Why Do I Come to Saint Michael's College in Vermont?

“Where is Vermont?” “What kind of school are you attending?” These are the two most popular questions that I have been asked by my Chinese friends since I came to Saint Michael’s College. After I graduated from my high school in the U.S, I came to Vermont. A small state located in the northeastern part in the country, Vermont is one of six states in the New England area, and it is the only New England state that is not nearby the sea. Whenever I introduce my college to my friends, my parents’ friends and some relatives in China, few people know this place. I always forgive them because many Chinese employees who have been working in the U.S for more than 15 years do not even know where Vermont is. Many people like living in California and studying on campus that is nearby by Pacific. Nevertheless, a huge benefit of living in Vermont is skiing and other outdoor activities. Vermont has one of the best skiing mountains around the world, and there are a lot of European come to local resorts for vacation. I come from a place where skiing is not very popular, so I want to learn how to ski and do something that I could not usually do in China here in Vermont.

The biggest reason that I chose Saint Michael’s College is I AM HERE FOR STUDYING - not for partying or shopping in downtown Chicago or Boston twice a week. Even though we do not have many schools with “brand names” in Vermont, there are many excellent colleges. I keep telling myself. I do not want to make my parents disappointed in me while they spend a lot of money for my tuition. I want to push myself, not only in studying, but also in culturally adapting. The reason why I did not want to go to a big university is because I know I am not a student who can sit in a “stair classroom” with 300 classmates together for 3 hours. I prefer a small classroom and closer relationship with my professors. If I did not usually talk to my professors and ask them for help, I would feel lost in my classes.

I was not an “all A’s” student in high school because I was always doubting the proficiency of my English skills, and did not feel confident academically. Every day after school, my high school offered “conferences” for students. Conferences are more like “office hours.” Our teachers sit in their classrooms and wait for students who have questions to ask. I love this conference because it helps me a lot on my academic performance and know my teacher more. This is why I like a smaller liberal arts college, because the educational system of a liberal arts college like Saint Michael’s College is very supportive for Chinese students.

The second reason that I came to Saint Michael’s College is that there are much fewer Chinese students in a liberal arts college than a university. I have many friends who currently attend big universities. From my observation of them, the only times they speak English are either in classrooms or in shopping malls. They do not live on campus, but they rent a house or an apartment with friends who are from the same country. It seems that there is a bandwagon or pattern already made for the rest of Chinese international students. However, as one of 300,000 Chinese international students in the U.S, I honestly do not want to follow the general trend that most Chinese students already follow. Consequently, I know I would not challenge myself if I also go follow that “pattern” which would not make my life of study abroad meaningful and valuable. I believe the best way to adapt to a new culture is to try the traditional lifestyle locally, and living with other students from other countries like the U.S. helps me do this.

Now, I have lived in a dormitory for my first two years in college, and I moved to a suite for my junior year. Even though I might not be as independent as some Chinese international students living outside the school, I truly want to say it is such a wonderful experience living on campus. I have learned a lot of things from living with American students and other international students from different countries on the same floor.

In conclusion, before Chinese parents send their children to the U.S for studying, I hope Chinese parents could think carefully about making the smartest decision in going to college in the U.S. and what their expectations for their kids are. Is the purpose of studying abroad just to study, or to train their children for independence and enrich their insights?