About American culture

Today, I am going to talk about American student life. I am a professor of German and Spanish, teaching at Nebraska wesleyan university which is liberal arts school for undergraduates. It is not a big university. There are about 1500 students, so student can have a lot of interaction with professors and get feedback. It is difficult for students and professors to know each other in a big university. In US, there are so small junior school or high school which have only about 20 students. Most students in my university come there because they like small school. Language class has no more than 22 students in my university. Only problem for my university is that cost is very expensive because it is private school. It costs about $12000 including accommodation fee in one year, so students must be rich or work hard in order to afford to it. Unlike in Japan, students live in campus. Most students live in dormitory with other students for first and second year, so they do not have to travel. It means they can spend more time studying or playing sports. Students spend most times at university studying, participating in sports clubs and so on.

Question What is the American education philosophy in general?

It is the same as Japan. Students should be active, work as a group even though America is relatively competitive. Professor expects students to take part in a class work. In university, students can discuss with professor a lot, in class or after class. It motivates them to study.

Question What points do we have to keep in mind to study English?

Practice. You have to practice a lot. 10-15minutes everyday. Find something to read in English. When you speak English, you have to be brave. Try to make mistakes. It will stick you. You must not be afraid to make a mistake.

Question What do you think about Japanese students?

I do not know exactly because I have been here just for a little, but I do not think japanese students study hard. It is reverse of US. In US, nobody cares about grades at high school, however grades at university are important. Students have to give good effort or they have nothing to do. 50-60% of students in my university get Master degree. In top universities, 80% of them do. To enter graduate school, good grades are also needed. Even though bachelor, salary become much higher than normal university graduates. Sometime, companies and universities pay to students to go to graduate school if the student is good.

Question Since last year, internship has been popular in Japan. How is it in US?

Most companies hire students who have an experience of internship. Business students have to do internship in my university. we have international internship, sending students out from US. It is very popular concept in US.

Question How do you think about divorce?

It is a problem of adults, so I do not mind. In US, there is a lot of young girls who have children but no father. It is really problem.

Question How to look for a job when you are senior?

There is a job fair in US. Many companies come and students go there, then having interview and signed. Now, companies have hard time to find enough workers, so even junior, companies would sign.

Question what do you think of guns.

No one has guns in my family. It is thought that all American has gun, but it is not true. In most suburban cities, gun is not common. Only in big cities such as New york, chicago, Los angels, crimes happens, but even in big cities, it is rare case.

Question What kinds of part time jobs did you do when you are a student

I was working as accountant at motorcycle shop. Popular jobs for students are restaurant, banks, insurance, department store and so on. University students works as a manager even though it is a part time job.

Question How do yo think of Japanese working style?

I think they are too busy to have enough time to sleep. They have too much over time work. When you are tired, productivity becomes low, so it is also not good for companies. Company has to give people free time or pay over time. Free time is important to keep society together.