Taiwan Student Compares Countries' Cultures Shanshan]en frequently appeared to be working on math homework during her other classes. I recently discovered why. Her calculator not only computes numbers , but also words. Shanshan's native language is Chinese , and she used her small computer to learn English words. Shanshan, whose given name is Shuhui , is a native of Taipei , Taiwan . A 20-yearold sophomore mass communication major, Shanshan is a very fun-loving young woman with a great sense of humor. She is third in a line of five children, which is reflected in her nickname. In Chinese, Shanshan means "coral ," and sounds like "three-three." Her given name indicates that her parents have high expectations for her: Shu-hui means "virtuous housewife " and "wisdom." Shanshan gets riled when people ask whether she is communist. She is very adamant about the fact that Taiwan is an independent country. She distinguishes between the Republic of China , Taiwan and the People's Republic of China, "Red China." Taiwan is not communist. Forty years ago , communists took over China . Many people escaped to the small island of Taiwan . This new country began Shanshan enjoys spending time w ith her friends in the student center. She found the Ameri can culture ve1y different from her own . with ve1y little and has grown into a flourishing young nation. Shanshan tates that it is a very progressive .nation which has imported many western influences. he says that the cost of living is ve1y high, and the living tandard is equivalent to that of Japan. Despite its progressiveness, Taiwan is still ve1y Oriental. Public display of affection are frowned upon. There is almost no hugging or kissing in public. In high school , students are not allowed to date. hanshan said that those caught even holding hands were warned that dating is a waste of time and that they should concentrate on their studies. Ironically, parents later become nervous if their child has no boyfriend or girlfriend in college. adly, this lack of physical affection i present also in Taiwanese families. Shanshan said that her parents hugged and touched her ve1y seldom after she stopped being a "little girl." After this point , hugs are only for those who are "in love." Incidentally, the first time she was hugged by a stranger at Harding, she was so shocked that she screamed. But she has since become a very good and willing hugger. There are things that hanshan misses about Taiwan, such as her family , genuine Chinese food , corner grocery stores and late night shopping. But she likes America. Her o lder sister is at Freed-Hardeman College. Her older brother want to come here after he completes his mandatory military duty. And her mother would like to mov here someday. If the rest of her family are as sweet as Shanshan, America will be a better place with them here. - Melissa Forrest Caroline Fielder- Clarksville , T Susan Fitzgerald - Sacramento. CA Kenyon Fletcher - Ocala , FL Beth Foster- Texarkan:1, TX Jason Frederick- Sea rcy. AR Gretchen French - Omaha . NE Shane Gage - Benbrook, TX Rochelle Gann - 11.11n ilton, AL Carrie Gansner - rc'>lu'" !1-10 Bonnie Gant - Littleton. .o Paula Garroutte - Wichita , KS Katie Gentry - Mabelvale, AR Sherry Gentry- Sea rcy. AH Michelle German - Forrest City, AR Lisa Gilstrap - Bed fo rd , IN Sophomores 235
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