On February 2nd, Vice President Zhao Wei and Mr. Liu Qingshan, who were studying at the Miami University in the United States, returned home. In order to let students understand more about education of American university and Miami University, Liu Liewen and Zhang Xiaohan, the correspondents of the College Youth League Committee Propaganda Department, conducted an interview with the two teachers at the college on Thursday afternoon. Here is the recording.

(R=Reporter  Liu=Liu Qingshan  Zhao=Zhao Wei)

R: Hello! This is Liu Liewen and my name is Zhang Xianhan, he correspondents from the College Propaganda Department. I heard that you have gained a lot during your visiting at Miami University and we would like to interview you about something that students are concerned about.

Zhao and Liu: OK, my pleasure!

A photo in front of the Main Gate of Miami University

R: Mr. Zhao, what’s the most important thing that you gained during your visiting?

Zhao: We arrived in the United States at the end of July last year.And we mainly studied the management and engineering teaching mode of second-level college at Miami University during half a year’s studying. I worked with the management team of Engineering College while Mr. Liu worked with a team of Civil Engineering teachers. We have gained a lot and what deeply impressed me is that the management of the University of Miami's second-level college is very standardized. The day-to-day management,such as teaching, research, administration, finance, and student work, has basically been “institutionalized”, which almost are carried out by “standard procedures”. Each manager is with clear duty, and the entire college is like a machine in an orderly manner. When students have something trouble,they can deal with it smoothly in their college because human-based management and service make you feel better. The atmosphere of entire college is also very good. The teachers and students are very polite and highly civilized. Meanwhile, the faculty team has gathered talented people from all over the world with high teaching and research. And it also has advanced facilities and diversified campus culture,moreover,the campus environment was very beautiful, which is like a world-class university. Besides, what also deeply impressed me is the American people's spirit of contract and integrity.

A photo with Dean Jean-Pierre Bardet and Vice Dean Derin Ural

R: Mr. Liu, what does the classroom teaching of Miami University focus on? What are the differences between us?

Liu: The teachers there attaches great importance to cultivating the spirit of active learning. Students are guided by their teachers to answer questions actively, and dare to question.The teachers often say “so far so good?”in class, while students take initiative to raise their hands to correct mistake. The atmosphere is relaxing and lively: students are active in interacting with their teachers. Unlike ours, teachers focus on the teaching of knowledge and the systematicness of knowledge. Actually, they often say more while students are reluctant to express their views.However, the students in Miami University pay more attention on keeping up with their teachers,because they will be deducted by their teacher if they can’t answer the questions. In terms of mobile tools, students use laptops or pads to study rather than mobile phones in class. On the contrary, students in our class use mobile phones to take pictures of main points, and even recording.What’s worse, some students unconsciously take out their mobile phones to do things that are not related to study.

In addition, Engineering College of Miami University has promoted the Active Learning Class in the past two years,which is a relatively new classroom teaching model. And they intend to collaborate with our college in this teaching reform. Mr. Zhao takes participate in this project and he can talk more about it. Please!

Zhao: The cooperation is now in progress. Recently,a technical test will be jointly conducted. Students are invited to focus on our college's news website.

Zhao Wei, Work with Research Team of Globe Active Learning Project

R: Mr.Zhao, what do you think about the difference between the American college student's learning and Chinese college students?

Zhao: The educational system of American universities is more flexible. Undergraduates can go out of campus to explore the world, learn social survival ability, and then return to campus to receive systematic higher education. They pay more attention to students' practical ability and scientific research ability. The contents taught in the classroom are often well-structured, and students are required to do more research, collaborate, and summarize after class. Therefore, the universities have higher requirements for self-study ability of students. In addition, universities in the united states, including Miami University, have a large number of student organizations. Meanwhile, students are willing to take participate in different kinds of activities.

R: Mr. Zhao, what ability do Chinese students have to adapt to American university life?

Zhao: First of all, overseas students or transfer students must have the ability to use English proficiently. Second, there is a need for good adaptability to quickly overcome the discomfort caused by cultural differences and then quickly integrate into new learning and life. Third, a strong ability to copy with stress is also an indispensable factor. Students must be able to face the difficulties that they may encounter in their own life and learning. Finally, it is particularly important for students to have the ability of self-control that can consciously resist the temptation of the outside world.

R: So, how long can students adapt to study and learning abroad?

Zhao: Generally speaking, three months.

R: What is the attitude of the local people towards Chinese tourists and Chinese students?

Liu: In general, the local people in Miami are both warm and friendly to Chinese tourists and students, and there is no prejudice or discrimination.

Liu Qingshan and Dr. Nikan Salarieh

R: How about the University’s security in campus and whether the overseas student’s personal safety is effectively protected?

Liu: The personal safety of students can be guaranteed when studying at U.S. universities. At Miami University, the teachers and students is with high-quality and the campus is peaceful and safe. During the half-year period, I did not see any violence. In addition, the American police has total authority and they can be seen everywhere in Miami. As for media report of school shootings, it should be a small probability event. Such small-probability events may happen but are almost zero in individuals. Therefore, students, studying in the United States, don’t need to worry too much about their personal security.

R: Mr. Zhao, whether your actual trip is in line with your plan? Have you encountered any unplanned problems during your trip, such as the obstruction of customs or traffic problems in the United States? Will our classmates encounter the same problems when they go to the United States for exchange or study?

Zhao: There are not any trouble in customs or transportation because private cars are very common in the United States. Relatively speaking, public transport is not very convenient, but it will not cause any obstacles to learning and living. The biggest one we encountered was Hurricane Emma, which caused the Miami University to suspend classes for three weeks. This is an unpredictable accident. Every year in Florida, there is a hurricane, just like a typhoon in Fujian, Guangdong Province. Therefore, we must pay more attention to weather forecasting and prepare for it in advance.

With Professor Antonio Nanni, Dean of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering

R: How is the atmosphere around the Miami University? For example, is there any casino or something like that, and will young people lose themselves in such a diversified cultural and relaxed atmosphere?

Zhao: There are no casinos around the Miami University, but there are casinos away from the school in the downtown area of Miami. I believe that as a mature college student who has self-control in front of the temptation, he will not easily lose himself in foreign countries.

R: OK, Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhao, according to your experience, is local or western food expensive and terrible as rumors?

Zhao: Miami's food has a lot of characteristics of Cuban, so there are some differences in dietary habits. While, fast food is the same as ours. Besides, eating at restaurants is relatively expensive, and Chinese food is not the same as ours in Chinese restaurants.

Liu: The dietary habits between Chinese and foreign countries are different. Western food can be tasted occasionally but it is recommended that you cook yourself. As for price and taste, I want to say: One man’s meat is another man’s poison.

R: OK, one more question. Do you think what aspects are worth learning from Miami University? What are the advantages of our overseas students?

Zhao: Such as the flexibility in teaching models, high student participation in the classroom, process assessment methods, and strict institutional guarantees.

Liu: Compared with them, we Chinese students also have many advantages. Firstly, students have a solid foundation, especially mathematics. Secondly, they are relatively diligent. Thirdly, our student management is more rigorous and students have a good sense of self-discipline.

R: Mr. Zhao, Mr. Liu, thank you for your sharing!

Zhao,and Liu: Thank you. You’re welcome!

Students Reporters: Liu Liewen, Zhang Xianhan