Varanasi: the City, the River, the Sacred

Hi, my name is Nicole Westergaard and I'm a junior at the University of Iowa.  I have a triple major in Chinese, Integrated Physiology, and International Relations with the overall goal of heading to medical school.  It seems like a strange combination of majors but I've always been encouraged to do what I love, the ending result is a combination of science and politics.  Originally I never pictured myself heading out to China, however, now that I look back I can't imagine a more perfect and rewarding manner in which to spend my semester.  Between work and classes I never thought I'd have the time, however, once I made the decision to take the plunge I never looked back.  In all honesty, studying in China was originally a ploy to improve not just my Chinese, but my resume. However, my time in Beijing quickly evolved into far more than a certificate and brief line on a piece of paper.  Living and studying in China opened my eyes to a different way of life that cannot be fully conveyed through a textbook.  I would spend hours talking with the lady selling fruit on the street outside my dorm in a language I had previously been beyond inept at about topics I didn't even know existed.  I was enticed by the culture and I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by teachers and staff that were willing to go above and beyond in every way to help me get the most out of my time.  I ended up coming away with far more than I could have expected in the form of friends, memories, and knowledge.  Before Beijing I used to say that Washington D.C. and Newell, Iowa where my two homes, however, after the amazing four months in Beijing that seemed to slip by in the blink of an eye, I can proudly name Beijing as not just a place to live, but a home.  I am eager to get back as soon as possible and for anyone that has any reservations about studying abroad my advice to you is that you aren't young forever and there will never be a more perfect time than now! hide

As someone of Chinese ancestry, this trip to China was just as much a personal adventure as it was culturally and academically fulfilling.  I met my Beijing relatives for the first time, and explored the history of my family in connection with the Qing Dynasty.  In choosing a study abroad program, one of the key benefits of the Alliance program was the opportunity for travelling to more remote areas of China such as Gansu and Qinghai.  The program also provided planning resources for my independent study trip to Hainan and Shanghai.  Some of my favorite memories include dining with families in Qinghai and Gansu and learning about Tibetan culture and the Buddhist religion, lifestyles so much different from the fast-pace life of big cities like Beijing.  However, Beijing has an endless number of activities to choose from; whether it’s pick-up sports with Chinese students on the Beijing Language and Culture University campus or making a trip to the East side of the city, there’s always something to do.  Another great opportunity is that you will have the chance to establish friendships with people from all over the world who are studying Chinese; in some cases, Chinese might be your only way to communicate with another person!   All of these experiences have given me a better sense of self, amazing new friends, and an unforgettable experience.  The Alliance is a truly exceptional program, and I hope that you choose them as your Study Abroad Guide! hide

To start off, my name is Matthew Blanchard. I studied Mandarin Chinese while in high school, and in June 2010 I traveled to China for the first time in my life. I spent 5 weeks in Beijing, and on weekends I traveled to Shanghai and Xi’an.  In August 2010, I started school at Norwich University, as a recruit in the Norwich University Corps of Cadets. After my first year, I traveled to Beijing for the second time. Last summer, I spent two months in Beijing with the Alliance program at Beijing Language and Culture University. I plan on traveling to China in the near future, to continue my language study. hide

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but having new eyes.” (Marcel Proust) Hearing this before my trip to China made no sense to me, but after my trip I really did have “new eyes”! My name is Shane Woodard and I was part of the Alliance for Global Education Study Abroad summer program in Beijing, China. Right now, I am a senior undergraduate, majoring in History and minoring in East Asian Studies with plans to commission in the United States Navy next year.

My interest in China started while I was in high school and continued to grow once I began college. I always wanted to travel to China, but never could find the time or money to make the trip. Last summer, however, I was able to make it happen and I will never regret it! Initially, I was pretty nervous because I had never travelled out of country and I had only recently begun to study Chinese as a language. With my first steps off the plane in Beijing, however, my worries were blown away. The program in Beijing was fantastic! We saw everything from temples, like the Temple of Heaven, other provinces, like Gansu, to the Great Wall of China. We even got to climb the Wall! The people were amazing and the culture awe inspiring.

