I would be lying to you all if I said that I have always wanted to travel to China let alone spend a semester there. Entering college at Wheaton (MA) two and a half years ago I dreamed of learning a romance language like Italian in hopes of traveling to Europe my junior year to have a picture-perfect semester. After watching the Lizzie McGuire movie a million times, anything seemed possible. If I learned Italian and went to Italy, maybe I could be riding around Rome on Moped with a cute pop star at the wheel because after all, this is what dream are made of, right? Wrong. Life is not that perfect. My mother had more practical plans for me.
Instead of Italy, I have committed to study abroad in Shanghai, China. Initially I was extremely apprehensive …show more content…
My flight has been booked, my wardrobe is just about complete, my classes have been picked, and my visa is on its way back from the Chinese consulate.
While in Shanghai I hope to become more confident in my speaking and listening skills. I want to be able to confidently have conversations with natives whether it be if I am asking for directions and if I overhear a stranger talking about me in Mandarin and I understand what they are saying I think I will be more excited about my improvements than be offended by their remarks.
While abroad in Shanghai I also want to make myself take a few steps out of my comfort zone. I am a creature of habit and I love routines so I would love to periodically take the road less traveled. Maybe wake up one morning and purposefully get lost in some side streets of Shanghai where there are more Shanghai natives than tourists and foreigners.
Lastly I want to absorb as much information in the classroom as possible. At Wheaton College the classes offered regarding China are very limited because the demand is so low, especially business classes. I want to understand the economic system in China and what better place than in
Instead of Italy, I have committed to study abroad in Shanghai, China. Initially I was extremely apprehensive …show more content…
My flight has been booked, my wardrobe is just about complete, my classes have been picked, and my visa is on its way back from the Chinese consulate.
While in Shanghai I hope to become more confident in my speaking and listening skills. I want to be able to confidently have conversations with natives whether it be if I am asking for directions and if I overhear a stranger talking about me in Mandarin and I understand what they are saying I think I will be more excited about my improvements than be offended by their remarks.
While abroad in Shanghai I also want to make myself take a few steps out of my comfort zone. I am a creature of habit and I love routines so I would love to periodically take the road less traveled. Maybe wake up one morning and purposefully get lost in some side streets of Shanghai where there are more Shanghai natives than tourists and foreigners.
Lastly I want to absorb as much information in the classroom as possible. At Wheaton College the classes offered regarding China are very limited because the demand is so low, especially business classes. I want to understand the economic system in China and what better place than in