Four German students, Lyly, Martin, Philipp and Magdalena, are studying at the GDUFS School of English for International Business this semester as part of an exchange program with Dortmund University of Applied Arts and Sciences.
On the day they arrived at GDUFS, the four Germans wandered about North Campus feeling lost. It was not long before Chinese students approached and offered help. Said Lyly, "In Germany, students would just pass by strangers. They wouldn't notice. It's different from what Chinese students do. They always offer help and this makes our lives here easier." Magdalena added that when they are out shopping and have difficulty expressing themselves, they call a Chinese classmate and ask him to translate for them.
"In Germany, students go to campus to study. They don't have to become friends." said Magdalena. But she has already made friends here at GDUFS. She observes that Chinese students live and study together, and that the university is like a community, while in Germany students pursue a more private life. When asked about which she prefers, Magdalena smiled, "It's different." She said she enjoys the camaraderie here which is not what she was used to in Germany.
Last semester the four German students joined their Chinese classmates on a visit to a nearby home for the elderly where they played games with the residents and performed songs in German. On another occasion Chinese classmates taught the Germans how to cook dumplings and invited them to join a dumpling making competition in the students' canteen. They greatly enjoyed all of these activities.
Lyly, Magdalena, Martin and Philipp (left to right) on Macau Tower
Lyly has found that teacher-student relationships are closer in China than in Germany. "We greet our professors and say, 'hi, Mr. So-and-so' but in Germany we try to avoid meeting our professors. And the professors there seem to prefer such a relationship. However, here, the last time I went to the supermarket, I saw one of my Chinese teachers and he talked with us openly." Lyly said teachers and students here are more like friends, and relationships are less formal than in Germany. "They even dress less formally."
Philipp is impressed how his Chinese peers behave in group projects. He described the German mode as quick decisions based on majority opinion. "But Chinese students discuss a lot," Philipp commented, "and there is a team leader. In Germany we usually don't have a leader. When it comes to decision making, we vote to get a result." He said the German mode was faster, but not always better.
Among the four German students, Martin was the one who skipped the most classes back home, but he still had the best grades. He said German teachers did not care too much whether students attend class. What mattered was simply passing the exams. "Chinese students are more disciplined. They seem to attend every class." Martin finds this quite incredible. He said German students would rather spend time on their own stuff than on attending classes. But he has not missed a single class at GDUFS.
When signing up for the exchange program, the four German students chose China out of seven optional countries, the other six being Australia, England, France, Mexico, Netherlands, and Spain. "We wanted to experience a different culture. Other European countries are not so different from Germany, so we chose China," explained Philipp, "and now we are not disappointed."
What impresses Magdalena most is the hard work displayed by Chinese students. "It's amazing that students read aloud at the No. 2 Academic Building for such a long time." She was astounded that this was nothing to most Chinese students. The four German students, rather than continue working until midnight, often take a break in the evening to help refresh their minds after a long day of study. Philipp said they sometimes go to clubs to have fun in Guangzhou.
They were able to witness an Olympic torch relay for the first time. "We will never forget that day. The Chinese gathered along the road were so passionate, cheering and waving flags. It was exciting."
When asked about their impression of Guangzhou, they said it is a beautiful and modern city with a large population. But they still find it difficult to travel off campus. They often have to write down the Chinese characters beforehand to show the taxi driver.
The four Germans at the Knife and Scissors Fair in Yangjiang
When asked if they would recommend Guangzhou to their friends in Germany, they said yes despite any inconveniences. "We have already recommended that our friends in Germany experience China's culture and get a true understanding of China." Lyly, Martin, Philipp and Magdalena will leave GDUFS in July to attend an internship in either France or USA. Another group of German students will come to GDUFS in September. Let's wish Lyly, Martin, Philipp and Magdalena a great future.
Photos provided by Lyly, Martin, Philipp, and Magdalena
