University of Applied Sciences, Fulda

China

Part One

As maintained by a Chinese value survey, quoted in Hofstede, "Cultures and Organisations", China is strongly collectivist. The individuals have few desires, are moderate, try to follow the middle way, are careful, and try to adapt as much as possible. Hofstede summarises the teachings of Confucius, which strongly influence the Chinese society, as follows: 1) The stability of society is based on
unequal relationships between people; 2) The family is the prototype of all social organisations; 3) Virtuous behaviour towards others consists of not treating others as one would not like to be treated oneself; and 4) Virtue with regard to one’s tasks in life consists of trying to acquire skills and education, working hard, not spending more than necessary, being patient, and preserving (1991:165).
The Chinese interviewee comments on the educational system as follows, ". . . we had no choices, of course, we had to study in the schedule what’s the department has designed for us . . . we go to classes according to the timetable . . . quite strictly constructed . . . we should hand in homework, I think it’s also part of the final score . . ."
The relationship is very hierarchical: "They [the teachers] are the upper class and we are the lower, ha, ha, ha, . . . quite difficult to set up an informal relationship between the professors and the students, of course, I think they’re academic and not so–not so good at personal communication . . ." Personal relationships can have an influence on one's results: "I think with some professors who are familiar with us we should, we should always behave friendly and kindly to him or her, because their personal attitude sometimes played an important role in this course . . ."
The university and the authorities at the university are the source of help to the students because they are not able to help themselves: ". . . all the problems should be solved by the professor or the secretary at the department, not by ourselves, of course, we have no competence to help, we have no capability to solve the problems."