The classes were great and the teachers knew exactly how to teach us while making the common classroom monotony non-existent. They would take us on language practicums to talk with the locals and every practicum was new and exciting. We never knew what was around the next corner! As my elective I chose to learn about China’s Foreign Policy and how it interacts with the world. It is amazing what one can learn from a different perspective. I think my favorite part of the whole trip was having the opportunity to be in iconic places like the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square, which I had only read about in books. I look forward to sharing my experience with you! hide

My name is Branna Williams and I am currently a senior at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.  This spring I will graduate with a double major in Political Science and Chinese Studies.  In the summer of 2010, I spent eight fabulous weeks studying with the Alliance in Beijing -- by far, one of the best experiences I have ever had, hands down.  Although I had only studied Chinese for a year, I found I was not alone in my ever-diminishing struggle to communicate in China.  Some students in our program were nearly fluent, while others had no prior study in the language before their arrival in China.  Much to my relief, I was somewhere in the middle and am certain that I learned as much Chinese in one summer as I did in studying Chinese for one year in the U.S. 

Upon returning to the U.S., I began to realize what a crucial part the immersion factor plays when learning a language like Chinese.   Besides that, I missed China!  It did not take me long to decide that I was going to study abroad in China again in spring 2011.  This time, I wanted to see what Shanghai had to offer.  I was in for a semester of experiencing what it is like to not only study, but actually live a vibrant city, molded by both globalization and tradition.  

In addition to greatly advancing in Chinese language proficiency last semester, I had opportunities opened to me that would not have been possible in the U.S.  Chatting with your taxi driver in Chinese, hiking the Great Wall (without dozens of tourists), having a picnic with Buddhist monks atop a mountain in Xiahe, and climbing the huge mountains of Tiger Leaping Gorge in southern China are not an option while studying Chinese at your university in the U.S.  Aside from these unforgettable events throughout both semesters, I also had the rare opportunity to conduct in depth research about particular areas of interest via the Capstone Projects.  After completing one Capstone on the dairy industry and one on the politics of environment, I had developed contacts, laid groundwork for my senior thesis, and attained knowledge that will be an asset to me in future career endeavors.  Choosing to study with Alliance was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I have made in enriching my educational and cultural experiences. hide

Back in the summer of 2010 I was preparing to study abroad in Shanghai, China. I was overly excited. Before coming to China I spent a good year studying Chinese on my own and had spent countless hours examining and studying Chinese culture. I knew that China would be a fascinating place and that I would enjoy my study abroad. Half way through my fall semester at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics I knew that my time in China would not have been enough; I fell in love with China, I couldn’t leave. I then decided to attend the Alliance’s spring program at Fudan University, Shanghai. I then once again was not satisfied. I attended the Alliance’s summer program at Beijing Language and Culture University; during that time I stayed with a Chinese host family and also interned with a Chinese Magazine. Coming back home was bitter sweet; I was happy to be home, but sad to be leaving China. My experiences in China are priceless; I met many great people, I visited amazing places that most people will never see, I attained a great understanding of Chinese Culture, and most importantly, I significantly improved my Chinese skills. Now my Chinese is very good; it may take years to attain fluency but I know that if I build on my current skills fluency is imminent. China has become my second home and I hope to live and work there right after graduation! hide

Hi, I’m a junior at George Washington University majoring in political science and Chinese. My interest in China began freshman year of high school when I decided to stop taking French and began taking Chinese. Since then I have traveled to China four times including my most recent semester abroad in Beijing. Though several of my friends went to China for intensive language programs, I felt that the Alliance program had a more suitable balance of courses. Of course continuing my Chinese was a high priority, but I also wanted to be able to understand how Chinese people lived and worked and through an internship set up by the program I was able to do so. I worked at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and through the work that I did I was able to directly help people in need. My internship culminated in a business trip to Sichuan to aid those affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. The Alliance program also gave me the opportunity to travel and see the disparity in China. It’s not really possible to sum up my experience abroad in a single story—there were too many different places and people that I met. Though I will say my time in Beijing and in China as a whole was an incredible adventure and one that will be hard to forget. If you want to talk about the program or my experience I would be happy to oblige. hide

Ni Hao! My name is Lexi McIsaac and I am currently a junior at Bryant University majoring in Accounting and concentrating in Chinese Language. Honestly before college, the extent of my knowledge about Chinese culture was chopsticks. Now I have traveled to more than a dozen cities all across China- more than I have been to in the US.

