Teacher to Student Relationship in Hong Kong

According to the conversation I had with Rachel Lewis, the relationship between student and professor in HongKong is very different than what we, as Americans, are used to. Here in the states, I know that I can raise my hand and make a comment about something that a professor has said. Whether that be starting an argument, or simply asking a question is really not that big of a deal. In fact, in many class settings here it is good to have someone start conversation amongst classmates so that the learning environment is much more involving for the students.
Not so in HongKong.
I found this blog post by Jennifer Farr, an American teacher for Kindergartners in Hong Kong:

"In kindergarten, the students are three to six years old. Once they turn six they can attend primary school. Kindergarten is like boot-camp for primary school. They beat the kids into submission with listening and rule-obeying skills.

The impression I get from the Chinese teachers is that fun is an after-school activity. Because this opposes my learning philosophies, I enter Chinese classes and get the kids moving and engage them in dramatic play. The teachers look worried. It’s like I’m the phys.ed. teacher in elementary school. Phys.ed. is the one class that EVERY student likes because thinking is not a requirement. I often wonder how this strict environment effects these small children. Every class bows and chants in unison “Good Morning Miss Jenny” and the Chinese teachers are so proud. I wonder if these kids need to be making a mess with paints and getting muddy in the nearby creek. The one reason that I appreciate this serious classroom style is because it nullifies any behavioral problems. Even three year olds will obey without a complaint. And they don’t pull the normal three year old trick of pretending that they don’t hear you. It would seem that respecting authority is drilled into Chinese from the womb."-Jennifer Farr

So it seems that the same goes for college students. The Chinese culture inhibits the students to have a great deal of respect towards their teachers. So much so, that the students' role is to do no more than receive that which the teacher is giving in their lectures. Although this will be difficult for me to get used to, I admire their principles. In fact, I intend to use this as a tool for helping them understand how to have a relationship with God through following Christ's example. As Bill Fort (my pastor) said today in his sermon, "All of us in some way refer to Jesus as a great prophet or teacher in our personal relationship with him." Publicly we, as Christ followers, may proclaim him as Lord of all. However when Jesus teaches us how to give 10% of our income to him, we ignore his teaching disregarding and yes disrespecting his authority as Lord. I hope to follow their principles as a student in hopes of improving my respect towards my Savior. For I know that He has much more to show me and I am ready to receive it!