Initially on coming here I noticed significant differences in the day to day lives of local (Hong Kong or Mainlands) students compared to the "Western World". In saying the Western World, I am encompassing Europe, Australia and American, which should be done under no circumstances, except in this particular case where their lifestyles are SO different that we are almost two polar opposites. Before plunging into a description of these differences I'd like to preface with the fact that neither is considerably "better", although I do have my views on how some activities affect some maturing as well as social factors.
When we arrived the local Freshmen were participating in "Orientation", which is a 10 day ordeal where the upper class men lead the young guns in chants, dance and stomp formation as well as challenging and sometimes fun games. The first day I came out of the dorms they were aligned in perfect tallest to smallest formation, with no facial expression, facing a small yelling asian girl. The next time I saw them they were holding heavy bottles with their arms raised, balancing on one foot. I naturally inquired about these activities with a local named Garson on my floor who explained to me that that these activities were a tradition devised to make the students bond and get to know each other, but more importantly to learn to be disobedient and on time.
Now back home, the activities were suggested, but seeing as we were teenagers to cool and disobedient to attend events that others put on we would skip/ them and go to the beach or go out drinking instead. This was our own personal form of bonding, but its interesting to note that at no time do the locals consider missing the activities. Mandatory means if they must attend, no thoughts about if they might like it or not are considered.
Now, latter in the quarter after they have gone around and gotten to know everyone with their "hall yearbooks", they have spirit gatherings where they play games around the building and sing the hall chats, continuing their support for the hall. At our basketball game we had two clear sections between the halls, all the supporters came in uniform and aligned uni-formally for their post game chants.
Now on weekends, and most weekdays the exchange students go out to see the town, drink, club or see the horse races. On the side of the spectrum, local students stay in the lounge, play video games, or talk about random things until 5am (see pictures with me playing their games). This is all very different to me because if i'm not doing anything significant back home, I'm asleep by 1: 30 am. On another note their lifestyle is completely sober. Drugs are absolutely never a curiosity, and as explained by my local friends, Chinese kids do as their parents tell them, and rebellion or curiosity are never thoughts of theirs. If they hear it's bad, they're not interested in trying for themselves. This applies to drinking also, as they see white people acting foolish when drunk, and they cannot drink more than a couple beers, they (mostly) completely stay away from the activity.
Now most Westerners talk about how immature the locals are, with girls and boys running around screaming and playing silly games. Most of the girl come of as very childish, and I know for a fact that very few girls back home would ever participate in their orientation games (maybe insecurity?). I agree, they do seem very childish, no sex, no drugs, no rock and roll...which is a bit frustrating. However, the bonds they make here will last them forever, even thought they aren't very interested in meeting people outside their hall, they are forced to make solid bonds within their hall which are very important.
Conclusions? None.
I have a great time with both groups. The locals have introduced me to some fun words, games and good places to eat...so I'm content with both cultures.
