From China to Fanshawe
“When I first came to Canada I experienced a lot of troubles,” the first-year Business Accounting student said about adapting to his new school, culture and way of life.
After installing the Chinese Student Association (CSA) here at Fanshawe, Wang developed a unique support system that is now making the exchange transition for other students more comfortable.
With over 300 international students attending Fanshawe annually, for either post-secondary education or English as a Second Language courses, CSA quickly grew to a network of over 80 people and Wang hopes that number will even grow more by September.
“All Chinese students want ‘A' plus, plus. All Canadian [students] want is learning,” said Wang to the differences in Canadian and Chinese students. He added that students in China are encouraged to memorize endless amounts of information, while the Canadian system encourages presentations and participation, which is an education element that exchange students must get used to.
Wang said the purpose of the association is to help new students with their English skills, study and adapting to the differences between Chinese and Canadian cultures.
Since its inception, the association has held various events, such as the Chinese New Year Dinner, a Chinese buffet dinner and they were also an intricate part of Fanshawe's Asian Occasion, where they fundraised by writing people's names in traditional Chinese.
Next year Wang will continue with the association and hopes to have membership cards and begin selling traditional Chinese products in Forwell Hall to raise funds for various group activities.
