Studying abroad can provide an opportunity to radically broadening a person’s perspective on life. However, most Chinese students who have studied abroad lived very confined lives. Frequently they lived in the same place for several years. On campus, they met the same people, said the same things, and even bought the same merchandise from the same stores. During holidays the same families took turns hosting get-togethers. I spent several Christmases with the same people, but in different homes. The topics of conversation were the same as those of the previous years, except that the speakers could no longer remember what they had said the year before and the listeners did not recall that they had heard it before.

From this account it appears that many Chinese students in the United States had less than satisfying social lives. They denied themselves the opportunity to improve their English and the chance to develop their abilities to interact with Americans and people from other cultures. This can have negative effects on their academic performance, their possibilities for obtaining financial aid, and their prospects for internships and professional employment in the United States.

This section offers ideas for those who wish to avoid the situation described above, and would rather have a more rewarding and beneficial experience in the United States.

1. Distinguishing features of American campus life
2. Special challenges for Chinese
3. Helpful social skills
4. Learning the helpful social skills