Prevention and Treatment: Learning from 8,000 Expelled Chinese Students

Daniel Su serves as the Vice President for China Outreach Ministries. He grew up and attended college in China before coming to America in 1986. Before serving with COM, Daniel pastored a Chinese congregation in Texas.

Last May, The Wall Street Journal carried an article entitled “U.S. Schools Expelled 8,000 Chinese Students.” To many people that came as a surprise because most people associate Chinese students with academic success. However, as China changes as a nation, so do its students studying here on this side of the Pacific. What did the WSJ article show us about China and how it is changing? We’re all children of our time and culture, and so are the Chinese students. What is happening to Chinese students in America says a lot about China itself. There seems to be a cause and effect.

First, as China grows economically Chinese people now have a lot more personal and financial freedom. More and more Chinese families can afford sending their children to study in America and elsewhere. Aside from students using their private funding sources for their American education, China is also officially sponsoring more and more people to study or do research in the US. The net effect is a significant surge of Chinese students and visiting scholars in the US. China now ranks number one among international students in the US. According to Open Door, the number of Chinese students reached a record 304,040 for the 2014-2015 school year, which means one in every three international students is from China.

Second, with the surge in numbers the current group of Chinese students no longer represents the cream of the crop like their predecessors did, though many of them are still among the best students from China. Chinese students are coming to community colleges and average colleges, as well as Ivy League universities. Many Chinese parents may be financially strong enough to pay for their children’s education in the US, but their children may not be academically strong enough for their enrollment in a reputable college.

Moreover, Chinese students may not demonstrate the same level of academic caliber as their American classmates on the same campuses. The reason may be that Chinese students tend to excel in taking tests due to their hard work preparing for the SAT, ACT or GRE. Many of them took private prep classes in China prior to taking tests for coming to America. As a result, their real academic competency may not necessarily match the high test scores that got them enrolled. On top of that, having to compete in a different culture and language certainly has contributed to the challenges facing the Chinese students.

Those Chinese students who were expelled from school due to academic dishonesty reflect a lack of respect for laws and rules on the part of many Chines students. Though China as a country has made progress in the rule of law and respect for the law, comparatively speaking, Chinese students in general do not seem to take laws and rules as seriously as American students.

The church, Chinese or American, needs to consider how to understand the problem of Chinese students being expelled and how to respond. As the Christian community, we should open our hearts, our homes, and our churches to welcome these students and help them adjust to living and studying in America. It is an opportunity for Christians to extend our hospitality and to show unconditional, genuine, Christian love and care. What Chinese students experience here in America may have a significant impact on China’s future when they return and assume various levels of leadership in Chinese society.

For American academic institutions, they should provide adequate services to educate and help Chinese and other international students to become aware of and overcome the cultural and linguistic differences in order to help them thrive in their new environments. They should not assume international students will have the same understanding or awareness as American students regarding American academic culture and the way of doing things.

I think the key to ministering to students at risk of expulsion whether we are pastors, lay people, or Christian workers is getting to know them and building personal relationships of trust. Once the relationship is there, the student will be free to share his or her struggles and challenges. Chinese students tend to be reserved and do not feel comfortable sharing their feelings with people they do not know well; they tend to see themselves as guests in our country. As hosts, we need to take the initiative to open our homes and our church doors to the students, inviting them to appropriate activities, programs, and seminars where they can meet Americans in person and get to know each other. Like all people, Chinese students can fall into depression and other emotional problems when living in isolation, dealing with academic pressure, and having issues with relationships. They need counseling and listening ears. In this area, prevention is always a more effective way than treatment.

As internationals studying in America, Chinese students have needs for friendship, for understanding different cultural norms, for improving their English, and for advice in special situations. Their needs become opportunities for us to be friends with them and walk along side them. Most of them come from an atheistic background. As a result, they are spiritually open and searching; they are also curious to know what the Christian faith has to say about the meaning and purpose of life. These are all opportunities for us to dialogue with them and engage them in life’s journey. And they are grateful when we are willing to do that. In my ministry to Chinese students, I find that they are more likely to grasp the meaning of Christian faith in the context of a caring Christian community.  

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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

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ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

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About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

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About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

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About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

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About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

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About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

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About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

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About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

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About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

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About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

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About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

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