Globalization has increased the interconnections between people around the world. As technology and transportation advanced, global transitioned from a world apart to a world together by processes of trades and exploration. As a result, globalization has led to an increase in the international student population in the United State. In recent years, 5.5 percent of the total United States higher education population is made up of international students, and Chinese international students made up a large portion of that. The degrees that those students are pursuing are diverse, but in this discussion, we are going to take a look at those Chinese international students who are majoring in music. So who exactly are those Chinese international music majors? Among all those other countries with famous conservatories, why do they choose America? What does their life look like as a musician studying abroad? How are music curricula in America different from those in China? What are their goals? Despite their ethnic difference, how do they integrate the American musician communities?
Interview
I met Tyler Lui at a piano concert in Hartt School of Music a year ago. He is a Doctor of Music Art student at Hartt School of Music, and this is his second year studying abroad. When I asked him what his life was like as an international music student he smiled bitterly.
“It was difficult because of the language barriers and the unfamiliar environment. You didn’t know anybody there, so there was no one to rely on. It becomes extremely difficult when you are sick and especially when you are still not accustomed to American food. I gave up trying to adapt to fast food a long time ago, I teach myself how to cook Chinese food so that I can cater to my preference. Language barriers were my main concern, no matter how high I scored on the TOEFL exam or how hard I tried in my English classes when I was in China, it is completely different when I am communicating with an English speaker. My mind goes blink, I can only catch certain words and guest the meanings of their conversations. Furthermore, international students have to pay ridiculous high tuition that is twice as much as normal in-state tuition. Our lives are stressful, sometimes we have to work multiple part-time jobs to afford the tuition, but we still have to save time to practice our instruments and complete assignments.“
Certainly, studying abroad alone is not an easy decision. Most Chinese international students failed to integrate the American society. They tend to have their own Chinese international student community and mainly hangout with people in the same ethnic group. The strong cultural differences and language barrier have impeded their integration. Most of the time their only interactions with American students are during rehearsals. Hence, their endeavor and courage are imponderable. Their passion in music has become their motivation to overcome their barriers. The idea of self-enhancement is the unified goal among those Chinese international music majors.
“I decide to study music in the United States because there are more opportunities here. Moreover, I believe that it is better to study abroad since my studies are focused on Western music. “
In China, there are very limited resources for young musicians due to overpopulation. Even though the circumstances are different between school to school, most of the students in universities have to deal with practice rooms and stage shortages, and inadequate scholarships. Students barely have any opportunities to have their recitals. Tyler Lui continued to say that.
“The music curricula are more diverse in American universities. Students are required to take various courses such as Orchestration, Opera, Ethnomusicology, World Music, and different chamber or ensemble groups. I got my Bachelor’s degree at Hunan Normal University and concluding from my own experience and conversation with my friends from other universities, I believe that the music curricula in Chinese state universities are very basic and monotonous. However, I don’t know if this is true among Chinese conservatories.”
Chinese state universities and conservatories are more devoted to Chinese traditional music than Western music. There are more courses for Chinese traditional instruments, piano, and strings than there are for Western wind instruments. In American universities, curricula are designed in a comprehensive way. For example, participation is required, there are more projects, presentations, and in class discussions. In China, since there are so many students in a classroom, their teaching methods focus more on reception learning. Therefore, many young musicians decided to pursue their higher education abroad. Self and skill-enhancement are the goals for those Chinese international students who pursue music studies in America. They seek for better opportunities, they are eager to improve their skills and acquire more knowledge to become a better musician. Nevertheless, prejudice and discrimination continue to exist among some individuals. The strong cultural difference impeded those young Chinese musicians from integrating into American society.
