Since my senior year in High School I have been interested
in traveling to China
and study Chinese. I knew coming to China would be an experience like
no other because of the East's different approach to life and thought. After
knowing I wanted to go to China
it was between choosing TBC (Beijing), IES (Beijing), or IES (Shanghai).
I didn't want to go to Shanghai because I felt it was too industrialized and
too influenced by western culture - being one of the main hubs for business
(that and Hong Kong). Between IES and TBC I saw little difference but in the
end I decided to go with TBC because they specialize specifically in people
studying in Beijing
I felt they may have a better grasp on their subject.
Coming to China
has been an eye opening experience. I never realized just how different things
were done in China.
Talking to Chinese students (and my roommate who is a Chinese) about their
lifestyles and trading info about what it's like living in our respective
countries has shown me not only that we have many similarities but also many
differences. Staying at the university has shown me a great difference in the
way we are educated and the freedom that we have in our choice of schooling
that Chinese students never received. The traveling we have done over the
semester has also been eye opening; Seeing how many of China's minority groups
live and how they get by, a large reliance on tourism, and a greater
understanding of just how diverse China is (both culturally and ethnically). China has shattered any expectations I could
have had about the country and showed me China is much more vast,
complicated, and diverse than I could have ever imagined.
Go out and explore. Don't spend all of your time at your
university (or bars) with just your other American friends. At the very least
invite some locals to go with you. Make friends with students from the country
and they will show you things you never will have found on your own. Your goal
studying abroad should be to really attempt to get to know the country. Try to
set aside 1 day a week where you go somewhere new. Nothing special - a new
store, restaurant, bar, movie theatre, etc. Live it up!
--Knowing at least some of the language before going becomes a huge benefit, if
you can take some language prior to going it will greatly improve your ability
to truly experience your new country. If you have no language skill you have no
way to get around and explore and instead live solely in a small American
microcosm of fellow students. I finished the first year of Chinese before
coming her and I was at a greater advantage than the rest of the people who
were coming into the country with no language experience at all. While they
were trying to learn to say hello, I was able to deeply explore the town and
meet new interesting people and hear their stories thus aiding in my
understanding of China
as well as my assimilation into the culture. - At the very least, take
the language study seriously when you get here.
--Try to get involved in the schools clubs. It's a great way to meet local
students from the country while also doing something you like. No better way to
make friends than through similar interests. - it's also a way to stay in shape
if you choose a sport!
--Understand that many people have preconceived conceptions of what Americans
are going to be like. Try to help make these/change them into positive outlooks
not negative ones. IE, when in Rome
do as the Romans do. If you're at a dinner with people and they are doing one
thing, copy them - you never know what you might/might not do that might be
considered rude.
Do some research on what people in your country are like. Understand their
culture to help you assimilate more comfortably. For China they have many nuances and
different ways of doing things that you might find offensive or get the wrong
message from. Knowing these things before hand will make things a lot easier.
You will have the opportunity to make lifelong friends in another country. Grab
the chance.
You are not here to just learn their culture but to share yours. They are as
interested in you as you are in them - be prepared to share. Introduce them to
knew things and they will never forget.
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