Chapters 4 & 5 Summarizer Derek N.

The fourth chapter in Nathan's book is about how students from other parts of the world view college life in America. She begins to notice that many students in America are very independent and in a way, anti-social. They often use conversation starters as a simple way to say hello. Unlike other countries, who use phrases like "What's up?" as a way to carry on a conversation. She also emphasizes that friendships and relationships are much different in America than in other countries. In other countries friendships are very meaningful, and carry a sense of trust and loyalty. While in the U.S. being considered friends with a person may be a simple "hey" as someone passes for lunch. The author also brings up that classes in America are very different than in other countries. In America, professors are less formal and more casual. Students often wear whatever clothes they see fit, and eat and drink during classes. The last point Nathan talks about is how American's are generally ignorant about the rest of the world, believing the U.S. is the greatest place there is.

-The author's tone in this chapter came across as somewhat negative towards American college students. She seemed to dislike what students consider "friends" and the general way most students communicate through technology. Although she comes across as negative, Nathan has a good point. This book could be useful to American readers in understanding themselves as a student and the people they befriend. Most American students of this generation probably don't realize there is a problem in the way they socially interact because that's how they were raised. Nathan also could have gotten both sides of the story, not just from the view of foreign student.

In The fifth chapter the author explains how people speak differently in the classroom, compared to the dorms. In the classroom, people discuss things like "Did you do the reading for today?"  (Nathan 97). There is little to no talk of the actual impact of the reading. In the dorms, students discuss topics of sex, body image, relationships, childhood, entertainment, and drug experiences (Nathan 98).The author also talked of a hypothetical scenario that if students could choose to receive their degree at that moment, or to continue and finish college. Two thirds responded with no, to stay and finish, which seemed to surprise her. Nathan believes this is because students want a full college experience, and not to worrying about what it would be like in the real world. The last topic the author brings about is what the perfect class would be at AnyU. According to the students,  Sexuality was their first choice; primarily for the professor's personal stories and attention grabbing topics.

-The author is this chapter seems to be more of a researcher than a student. She focuses on fewer topics than normal, mainly differences in language and what students actually think/assume about college. Nathan's tone and writing style doesn't come off as biased or overly surprised. This chapter is very informative and seems to reflect her as a professor more so than a student.