struggles of applying to American Universities as both the parent and students have to take into consideration their financial capabilities. Many have sought American universities as a way of escaping the rigid and oppressing Chinese education system. It provides examples of just how much preparation is needed by both the parents and students just to study abroad. It explored the questions, such as: "Why study in America? What are the financial burdens on the families? What the students have to go through to apply? How young do they start preparation? How are international students are viewed by American students?"

Author:  

  

 

    Karin Fisher is a Research Associate at the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist whose primary arena of focus is on international education, study abroad, globalization of college experience, and international-student recruitment. Fisher received the East-West Center's Jefferson Fellowship for works in Asia and the International Reporting Project fellowship for her works in education also in Asia. She has also been honored by the Education Writers Association, National Press Foundation, and Poynter Institute for her works.

Key terms.  

"SAT"& "Gao Kao" are both standardized exams given to students as a measurement of knowledge and a determining factor for colleges

"Jun Kao" which a standardized test given in China to determine which high school the student will attend.

"preprofessional" term used to describe or relating to the period preceding specific study for or practice of a profession

Three Quotes.  

    

"American college-admissions process emphasis on evaluating the whole applicant — personal statements, teacher recommendations, extracurricular activities"

"Paying for an American bachelor’s degree on their combined salaries of 200,000 yuan, or about $32,000 a year...They sold their apartment in Ningbo’s city center and bought a smaller, less-expensive one in the suburbs." (Beini)

"In Chinese education, you live and die by the test, the gao kao, the crucial college-entrance exam. It is the sole determinant of not only what university a student is admitted to but also what she will study and whether she can go to college at all."

Value.  

    This article gave me insight into what these international students have to do to prep for international studies. It has also given me a look at the Chinese education system and how much pressure these families and students are under just to get a better opportunity. I could also see a distinct difference in culture as the Chinese value grades and scores while in America while those are important we also value individuality. From this article, I sense that students are stripped of their individuality as Chinese Universities will only look at scores to determine what majors and schools they apply to. While students in the US are able to apply to any major available at the institute and if one's SAT score is not ideal you can find other ways to bridge that gap.