A: I received funding to study abroad in China at the Antai College of Economics and Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. I am staying at the Xuhui campus, which is located in the French Concession of Shanghai and is conveniently placed to explore the city. While studying abroad, I also wanted to take advantage of the travel opportunities in China. For example, during the fall holiday of Golden Week, I traveled to Chengdu in the southwestern Sichuan province to visit the Oriental Buddha Park and the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Once the semester is over, I am also planning to go to Beijing since I can’t imagine leaving China without having seen the Great Wall or the Forbidden City. 

A: My favorite part about my study abroad was the opportunity to live in a country with a culture so vastly different from anything I had experienced before. Apart from the language, I found something new to discover in every aspect of life, including food, social customs, architecture, national holidays and so much more.

I think it is incredibly exciting to be alive in an age where working, studying and traveling abroad is more accessible than ever and presents a real opportunity to expand our global understanding. However, no matter where we are in the world, I think it is always important to learn from people with cultures different from our own as we begin to navigate our current world and expand our social networks. 

A: The study abroad is primarily helping me with my minor in Chinese. Apart from the language course transferring as one of my requirements, the opportunity of living in China itself is helping me further develop my language skills in Mandarin since I am forced to use it in everyday life. I have also had the opportunity to enroll in economics classes that cover other interests of mine within the subject field. Furthermore, through studying abroad, I have been able to meet and connect with other economics students from all over the world.