MAINELAND: Arriving From The Mainland

Maineland follows the journey of a group of students, in particular, Harry and Stella, from Mainland China during their high school abroad experience in the US. The title is pun-y as people refer to China as “Mainland” and in this film, these students come to the US, to experience “Maine” land. Their experience is as breezy as Maine’s coast. There are no remarkable challenges for these students in their experience abroad.

However, for anyone curious as to what it is like to for a Chinese student to experience the US, this film does capture the questions that they are likely to ask themselves as well as how they compare the two worlds. It is in these comparisons that you can appreciate the dichotomy in cultural values that they attempt to reconcile.

Exporter of the Largest Number of Students

With the increasing number of international students now attending schools in the US, the highest percentage of these students come from China. From a world perspective, China has become a economic power with many of its people growing exponentially in wealth. As a result, a number of Chinese families send their children abroad, to become educated in the hope that they will become international leaders in business and other areas.

Maineland captures the experiences of such students, who were recruited, interviewed and selected by the Fryeburg Academy (based in Portland, Maine), particularly following the lives of Harry and Stella. The scenes of their home and lifestyle reflect their family’s affluence and implication of easy access to opportunities abroad. The film follows how these wealthy families live and spend their leisure time. It feels luxurious and yet, their leisure comes with a higher price or sense of responsibility toward ensuring future success, for both this and next generation. This impression is strong throughout the documentary film.

During the Fryeburg application process, each student explains his or her desire to attend school in the US. It is narrated through individual voice which is powerful and personal, compared to reading an application response on screen. Interestingly, they all seem to have a similar impression of the US. Many express desire for less homework, more freedom and fun. Where do they get this perception…  from watching American television shows and movies?

The film captures how regimented even physical education is in China, where the students line up in perfect rows and do exactly the same poses in synchronicity. Later in the film, you see the Chinese students standing on the sideline during physical education at the Fyreburg Academy, watching the balls randomly fly by. They aren’t quite sure what to do. It is humorous to see their limited reaction toward the random balls flying at them.

Maineland Versus The Mainland

The selected students arrive to Fryeburg Academy in Portland, Maine. At this school, they are challenged to think differently and have clear opinions. As their journey progresses, their discussions about the dichotomy of cultural values, goals and behaviors intersect and challenge them.

The principle of individualism in the US: What do I want to for myself versus the principle of collectivism in China: What must I do that is best for all. They have to reconcile these differing values, to make the two worlds work for them. This reconciliation process is reflected in  Stella’s college decision to double-major in education and business, to balance her desire to become a teacher and her parents’ desire for Stella to succeed in the family business.

It could be interpreted that the film offers the possibility that one could perhaps balance the two worlds…it does not have to be a choice. This will depend on how the viewer chooses to appreciate this struggle.

Conclusion: A Balanced Look at Cultural Differences 

In the end, their cultural values prevail but now they see other possibilities for themselves, after their being educated in the US. Overall, the documentary film takes a balanced view with no judgement as to which educational or cultural system is better. The students are very different people and as a result, their experiences and responses diverge a bit.

Maineland captures what students are feeling, thinking and experiencing with relatable empathy.

Where would you prefer to study, Maineland or the Mainland? Tell us in the comments below!

Maineland was released on March 16, 2018. For more information on where to see Maineland, please check here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpuR-lHaPyA