Changing cultures can be both a difficult and enlightening experience, especially for teenagers. Owen Green (‘27) understands this as he is a student from Shanghai, China, who came to America this school year.
Green was born in New York before soon moving to his home in Shanghai. He went to school in an International General Certificate of Secondary Education school system, which is an internationally adapted curriculum based off of the English GCSE school system. He now has come to America for his sophomore year at AGHS.
Green—having now spent almost an entire school year in America—notices many differences between American and Chinese schools.
“In China, [school has] more of a focus on grades and academic rigor,” Green said. “[America] has more of a focus on being well rounded and being good socially.”
The focus on academics leads to a gap in educational levels between cultures.
“A lot of the [subjects] people learn [in American high school] I had to do in middle school,” Green said.
While Green’s previous school was more advanced academically, it lacked a variety of classes.
“There’s more choices [for classes at AGHS],” Green said. “[The school] has tried to provide me with as much opportunity as it can.”
Green has taken hold of these opportunities, through participating in clubs such as Speech and Debate or Robotics. These opportunities also provide Green with insight on the social differences between China and America.
“[In America] there is more interaction,” Green said. “People are less afraid to be who they are.”
Green has come to the realization that people are much more open to interaction and expression, as opposed to China where conformity is much more common. Green has also realized that with the greater expression in American culture, subjectivism is more prevalent.
“[In China the culture is more] objective,” Green said. “[People focus more on subjects such as], how big is your house, what car do you drive, where have you been, or how rich are you.”
Green views China’s objectivism in stark contrast to America’s subjectivism.
“[America focuses more on subjects such as], how confident are you or how willing are you to express yourself,” Green said.
Green has seen how important standing out and expression is in America. While he does see America as more subjective, he still witnesses materialism within both cultures.
“[In America] people care much more about [people’s] outfits or how they express themselves visually,” Green said. “In China, people dress more similarly.”
While both China and America have very different social cultures, there are many aspects that are similar, such as their media.
“[Chinese and American media] have gotten more similar over the years.” Green said.
The similarity of media has even caused topics such as American politics to be popular in both America and China.
Green’s experience of switching cultures is generally positive in his eyes, as the school has tried to help him adapt. He has seen some negatives such as the bathrooms, but overall enjoys AGHS.
“It’s hard to say something bad about [the school] because in terms of [the school as a whole] it’s definitely better than even private schools in Shanghai,” Green said
One of the things Green has noticed that is better about AG is the lack of bullying.
“People are very chill [in America]. There’s a lot less bullying here than in Shanghai,” Green said. “[Aspects like] how much money someone has in their house can completely change how people act around you.”
His experience in shifting cultures, countries, and schools has helped Green learn a lot.
“Switching cultures allows you to realize that things aren’t as hard as you think they are,” Green said. “It makes you want to focus on the future, since everything can change in one day.”
China and America have very different cultures, norms, and education. Green has experienced a large shift, adapting to his new lifestyle. While it is a difficult task, Green has been able to appreciate the positives in both cultures, and enjoy his time at AGHS.
