Humility
Did you know
Chinese students tend to downplay their expertise and knowledge especially in front of people with perceived higher authority?
For faculty and staff, it is important to determine if students are being too modest when describing their ability to handle coursework and opportunities.
Oftentimes, they sell themselves short of their true capabilities.
Self-Humility is taught to Chinese students by their parents and teachers from an early age.
Self-confidence and pride in one’s abilities are discouraged, because Chinese culture values the collective over the individual, as all members play a role in one’s success.
How can you help?
Ask students about concrete experiences and education backgrounds to gauge their ability to be successful in future coursework or opportunities.
Ask for specifics with regard to skills or knowledge needed for a specific opportunity.
A Student’s Perspective:
“Last semester, I wanted to take a course, and I talked to the professor who taught the course. When we met, he asked: ‘How good are you in bacteriology?’ ‘Just so-so,’ I responded, in a traditionally Chinese humble way, even though I was very good at it. He then said, ‘My course is very difficult and only super smart students can pass it. I think you’d better not take it because you might get a C or D in my class.’ I didn’t take the class even though I knew I could handle it.”
