Harvardism: 23 Reasons to Study in the United States

Author: Zhang Hongjie
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: This book was written almost unintentionally, as there wasn't much time spent planning before writing. Instead, the book's outline formed through continuous interviews. The 23 main characters in the book are basically all Chinese university graduates who graduated in July 2002 and immediately flew to the United States for studies. Among them, 12 went to Harvard, 6 to Stanford, and 5 to MIT. This group can be considered the top Chinese university graduates of 2002 and a truly worthy batch of Chinese "young elites." The top three schools are roughly on par, each with its own strengths, and are referred to as the "World's Top Three Universities," which are also world-class superuniversities. The "Top Three Universities" in China refer to Tsinghua, Peking University, and USTC. Chinese high school students also have their preferences for the "Top Three Universities," just as Chinese university students do for the "World's Top Three Universities." Those who get into the "World's Top Three Universities" are quite accomplished in China. I mainly interviewed students who went to Harvard. This year, over 30 Chinese students were admitted to Harvard, and I contacted most of them. Some had already left the U.S. and were unavailable for interviews, others refused to be interviewed, and some simply ignored me. In the end, I was able to interview only 12. Stanford and MIT, two world-class universities, are on the same level as Harvard. I also interviewed Chinese students who went to these two schools this year, and I found many shining qualities in them as well. This book records the struggles of 23 Chinese university graduates who studied in the United States, showcasing the youthful vitality and strong spirit of these Chinese students.