Vic, Allen, Eddie, and Tony take a photo in front of the De Smet Innovation Center (photo by Michael Dolan)
Vic, Allen, Eddie, and Tony take a photo in front of the De Smet Innovation Center

photo by Michael Dolan

From Beijing to STL

A look into the thoughts of the new Beijing exchange students

September 11, 2019

De Smet has opened the door to a new transfer student program, welcoming four individuals from Beijing, China.

“We have been working with this international academy for about four years now,” Admissions Director Tim Sullivan said. “So finally with support from the leadership team and board we decided to do pilot tests for four months.”

The transfer students will stay here for one full semester, then return to their school in Beijing. But, even with the new students, the students are always at the center of their decision making.

“I hope our students develop a greater sense of culture around the world from their guest and vise-versa, just trying to be open to growth and learning about new cultures,” Sullivan said. “The sky’s the limit as long as it fits our mission, as long as it’s good for our students inside the building.”

“I would like to add a big thank you to our host classmates, for being open to hosting these guys,” Sullivan said. “It is a show of unity and brotherhood and I think these guys will go back and speak very highly of De Smet Jesuit.”

Some of the answers show the cultural differences between America and China.

Vic Chai

Michael Dolan

Vic Chai stands in the theatre for a photo.

If I were to go to your hometown where would you take me?
A: The Great wall, since it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
Q: Have you tried any of the American fast food food, if so what is your favorite?
A: The burger for sure, from McDonald’s.
Q: What is your favorite subject?
A: Intro to Business, because it’s easy and the homework is more interesting.
Q: What is the biggest difference between the USA and China, education wise?
A: The study time is very different, the schedule in China is much longer than it is here. We have school work for 8 hours a day
Q: Why did you choose America and not anywhere in Europe to study abroad?
A: To learn foreign skills and different cultures, and the advanced technology played a big part.
Q: Why did you choose to be an international student?
A: The different cultures to absorb and foreign people and characteristics.

Eddie Liu

Michael Dolan

Eddie Liu stands in the theatre for a photo.

What is the biggest difference education wise between China and America?
A: The difference between the subjects, we don’t have the acting class in China, we can have a better education here, broadening our perspectives through these classes.
Q: Have you tried any American fast food if so, what is your favorite?
A: The pasta and the red sauce is my favorite. It’s delicious and I used to eat it back in China and I also tried the traditional food in St. Louis”.
Q: What is your favorite subject to study in school?
A: The English class is my favorite. We read lots of novels and it will definitely improve my english skills and Mr. Dressler will take us through the class and I think it is really interesting to discuss the class together, he is a really humorous guy.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies to do outside of school?
A: I used to play badminton in China, but there is not a lot of places I can play here. But, I have also tried to play basketball and Ping Pong.
Q: What is the biggest difference between America and China overall?
A: I would say the food. It is very salty and sweet in the United States, while in China we eat a lot of hot, spicy foods. The cheese burger is probably my favorite American food.
Q: What is your favorite part of being an international student?
A: I think it is studying every subject in English, which improves my English a lot.

Allen Zhang

Michael Dolan

Allen Zhang stands in the theatre for a photo.

If I were to go to your hometown with you, where would you take me?
A: A lot of places, first of all the great wall, it’s one of the seven wonders of the world, the summer palace it is the ancient emperor’s place they used it to avoid from the summer heat in China to escape the heat, the forbidden city it is the house of the ancient emperors, there are tons of man made and natural beauties there are three in Beijing, if you want some Hot-Pots and traditional Chinese food you should go to “Sichuan.”
Q: What is the biggest difference education wise between China and America?
A: The schedule here is very different in China we have long school days from 7:30 AM to 7 PM. Students who live at the school have to take a sub study in the evening for two or three hours, so they don’t get out ‘till 10 o’clock. I like America’s better they give you a lot more freedom to do things we like to do.
Q: What is your favorite subject to study in school?
A: I like to say its english the main reason is because of the teacher is very nice, Mr. Dressler. I love his way of teaching, it is very different from what it is in China.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies to do outside of school?
A: I have always like to play ping pong and now i am a beginner in basketball. I like the competition and the experience of the audience, they cheer for you after you make the three pointer, it’s very entertaining.
Q: What is the biggest difference between America and China overall?
A: In China we eat more hot foods, here you drink water with ice but in China we drink warm water a lot more. The people here are multicultural there are a lot of blacks and whites mixing. Almost everyone in China is ‘yellow’, so we don’t have a lot of blacks and whites.
Q: What are your aspirations for the next ten years?
A: I think I will work back in China after I have my college in America, I would like to have my career in business.
Q: What did you hope to gain from being an International student?
A: Improve my English skills and also to get used to the culture here before I go off to University here or in Toronto. And it’s fun to make some new foreign friends.

Tony Wang Zhuoer

Michael Dolan

Tony Wang Zhuoer stands in the theatre for a photo.

What is the biggest difference education wise between China and America?
A: China has many different subjects, it’s more than the US, there are political and geography classes in China.
Q: What is your favorite subject to study in school?
A: Geometry, it is easier here than in China. Mr. Bender is my teacher, he is really cool.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies to do outside of school?
A: I like playing ping-pong, I am part of the ping pong club here at school, it is very fun to do after school.
Q: Why did you choose America and not Europe?
A: Because of the technology is more advanced than in the other countries.
Q: Why did you choose to be an international student?
A: I really wanted to go abroad to study some knowledge from the Americans and to go to University in America

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