Some FTs like to tell their students how wonderful the west is. I don't think the students as a whole are interested in having that preached to them. In any case, many of them will never be able to visit the west, even just for a short vacation, because they will never be able to afford the cost of doing so. Some of the cleverer students will wonder why their FT is working in China if the west is indeed so wonderful.

Many students mistakenly believe that everyone in America, for example, is rich. I make a point of telling them that every country in the world is the same, in that it has its 'haves' and 'have-nots'.

As for religion, I tell them I am a non-believer, though there are many believers who are westerners, especially Americans.

In short, I try to present a balanced view of the west and western culture when I am teaching. That includes not praising up my hometown because of having a soft spot for it, or denigrating it because I dislike it!