Seek Science, Meet Jesus: KU Chinese Student's Experience With Local Christian Influence

Abstract

In "Seek Science, Meet Jesus," I examine how Chinese students at the University of Kansas in Lawrence interact with local Christians and respond to conversion forces imposed by local evangelical churches. Being atheistic or non-Christian culturally and ideologically, most KU Chinese students reveal curiosity about the American Christian culture and show more responsiveness to American Christian influences than students from other countries. The educational process of Chinese students in Lawrence is characterized by not only the export of American academic standards and religious culture but also Chinese people's longing for modernization. The students' status as educated sojourners makes them different from immigrants and determines that they show resistance and autonomy to the host religious culture.