What Chinese students learn about American culture and the English language in the classrooms of China does not adequately prepare them for the reality of American culture and communication in English. In this study, the constructs of American culture and models of English language taught in Chinese classrooms are compared with the reality of American culture and English communication, as experienced by eight undergraduate students from China. The students visited the United States for the first time to observe American culture and university classes in four cities with plans to return for graduate studies. In light of their experiences, findings revealed that Chinese students may often be unprepared for the challenges they will face associated with cultural dissimilarities and communicating in the English language.