As an educator, I have found that work and education have priority vover personal happiness for my Chinese students, both in China and abroad. Chinese students work ex- tremely hard, keeping a serious mien, while American students are often casual and joy- ful, and sometimes rather cavalier regarding their studies. This contrast in academic atti- tudes is deeper than differences in textbooks, curriculum and teaching methodology. The core cultural values of how people per- ceive themselves are at stake. Chinese view themselves as members who are connected naturally to an extended network; Americans see themselves as free-willed individuals striving for personal success.