The intelligent and talented Napoleon Bonaparte once wrote the phrase: “Imagination governs the world”. Imagination allows the mind to roam freely, explore foreign and unknown territories and travel to another reality, where people are free to be who they want and do what they want when they want. want it. It is full of unlimited opportunities, endless luxuries and is a welcome break from the harsh reality of life. Imagination exists in everyone. Everyone has the potential to be creative, but its development depends on the environment in which a person lives, for example on their education. China imposes a rigorous school system that inhibits a child's creativity, while America encourages a burgeoning culture of imagination and creativity that opens up limitless possibilities. China has long emphasized the importance of education. Dating back to China's origins, the roots of a prosperous nation lay in one key principle: education. Education, whether provided by a scholar or an autodidact, has been an essential component of Chinese history. There are many maxims in the Chinese language that emphasize the importance the Chinese place on education. For example, one of them is “in the high mountain of books, industry is the only path to the summit; on the infinite sea of ​​knowledge, diligence is each person’s own means of passage.” There are no limits to learning, however, one can only continue on this path if they have the diligence to persevere. There is an inexhaustible source of knowledge and it is the duty of the researcher to unlock it. Su Qin, a political strategist in the Warring States period, placed a particularly harsh emphasis on studies – he would prick himself with an awl whenever he felt tired in order to maintain his... middle of paper... .m triggers it. Works Cited “Chinese high school students with low imagination? » American edition Chinadaily. Internet. December 7, 2011. “Gaokao is make or break for students. » Focus on China – A Maymester in China. Internet. December 8, 2011.LaFRANIERE, Sharon. "China's Gao Kao college entrance test is a national obsession - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking news, world news and multimedia. December 7, 2011. Web. December 7, 2011.McKernan, James. “Curriculum and imagination: process... - James McKernan.” Google Books. Internet. December 11, 2011.Peters, Zrinka. "Can High School Extracurricular Activities Get You into College? | Education.com." Education.com | An education and child development site for parents | Parental and educational resource. Internet. December 11, 2011. Ren, Qiliang. “Diligent and eager to study.” Common knowledge of Chinese culture. Beijing: Foreign Languages, 2004. 87-89. Print.