Case Study of Simon Ho - Chapter 6
Simon Ho is a 19-year-old Chinese American sophomore attending a midwestern university. He has a good academic record, with a 3.25 grade point average, but he is having difficulty understanding various concepts in his advanced chemistry class.
With a big exam approaching, Simon is not only increasingly worried but also experiencing headaches and stomach troubles. Fearing the possibility of failing the exam and disappointing his family, Simon decides to seek assistance from his chemistry professor. Upon approaching the professor, he is greeted happily and courteously.
His professor spends more than an hour with him, reviewing some of the material for the exam. After this review, Simon feels a bit more confident about his understanding of the concepts. Unfortunately, Simon receives a D on the exam. Disappointed by his poor performance, he begins to skip class to avoid his professor and never seeks his professor's assistance again.
Counseling Across Cultures (Kindle Locations 4609-4615). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.
Why does Simon not ask his professor for further assistance or guidance?
How might Simon's cultural context help to explain his headaches and stomach troubles?
What other cultural factors could also account for Simon's experience?