Before going to China, my parents’ biggest concern was that I would stand out too much. I am blonde and blue eyed and did get quite the attention in China. During my first weeks, I felt almost like a celebrity having people stare, point, and even ask me to take pictures. But by the end of the program I barely noticed it and felt it was a great conversation starter to practice Chinese.

Another great memory of living in Shanghai was the convenience store owner by our apartment. I must have frequented it at least 3 times a day. The man was so friendly, always smiling and saying hello. By the end of the semester he was asking about my day and even coyly practicing English words when I bought things.

Studying abroad in Shanghai was both the best and most challenging experience I have ever had. I learned so much about Chinese culture, met so many great people, and even learned a lot about myself. I was given the opportunity to accomplish a capstone paper on expatriate tax in China which not only made me more interested in business opportunities in China, but proved to myself I was capable of some pretty intellectual research.

I would love to speak to anyone who has any questions about my experiences, travels, or just some advice on the program. hide

Hey, my name is Danny Gleason (葛丹宁) and I am currently a junior at Boston College pursuing a Theology major, Chinese minor, and a pre-med concentration. For the first two years of college, I had come to terms with the fact that I was going through with my Chinese minor as an excuse to “go abroad.” It was my ticket to live in a different country, learn about the culture, experience the people and come back a newer, wiser, worldlier person. Now, after 4 months of living in Shanghai and going to school at Fudan University, I can say with every fiber of my being that my semester in China was everything I imagined and more. I will go out on a limb here and say that besides maybe infancy, my time living in Shanghai represents the period of life when I have changed the most… for the better. Though at times it is hard to express the momentousness of my life-changing experience to others, it is something that I can assure you goes way beyond language acquisition. Please do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about China or study abroad in general! My newfound passion for China and studying abroad makes it so that you will actually be doing me a favor if you email me. I am so confident that if you challenge yourself and take the leap to China for a few months, you will never regret it! 再见！ hide

Hi my name is Andrew Ameter and I'm a junior at Ohio State University.  Although my major is marketing, I have a huge interest in both Chinese language and culture.  This stemmed from taking international business courses that continually stressed the importance of the Chinese economy in the future.  Last summer I studied abroad in Shanghai and it was one of the best experiences of my life.  Not only did my language skills increase exponentially, but I gained a unique perspective that I'll carry with me the rest of my life.  Now that I'm back in Columbus, Ohio, I miss all the people and experiences I encountered, but I know I have a whole lifetime ahead of me to continue expanding my boundaries. hide

Hey! My name is Gian Gozum, and I took part in the Contemporary Chinese Society and Language Program in the spring of 2011. I am a senior majoring in Asian Studies and International Trade and Economics. I took about five semesters of Mandarin Chinese before going to Shanghai. Within just two weeks of living in China, I could already tell that my Chinese had improved. I got used to thinking, listening, and speaking in Chinese. Several moments in my semester confirmed that I had improved. One was during a conversation with a taxi driver. He was taking me all the way to the other end of town, and in that drive we discussed my Filipino heritage, the Chinese populations in the Philippines, the origins of his parents, and last but not least, the NBA Playoffs!

Travelling throughout China was such an amazing experience. Each province was like visiting a different country because of the regional dialects and accents, which make communication even more interesting! The Alliance trip to Yunnan province was phenomenal, where we learned much about the ethnic minorities. During my independent travel, I went to the mountainous Sichuan province with some friends, and we learned a lot about Tibetan culture and ate a lot of spicy food!

