If you took a poll in America and you asked, "Have you ever been called on by a teacher and did not want to be?", many would answer yes. I read the article, "Struggle Means Learning: Difference in Eastern and Western Cultures", by MindShift. The article is about a man named Jim Stigler, a professor from UCLA, who went to Japan and sat in a Japanese classroom. He was doing research at the time about the difference between Eastern and Western culture education. He soon found that Eastern culture believes struggle is opportunity. In Western Cultures like America it is believed struggle is the reflection of your intellect. Eastern cultures believe struggle is a part of any journey and is a must to achieve your goals. Struggle in a way to them is a necessity. Separately in Western cultures intelligence is a direct reflection of who you are and who you become. Unlike in Asian cultures they believe intelligence is not who you are but an obstacle you can overcome if you can battle with your inner demons.
I really enjoyed reading the article. It makes me sit back and think about how I am in school. I beat myself up when I mess up sometimes and when I receive a bad grade I feel disappointed. But education is not who I am on the inside. I am more than just a student. I am a wife. I am a world traveler. I am more than what meets the eye.
Resources:
Struggle Means Learning: Difference in Eastern and Western Cultures
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