Xueli
1
Mediation Essay
English 250
10/29/2012
Jiale Li, a 14 year old Chinese girl who barely had any elementary or high
school education did an exceptional job in the 2012 college entrance exam. She was
accepted by three of the major universities in China. Eventually, she decided to enroll
at the University of Hong Kong, which offered her a full scholarship
[Luch].Attending college at such an early age is unusual and may present some
potential problems for social development. Hence, in order to provide a perfect
solution for young students preparing for college enrollment, there is a need for
mediation.
Coming back to the example, Jiale surely has shown incredible academic
learning skills, and has surpassed many of her peers at this moment. However, she is
definitely not at the right stage of life to enter college. Quite a similar example is
found in Florida, United States, where a13 year old girl, who nearly completed her
high-school curriculum via homeschooling, tried to take dual-enrollment courses at
Lake-Sumter Community College last year. She was denied entry because the
administrators thought she was too young for college [Moltz]. She has not acquired
the capability to determine right or wrong or what is good for her. According to
Wikianswers, an average person finished his or her puberty at age 16. As a fourteen
year old girl, Jiale starts to hit puberty when she starts to develop her values and
morals. If Jiale goes to college right now she could easily be misguided or hurt
without adequate parenting guidance.
Xueli
2
As a homeschooled student, Jiale did not interact much with kids at her own
age. She went to 3rd, 7th and 10th grade in school and spent the rest of her time
studying with her mother [Luch]. One of the major side effects of homeschooling is
that children miss out opportunities to be socially engaged. They do not learn how to
communicate or behave in group settings. This is obviously a vital skill in living and
working as an adult [homeschool-companion]. Another disadvantage of homeschool
is transition. Leaving home to attend public schools is a big adjustment for parents
and children. In fact, Jiale’s experience in school was always at home so the
classroom setting posed a big challenge for her. What if she is afraid of expressing her
ideas in public or being unable to manage her time properly? One needs to take
account of the way she has been educated and make further decisions.
There are certainly advantages for Jiale to enter college at this point. Living
and studying in a city like Hong Kong helps Jiale in her pursuit of academics. For
years, many students from mainland China have been going to universities in Hong
Kong rather than stay in local learning institutions. Often described as “oriental meets
the west”, Hong Kong preserves the long Chinese tradition and mixes with western
cultures. The reason for Hong Kong being so special in China is because of its history
and background. In 1842, Hong Kong became a British crown colony after the first
Opium War. Not until 1997, was Hong Kong handed back by the British to be a
Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. “It was a modern metropolis of well
over six million souls, used to a free economy, a free press and the rule of law”
[Schwarz]. It has freedom of expression and demonstration to a degree unheard
anywhere in mainland China. In places like Hong Kong where it enjoys massive
information exposure, studying there will help to ensure Jiale an excellent college
experience and a bright future.
Xueli
3
In the special case, Jiale went to study at the University of Hong Kong for its
high education quality. However as a 14 year old girl, she should not consider going
to college because of an immature mind and homeschool background. In order to take
advantages from both alternatives, mediation is urged. Taking a gap year or staying
high school while taking college level courses would be best for Jiale. Taking a gap
year refers to spending time undertaking activities such as traveling, working,
volunteering or doing community services before or after education. “During stages
of life when people are uncertain about continuing education or working, taking a gap
year gives one an experience to really get to know oneself” [Buscher]. Jiale has a
fixed schedule on specific subjects to learn designed by her mother, and she follows
the schedule everyday[新京报]. Does she really know what specific area she wants to
study? Someone so young could have difficulty choosing an area of study that will
suit her lifestyle. It will take time for her to realize her area of interest and a gap year
surely helps her to figure it out. So, taking a gap year will force Jiale stay away from
her parents and make decisions on her own. If Jiale takes a gap year, it will help her to
come back with a sense of what she wants and the necessary skills to become a
successful person.
Another mediation is to stay another year in high school while also take
college level courses. Like any prestigious learning institutions, “the University of
Hong Kong offer many online courses which deliver essential course content with
discussion forum to foster interactive exchanges between students and teachers
beyond the classroom” [School of Business,HKU]. Jiale can stay another year in local
high school and take online courses from the University of Hong Kong. By practicing
this option, Jiale gets to spend more time with kids at her own age and she can
practice her social and communication skills. She may be happy with her levels of
Xueli
4
studies---finally some higher level of academics. It is a win-win situation where both
of her needs are satisfied.
To sum up, Jiale faces the dilemma of whether to enroll in university at an
early age or not. If she goes to college, it can be a harmful experience because she can
be misleaded at such an early age. If Jiale does not go to college, she might miss a
wonderful learning opportunity. In reality, Jiale did choose to attend the University of
Hong Kong eventually. So taking a gap year or staying in high school will be the best
to the young students like Jiale in the long run, because it offers them a chance to
mature and understand the difference they have from traditional students.
Xueli
5
Work Cited:
Luch. "14 Year-Old Girl Prodigy Admitted By Peking University, Tsinghua
University, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong." China Blog. N.p., n.d. Web.
30 Oct. 2012
Moltz, David "Too Young for College?” Inside Higher Ed. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct.
2012.
"Disadvantages of Homeschooling” Homeschool-Companion. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct.
2012
Schwarz, Tim. "Hong Kong SAR 15 Years On: Is It Still Special?” CNN. Cable News
Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.
"When Does Puberty End?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2012.
“河南 14 岁女孩李佳乐高考 677 分 遭清华北大哄抢” 新京报. 24 July. 2012. Web. 30
Oct. 2012.
Buscher, Mike. “Gap year before college give grads valuable life experience”
USATODAY. 04 Nov. 2012.
"School of Business, HKU -." School of Business, HKU -. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2012