My trip to Shanghai ranks in one of my most amazing experiences. I made wonderful friends who I am certain I will see again. I am forever thankful for my opportunity to study in Shanghai the spring of 2011. hide

Hi, my name is Giselle Regalado. I was born in New York City and moved to Dominican Republic at the age of nine. I moved back to New York at the age of fifteen. I now have 7 years in the U.S. although, I would say six years because I spent an academic year in India. Because I was fortune to live in India for so long, I had the chance to emerge myself in Indian culture in such a way that now I have adopted India as my third culture. My most memorable moment in India was my first dinner with roommate and my host mom. My host mom wouldn’t stop looking at the way I ate. I thought that my skills eating with my right hand were pretty good; until I was almost done with my meal. My host mom started laughing. I asked, “What happened?” She said “G, you don’t eat with three fingers, you need to use all five fingers.” I was a bit embarrassed but we all laughed together at the situation.

I am currently living in the U.S.A and attending Saint Michael's College in Vermont. I am a senior majoring in Gender Studies with a minor in Anthropology. I work for student life on my campus as an RA (Resident Assistant). I am also involved in my community by volunteering in the Applied Linguistic Department (ALD) on campus, working with teens and interning with the organization Women Helping Battered Women. hide

Namaste, My name is Brenna Blazis. I am a sophomore majoring in Elementary and Special Education at the University of Evansville of Indiana. It took a lot of work and collaboration with my study abroad office to make going to India in Fall Semester of 2011 happen, but it was entirely worth it since it has been one of the best parts of my college experience.

Beginning with my wonderful host family; who through conservations, cooking, and festivals; transparently shared their culture with me. The courses I took at Fergusson College, in subjects like social justice, environmental issues, and film, supported my understanding of the Indian culture I was immersed in. The ability to make a documentary film by far the best part of my coursework; through the creation of my film I was able to meet with the founders of special education in the Pune area and learn skills on how make a film. Something I would have never gotten to do otherwise.

Above all, I was able to make great friends with fellow exchange students and locals, and created great memories in our shared experiences, especially during weekends and our travel week. I had a wonderful experience with the Alliance for Global Education in Pune India.  In addition, I would love to answer any questions you might have about the program.  I am looking forward to hearing from you! hide

Hey, my name is Brianna Besch. I’m currently and Junior at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. I am an environmental studies and geography double major with a concentration in international development and minor in physics. I actually spent my middle and high school years living abroad in Almaty, Kazakhstan and Cairo, Egypt which got me hooked on traveling and development work. I hoped to complement this background with a study abroad experience during college. I wanted to go to India because it is so different from anything I had experienced before and everything is growing so rapidly that there are all kinds of interesting initiatives going on.

I really loved living in India. Being able to study the country as I experienced living there meant I got a much deeper understanding of the culture, people and how things worked (not that you can ever really understand how things work in India) then I had in other places I have lived. There was always something to look forward to, and I had some amazing experiences getting to see different parts of incredible India. There were definitely some non-trivial challenges along the way, but they taught me to be more independent, flexible and just go with the flow, you might not know where you were going but you usually got someplace pretty interesting. My experience in India also gave me a great introduction to working on sustainable development projects in the developing world- I’m already planning to go back. hide

Maza nav Sami aahe (translation: my name is Sami), I am a senior at Brandeis University majoring in Education and Sociology with a minor in Social Justice and Policy. Ever since I got home from India I’ve been attempting to find a good response to the daunting question “how was your summer?” Going to India was one of the best, craziest decisions of my life. The Alliance for Global Education offered the perfect opportunity to gain hands on experience in my field of interest while immersing myself in a completely different culture.

I learned so much about India’s rich history and was able to conduct research on the ways in which peer education is used to increase safer sex practices among female sex workers. Every person I met was kind, hospitable, and willing to guide me through the challenges I faced during my time in India. By the end of the trip, I felt confident in my ability to navigate through Pune, negotiate with a rickshaw driver, and wear a sari.

