Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

If you ask Chinese students why they choose to study abroad, top of the list is to experience an exotic culture. But while immersing oneself in a culture involves exchanges of ideas with local people and those traveling there, most overseas Chinese students just group together and hang out with their own compatriots.

They know it's problematic, but they still behave that way. They feel it's better to stay in their home to watch a Hollywood blockbuster than spend an evening going out to a party in which people barely know each other.

A UK Council for Overseas Student Affairs report in 2004 stated that Chinese students were one of the few groups on campus that mainly socialize with their fellow nationals rather than among international groups. I felt the same when I was studying in the UK in 2010. Even after I returned to China, I constantly read reports about overseas Chinese students that point to their failure to blend in local communities. For years, the prevailing image of Chinese students overseas has remained the same. It seems to be a topic that never goes out of fashion.

Grouping up doesn't seem exclusive to Chinese students. But as the Chinese constitute a large proportion of international students abroad, the behavior of Chinese students is a subject that can be picked up easily.

This reminds me of my experience in the UK. Once we had a small group, with just two foreign classmates, to discuss our assignment in English. One Italian guy spoke a bit fast, and a Chinese girl whispered to me, in Chinese, "What did he say?" The Italian guy felt offended and asked me, "What did she say?" I replied, "She didn't catch your words." He showed a strange look, "Why not stop me and ask?"

It explains one part of the problem. Due to the problems that Chinese kids are taught they can bring on themselves by speaking out, people behave in a reserved way. They fear they may cause trouble to others if they ask for help. It is particularly so when they are in a foreign country. For instance, when Chinese students whose English is not really up to snuff have difficulties in class, they wouldn't think of chatting with their tutors or e-mailing them for assistance. Most of the time, they stay silent or just grumble with other Chinese.

Perhaps in China, it is impolite to directly ask for something, which is a stark contrast to the Western way. In the US or Europe, people frankly say what they like or dislike.

In a Western environment, Chinese students should learn to place themselves in an equal position with their foreign counterparts and be brave about expressing their thoughts freely. Unfortunately, they themselves view foreign students through different lens. This constitutes the other part of the problem.

While Chinese students feel shy about speaking English with Western students due to their poor command of English, they have a perception that the accent of other overseas students, like Indians, are also hard to understand. But then they see Indian students are happier about chatting and interacting with Westerners than they are. It is easier for Indian students to blend into the Western community and they are more active in classes and social activities, and so they are more able to make the best of their chance to study abroad.

But this doesn't stop the Chinese students from having a sense of superiority and thus they choose not to communicate with their Indian counterparts, meaning they'll never know why they are often squeezed out by their Indian classmates in study.

Interpersonal interactions are a subtle game, especially in an international context. If China is really ready to embrace the whole world and become a big power, Chinese students overseas must adopt an open mind to communicate with foreigners, no matter where they come from.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. wangwenwen@globaltimes.com.cn