| Abstract: | For over a century foreign educators have entered China as teachers and administrators. While political turmoil and change has dictated the numbers and the nationalities of those participating, there has been no period since the 1860s when foreign educators were absent from Chinese institutions of higher learning. The purpose of this study is to look at the role played by these foreigners and to judge how they perceived their responsibilities in China and how the Chinese viewed their presence.The introduction of this study outlines the differences between Chinese and foreigners concerning educational mission and pedagogical issues. Because of divergent cultural backgrounds, the differences prove striking. The second section of the study takes a look at the role of foreigners in China's higher education system from the days of the Qing dynasty up to the present.This study shows that, despite a new wave of openness in China today, foreign and Chinese educators still face cross-cultural problems that foster misunderstanding and distrust. While the future may hold promise for more understanding, the immediate past and present give no hints of such changes arriving soon. |
