Jeffrey Liu

I had always wanted to go to China, but never had the opportunity until study abroad. I chose my program because I wanted to get better at Chinese so I could communicate more effectively with my family.

The most interesting cultural experience was all the sightseeing and interacting with locals. Whether it was exploring the Shaolin Temple, eating delicious street food, or bargaining while shopping, I had a blast.

The biggest challenge was adjusting to the fact that everything is in Chinese. I shouldn't have been surprised but it was definitely tough to order food off menus or communicate clearly in the early going. Luckily, I had a decent grasp on the Chinese language, and the program coordinators are very helpful.

Class in the mornings until lunchtime. Then you usually have the rest of the day to do whatever you want. I recommend exploring Beijing (it's huge!) and planning in advance where you want to go.

I took language classes which consisted of reading, writing, and speaking. The courses are comparable with Berkeley language classes as the teachers usually speak only in Chinese.

The most memorable aspect of my time abroad was definitely getting to meet my family there for the first time. It was an emotional experience and I'm so grateful I got to learn more about my cultural heritage.

I want to go abroad again, back to China or wherever else in the world. It was my first time abroad and seeing the world just opens up a whole new perspective on life.

If you're considering it, then you should just do it. Everything is set up for you to learn and have fun, and I would wholeheartedly recommend going. You'll meet friends who will be just as excited to go explore China as you are. There's no reason not to go.