Transcript
A
N A T U R A L
C H O I C E
F O R
S T U D Y
I N
C A N A D A
A
N A T U R A L
ni hao
I am Chinese Hosting a student from China can be a great adventure for your family, although you may find a Chinese student’s way of life is very different from how we live in Canada. This information package will provide interesting facts and information about your student, the country they live in, and some of their traditions and ways of life which will help you to better understand him or her. Remember, School District No.73’s International Education team is always here to answer questions to help make this experience a positive one for both you and your international student. POPULATION: 1.38 billion, the most populous country in the world LANGUAGE: Mandarin, Standard Chinese GOVERNMENT: Communist state
MONEY: Yuan (or Renminbi) CAPITAL: Beijing (Peking) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Himalayas MAJOR RIVERS: Yangtze, Yellow
5 Facts About China FACT #1: China is the 4th largest country in the world. FACT #2: China uses 45 billion chopsticks per year. FACT #3: Table tennis is China’s national sport. FACT #4: A new skyscraper is built in China every five days. FACT #5: You can buy green bean-flavoured ice pops in China.
kamloops-isp.net
C
A
N A T U R A L
C H O I C E
F O R
S T U D Y
I N
C A N A D A
A
N A T U R A L
Living with A Chinese Student Meals In China, rice is considered a main dish with everything else considered side dishes. Chinese students prefer hot dishes as opposed to cold food. Hot chili sauce is a favourite to have available as a condiment. BREAKFAST: Rice porridge with a side such as preserved black eggs, salty duck eggs, or plain crepe rolls. LUNCH: Rice with stir fry consisting of pork and vegetables. Noodle bowls are also eaten. DINNER: Rice with stir fry dishes and a healthy soup. • Most Chinese prefer tea to coffee and they are not used to having milk in their tea as green tea is most commonly their preferred beverage.
Character & Etiquette Being a state of ceremonies, etiquette is an important part of its traditional culture. Chinese people are known to the world for their politeness and good manners, although direct eye contact is quite rare. Most Chinese tend to be reserved. If a Chinese student has difficulty expressing themselves properly, they will perhaps keep silent. Chinese are often good listeners but not good speakers. • “Please,” “Thank you,” and “Excuse Me” are used with elders and strangers. • It’s considered rude to wipe or blow your nose during or at a meal. • If a Chinese student doesn’t like a meal, they will say they are full.
Housing & Family • Typically in a home in China, bathroom and bedroom doors will remain closed. Bathrooms are small and will have a central drain hole with the shower in one corner of the room, so it’s fine for water to be all over the floor as it can just drain away. They often wear slippers at home. • Because many Chinese students are only children, they aren’t used to other kids. Chinese families stay together and when older, children don’t necessarily leave the home but continue to live with the family. It’s not uncommon for a few generations to live under the same roof.
HELPFUL FACTS • They do not drink tap water, because they think unboiled water is bad for health. • They might rinse dishes in cold water before using them. • They like to give presents as tokens of friendship. • Chinese people are quite concerned by matters of health. Sore throats, cuts, hives and allergies are taken very seriously. • They are often not good travellers ie: they can get carsick • 18 years old is considered an adult and the legal age for drinking, driving, and purchasing and smoking tobacco.
A TYPICAL DAY FOR A CHINESE STUDENT 6:30am
• Chinese students associate basement bedrooms with a room in the garage, they do not realize that our basement rooms are part of the main living area of the home.
Awake for the day and have breakfast
7:15am
Off to school
• On weekends, Chinese students aren’t used to going outside adventuring. They typically like to sleep, watch TV, or go shopping.
7:30–11:30am
Studies/classes
11:30–1:00pm
Lunch break
1:30–4:00pm
Studies/classes
5:00pm
Light dinner
• Bathrooms in China usually have no tub, but a shower only.
6:30–8:30pm
Homework
• Chinese girls typically don’t shave their armpits.
10:00pm
Bedtime
Hygiene • Brushing and flossing teeth are common, but mouthwash is uncommon to Chinese students. • Students will likely need to be reminded to look after their teeth and to have a shower every day.
1770 Springview Place Kamloops BC, V2E 1X9 Phone: 778-471-6075 Fax: 250-377-2258
ispcanada.ca
C
