Xueer Liu, Voorhees High School, New Jersey, the United States

    As an exchange student in America, I have already seen big differences between the Chinese and American education systems. Recently I interviewed David Steffan, principal of Voorhees High School (VHS) where I’m studying. He explained how an American high school operates.

    Mr. Steffan thinks a principal’s job is to promote all students, not just academics. He wants the students to be responsible, respectful and realize their talent. “I would like to think that everyone is equal. We offer various classes at different levels, so we service everyone,” he said.

    According to Mr. Steffan, the most important characteristic of VHS is that quite a few students are involved in community service. The number of students who donate blood has been No.2 out of three states during Blood Drives. They also run Food Drives and Clothing Drives. Many students are volunteers in hospitals.

    Many Chinese are curious to know how American students join in so many activities and still study well. Mr. Steffan says students have to learn to budget their time. American people think that the best students are the busiest students. They challenge themselves academically as well as taking part in many activities like sports, clubs, competitions and church groups.

    In America, many people think it is important to play sports, but Mr. Steffan doesn’t fully agree because “some people are gifted in art or music instead of playing sports. They are also excellent.” However, Mr. Steffan suggested people take part in sports activities. “Joining a sport can show people that you are not only intelligent but also active and healthy,” he said.

    In China, people judge the quality of a high school by the percentage of students who perform well in the college entrance exams. American people have different point of view. In VHS, 97 percent of the students go on to further education. Some are two-year colleges, some are Ivy League. Sometimes students go to two-year colleges because they don’t have enough money. Sometimes they think they are too immature to go to college so they attend a community college.

    Mr. Steffan thinks a school should try to make students understand they are important and help improve their self-confidence. “Do the best you can and find your own talent” is what Mr. Steffan wants to say to all students.

    More and more Chinese students now dream of going to American universities, which are looking for balanced students with good grades. “’Selling yourself’ is what I have to offer. And don’t be shy,” he suggested.