Sherry Xu from Shanghai talks about North Seattle Community College and the University of Washington
Study in the USA: When did you begin your U.S. studies?
Sherry: Some elementary, but started “full-time” at high school.
Study in the USA: What U.S. schools did you attend?
Sherry: Roosevelt High School, North Seattle College, University of Washington and I am currently studying at University of Phoenix (Online Class).
Study in the USA: When did you graduate or when do you plan to graduate? And what is your area of study?
Sherry: I got my BA [Bachelor of Arts] degree in Economics from University of Washington on July, 2011. And I should be able to finish my MBA [Master of Business Administration] by July, 2014.
Study in the USA: How did you come to attend school in the United States?
Sherry: Well, kind of long story. I came to U.S. with my parents when I was 2 years old. They felt the need for me to have some exposure to Chinese culture. So they send me back to international school in China every summer. When I was 7 years old, my parents divorced. My father moved back and he wanted me to be with him but I chose to be with my mother. However, I did go back to China to stay with my grandparents so my mother has some time to settle. I finished elementary and 2-years middle school in China, I visited my mother in U.S. every summer. I came back to U.S. when I was 12 when my mother was ready.
Study in the USA: What was your first day of school in the US like?
Sherry: I remembered the first day at high school was scary, mainly because the classroom atmosphere is very different. In China, each class has at least 40 students and the courses are very intense. However, the class in U.S. has only 20 students. There are lots of discussions and I got called out so many times by the teacher, SCARY!
Study in the USA: What was your biggest surprise about US life?
Sherry: Lots of free time and activities. In China, school usually ends around 5pm, then the students often have to go to other tutoring classes afterward and there are tutoring classes during the weekend.
Study in the USA: How did you handle education finances?
Sherry: Student grant and loans
Study in the USA: How did you handle adjusting to a different educational system?
Sherry: I think I was able to fit right in.
Study in the USA: What were your activities?
Sherry: Sports, Running Start, and I also attended a great program called Upward Bound.
Study in the USA: Was it difficult to make friends?
Sherry: No
Study in the USA: What did you miss about home?
Sherry: My grandparents and other relatives.
Study in the USA: Was the North Seattle Community College program connected to Roosevelt High School is Seattle?
Sherry: Yes, I attended Running Start at North Seattle Community College. I also attended a program at NSCC [North Seattle Community College] called Upward Bound. The program helps high school student with college applications. Upward Bound helped me with the FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] application the first year. The high school student must be first generation in the family plan to attend college, though. My friend recommended me that program and I think it was an awesome program, I made some good friends and mentors there.
Study in the USA: How often do you return to China?
Sherry: I am very close to my grandparents so I make sure to visit them every other year. Fun Note about my Chinese skill from 1-10 (10 being fluent) Listening: 6 Reading: 6 Speaking: 6 ( I speak little mandarin, but I am pretty fluent with the dialect of Shanghai) Writing: 4
Study in the USA: Are you enjoying your U.S. educational experiences?
Sherry: Yes. I feel the class materials used here in U.S. are very different. The materials in U.S. are very close related to daily life, they are more “practical” and useful. On the other hand, the materials in China are challenging. The more you know the better!