Asian student perspectives on American university instruction

The number of Asian students pursuing university education in the United States has increased dramatically in the last decade. Although Asian students are highly critical of American social life in general, most express approval of their educational experience. This approval is based upon freedom of choice in the course of study selection and upon the democratic structure of professor-student interaction, especially during classroom instruction. Although the majority of Asian students expressing opinions on the matter enjoyed the opportunity for relations with their professors, they were also critical of the informality and lack of respect with which American professors are treated. Interviews of Asian students in the United States revealed enthusiasm for the “open,” dialectical predilection of American professors, who were said to be interested in making contact with the processes of thinking and analysis of their students.