<p>I talked to my fellow Asian friend yesterday (I am white) about living on campus and having a traditional college life. He said that living in the dorm in Asia is not considered as fun. They basically considered it as “High pay back torture.” He says that he is a little surprised that in America many people seems to really looking forward (and enjoyed) college life as if they are going to a paradise. He also said that his family look at him as if he is going to jail for four years and gives words to him while he is looking forward to college life like “He is going to get ****ed off.” “He would only eat Ramen noodles.” “Nobody is going to help you when you have problems.” things like that. My question is: What makes us enjoy college life? What makes Asians from Asia view college life as torture? Any opinion?</p>
<p>I am just a little surprised when I hear about that from my Asian friend and want to share this with all of you.</p>
<p>You have to understand that both of you come from VERY different cultures. Eastern vs. Western. Where he comes from people might have different expectations about education (different families even here in the states have different views as to what education should be). Where he comes from it’s also a possibility that the universities don’t have a lot of money to put into student dorms and student living, so rooms may be more cramped, more people per room, etc. </p>
<p>For the Ramen noodles, that’ll be your last resort if you decide to spend your meal plan money unwisely. I have friends who have run into this dilemma. If you’re living in an apartment and all you have is Ramen noodles to eat you have to learn how to cook for yourself rather than rely on the microwave for everything. Some people are just plain lazy, though.</p>
<p>As for people not helping you, some children grow up being told that they must deal with their own problems rather than rely on others. Once again, different family and culture values can be at play here. In my experience, college is a great place to find people to help you with your problems. I feel people, overall, are more mature and open-minded.</p>
<p>College can be fun. It’s what you make out of it.</p>
<p>Oh boy! You’re right. In asia, specially south asia, it’s true.</p>
<p>I don’t know about dorm life at college, but surely I can tell you about life at college dorms at our country (somewhere in Asia).</p>
<p>I’ll be totally honest.
Most people here believes that dorm is a hell. I don’t know much about college life as I don’t go to college. But I had a chance of living at a dorm house for 2 months. What I saw there was problem with food. It was rampant. You know, people from Asia tend to eat rice with hard boiled vegetables, and other things. But at most dorms, the problem isn’t food, it’s the quality of food 
. Dorm officials order cook to make the dishes non delicious. As a result new students who have never lived outside of home face a terrible situation. Most of them shrink after first 6 months 
. There are other things too, as living condition. Many people don’t give up room after graduation and that creates a major problem in housing. As a result, most dorm life isn’t enjoyable at all. In first year, trust me, you’ll go to bed with hunger if you depend on only meals provided in dorms. I can’t say for other countries, but it is the picture of our country. So, most families consider dorm life as a hell.</p>
<p>Oh, that’s why. What I’ve seen (as a 12th grader) is that colleges are making their best on food and promotes how good their food are. In Louisiana, for instance, Louisiana State University has so many fast food restaurants (e.g. Chick-fil-a, McDonald’s, Panda Express) and 2 all-you-can-eat buffets. Tulane and Loyola can go to each other’s school cafeterias, while Tulane has really decent food. Also, one of their “points” while these schools are promoting themselves are how good their food are. So, it seems like there are quite a few differences between the US and Asian countries. Thanks for sharing, farcry007.</p>
<p>Also Asian universities are set up much differently than American ones. The stress levels seem to be much higher and they don’t have the idea of the “college experience” whereas in America that’s a big reason why students opt to go to a four year residential institution which may cost much more than commuting to their local community college/ state school.</p>
<p>IMO, dorming is awesome at many schools because it’s one of the very few times in your life where you’ll live almost exclusively with people your own age. You’re all there for a somewhat similar reason, and the residence halls often make concerted efforts to increase community, something that is largely absent at most Asian institutions.</p>
<p>I enjoy college life because I’ve made so many connections with other people and my girlfriend who I enjoy spending time with. Classes are okay and sometimes can be interesting but the real fun is the people you meet. </p>
<p>I’ll be in my senior year coming this fall so I’m glad that I’ll finally be moving on so I don’t have to worry about finals, midterms, and busy work in classes. I finally figured out my passion which is helping people and my community. It was fun.</p>
<p>I see now. So there’s a cultural difference.</p>
<p>I am mainly Asian and I remember when I was a kid and when I used to give them a hard time, they would tell me that they would send me to a boarding school in India. An Asian country’s dorms just suck! That is the simple answer to your question 
.</p>