About American culture by Professor Joan Fuess

　

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 a 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. The only problem for my university is that the cost is very expensive because it is a private school. It costs about $12000 including accommodation fee in one year, so students must be rich or work hard in order to afford it. Unlike in Japan, students live on campus. Most students live in a 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 of their times at the 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 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 leran from your mistakes. It will stick with 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 while, but I do not think Japanese university students study hard. It is reverse of US. In US, nobody cares about grades in 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 gets a 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. Sometimes, companies and universities pay 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 like to hire students who have had an internship experience. Business students in my university have to do an internship. we have international internship, sending students out from US. It is a very popular concept in US.

Question How do you think about divorce?

It is a problem of adults. In US, there are a lot of young girls who have children but no father. It is really a 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 have an interview and are hired. Now, companies have a hard time to find enough workers, so companies would even hire junior.

Question what do you think of guns.

No one has guns in my family. It is thought that all Americans have gun, but it is not true. In most suburban cities, guns are not common. Only in big cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, crime 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 a 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 you 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.