Chinese Student Stories

Noah Christopher - Buonanno

Major/Minor - Anthropology/Chinese
Program - Summer Chinese Language
Why go? - To further enhance my knowledge of the Chinese language and immerse myself into its culture.
Quote - "You cannot assume until you have experienced."

Major/Minor - International Studies & Spanish; Minors: German & Chinese
Program - Chinese Language and Culture Program in Taiwan and China
Why go? - To improve and practice my Chinese, to finish my Chinese minor, to learn more about Asian culture, and to travel Asia
Quote - "Taiwan will touch your heart. "Ni xin mù zhong .de táiwan."."

Major/Minor - Asian Studies
Program - Summer Chinese Language and Culture Program; Lingnan University Semester Exchange Program
Why go? - To improve my Chinese; to travel and see cultural sites I had studied for so long; and to experience a culture unlike anything I'd grown up in.
Quote - "It won't be what you expect, regardless of how much you study or prepare. There is something unique about being truly immersed in a foreign culture, and the best experiences only come when you leave behind what you knew before and take the risk of being embarrassed once or twice."

Major/Minor - Criminology and Chinese
Program - To improve my Chinese language skills and to have a cultural experience I would remember forever.
Why go? - To improve my Chinese; to travel and see cultural sites I had studied for so long; and to experience a culture unlike anything I'd grown up in.
Quote - "My initial motivation for this trip was to further develop my Chinese language skills, but the life changing experience that followed was what I ended up having more memories of."

Major/Minor - International Studies
Program - Summer Language and Culture Program Taiwan and China
Why go? - First of all, I wanted to improve my Chinese communication skills. Also, since my major was International Studies, I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about a different culture firsthand.
Quote - "Studying abroad is a truly mind-opening experience. It teaches you things that you would never otherwise learn and gives you a greater appreciation for the world's diversity. Taipei is a vibrant, fascinating city, and I met a lot of wonderful people. I'll always remember the time I spent there."