Connection Germany and China
Borderless Education
05.08.2008
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Gözde Pesman
Photo by kallejipp(photocase)
O
ne world, one dream- In a few days, the Olympic Games will kick off in China, where many international visitors will experience sporting performances and far-eastern culture. To sample the latter, a long journey is not necessarily needed.
According to the German Academic Exchange Service, China is the main supplier of international students in Germany. During the academic year 2007 25.600 Chinese students were registered across German universities.
With the economic bloom, that started during the 70’s, the opportunities to acquire knowledge abroad were facilitated; a privilege that was hardly ever granted to anyone under the command of Mao Zedong. Thanks to the slightly more western orientation these days, a study abroad is no longer out of the ordinary.
The interest is mutual; German universities are interested in China too. By now 400 partnerships between Chinese and German universities have been established. Even doing a double degree program is possible. At the Stuttgart Media University, German students learn Chinese and later go to study in China for a while; conversely Chinese students learn German and study at the German partner-university afterwards. At the end of their studies they have a German and a Chinese degree in Print Technology and Management.
Some Chinese students even decide to complete their entire studies in Germany. Ling Yang is one of them. The 32- year old came to Berlin seven years ago to attend Business Administration and Engineering at the Institute of Technology.
,, At the beginning, it was hard”, he admits. Now, 2 years later he has adjusted and accustomed to his new environment quite well.
A fundamental difference between German and Chinese students is the diverse mentality.
This shows first of all in the recreational activities: ,,German students like to go out , especially to the hot spots in Berlin.”, assesses Ling. Unlike Chinese students, who prefer to stay home and cook together. In addition, the 32-year old confirms the aloofness of Chinese students.
A cause for this is, according to Ling, the fact that in China you only express your opinion, if you are certain- contrary to Germany, where it is usual to speak out, even if you are not sure.
Still he has noticed that most students settle in, after a few difficulties in the beginning. The reason for this is the Buddy program, for example.
The Buddy program at the Institute of Technology works as follows: German students help international ones in order to align themselves in the new city so they can adjust faster and get used to the German mentality and culture.
Ling has benefited from the Buddy program very much. He wants to stay in Germany after finishing his studies- although he visits China now and then.
According to the German Academic Exchange Service, China is the main supplier of international students in Germany. During the academic year 2007 25.600 Chinese students were registered across German universities.
With the economic bloom, that started during the 70’s, the opportunities to acquire knowledge abroad were facilitated; a privilege that was hardly ever granted to anyone under the command of Mao Zedong. Thanks to the slightly more western orientation these days, a study abroad is no longer out of the ordinary.
The interest is mutual; German universities are interested in China too. By now 400 partnerships between Chinese and German universities have been established. Even doing a double degree program is possible. At the Stuttgart Media University, German students learn Chinese and later go to study in China for a while; conversely Chinese students learn German and study at the German partner-university afterwards. At the end of their studies they have a German and a Chinese degree in Print Technology and Management.
Some Chinese students even decide to complete their entire studies in Germany. Ling Yang is one of them. The 32- year old came to Berlin seven years ago to attend Business Administration and Engineering at the Institute of Technology.
,, At the beginning, it was hard”, he admits. Now, 2 years later he has adjusted and accustomed to his new environment quite well.
A fundamental difference between German and Chinese students is the diverse mentality.
This shows first of all in the recreational activities: ,,German students like to go out , especially to the hot spots in Berlin.”, assesses Ling. Unlike Chinese students, who prefer to stay home and cook together. In addition, the 32-year old confirms the aloofness of Chinese students.
A cause for this is, according to Ling, the fact that in China you only express your opinion, if you are certain- contrary to Germany, where it is usual to speak out, even if you are not sure.
Still he has noticed that most students settle in, after a few difficulties in the beginning. The reason for this is the Buddy program, for example.
The Buddy program at the Institute of Technology works as follows: German students help international ones in order to align themselves in the new city so they can adjust faster and get used to the German mentality and culture.
Ling has benefited from the Buddy program very much. He wants to stay in Germany after finishing his studies- although he visits China now and then.
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