India has so much to offer, the culture is incredibly vibrant and full of surprises. I was able to see many facets of Indian society; I participated in a festival, travelled into the slums, and attended a wedding. In two short months I was inundated with knowledge of a new land and was inspired by all that I learned. Now that I’m back, I am constantly reminded of my Indian summer adventures. I would love to hear from anyone who is thinking about studying abroad in India! I had an incredibly rewarding experience and would be happy to share some of it with you. hide

Namaskar! With little knowledge about the country, Indian culture, and no experience eating Indian food, I was nervous about going half way around the world by myself for a semester in Pune, India. As a Public and Community Service major, I chose the Contemporary India program because of the focus of the classes on health, the environment, and social justice. From the moment I met Alliance students in the airport, I knew that I would enjoy my time in India; the excitement and passion of the Alliance students and staff extinguished my fears of homesickness and loneliness. All of my professors were extremely knowledgeable, approachable and open to frequent discussion. Some of my favorite memories are a field trip with my Environmental Perspectives professor to visit his son’s organic farm, a weekend trip to a beautiful fort in the water on the coast of Maharashtra, and an overnight car ride to the deserts of Rajasthan. I also loved morning yoga sessions and walking through the city to school with my roommate.

I came to find out how much I enjoy Indian cuisine and eating without utensils. I discovered that I could adjust to living in a completely new place- even a very hot one! The Alliance staff was a great support to have along this journey, and the twenty-nine students I met will never be forgotten. I would be happy to answer any questions you have, so feel free to contact me! Om shanti, Kathleen hide

Hi! I’m a senior at Brandeis University studying Public Health and Gender Studies with a minor in Social Justice. My dedication to India started my first week of college, when I swore to my mother that one day I’d travel to India and study gender. The program was a perfect match—it offered not only classes in my majors, but through everyday experiences I learned about more that fascinated me than I could have imagined from my home university.

Since I’ve been back, everyone asks: “How was India?” There is no way to summarize four intensely meaningful months into a cute quote. It was beautiful to participate in the culture and the festivals, to get a second family in my host relatives. It was humbling, learning about the country’s issues and reconciling them with my own love of the India I saw. It was an adventure, learning a new city—making Indian friends, exploring, traveling while still getting back for class.

It was definitely a challenge, but with enormous payoffs. By far the most significant part was my personal research, which I conducted in the red light districts interviewing sex workers. It was a process more intellectually and emotionally difficult than any I’d done in college, yet in the end I’ve never been so proud of a paper. The whole experience was like that—from learning tabla to replacing my phone: hard work, huge accomplishments.

I’d love to hear from anybody who wants to talk about the program or my experience. Accha-bye! Dani hide

Hello all, my name is Farron and I attend UMASS Amherst. My major is Social Thought and Political Economy with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality. Why did I decide to go to India? Well for one, the program fit my needs. I was able to do the summer program and still have the chance to do an internship around women empowerment as well as learning more about social issues in another country.

During my stay in India, not only did I fall in love with the food, culture, and the women, I also fell in love with the education that I received. By doing an internship and taking courses I was able to push and challenge myself and seek new horizons. For example, often our universities talk about cultural understanding and appreciation as well as being able to work with people with different backgrounds but it's completely different when your are actually doing it. By going to India I had the privilege to be emerged into a different culture and meet so many amazing people who were passionate about making change in their communities. However, if I didn't have an open mind or an understanding of cultural acceptance then my experience might not have been as awesome.

In short, India was a mind blowing experience that I would not trade for the world! Yes, there were times when I was frustrated, but those moments were small and irrelevant compared to the bigger picture...that I’m in another country learning new things about myself and another culture. If you would like to talk to me or learn more about beautiful India and my experience, please feel free to contact me. Remember "trust the process!" hide

नमस्ते | मेरा नाम माईसी हैं | Hello. My name is Mysee. I’m a student at St. Catherine University ’13 in St. Paul, MN. I am a double major in Women’s Studies and Critical Race Theory. In the fall of 2011, I studied abroad in Pune. Studying abroad has been one of the most amazing life experiences I’ve had thus far. Not only did it enable me to learn more about myself but it challenged me to grow in ways I never imagined. I was interested in going to India for three major reasons. First off, I am a HUGE Bollywood freak so I thought, why not go to India and experience the real Indian culture. Second, through my courses I’ve been introduced to several Indian women scholars so I wanted to go to India and see firsthand, what were the issues that Indian women faced. And lastly, I wanted to experience living in a developing country. Overall, it was a good experience. I accomplished my goals of speaking Hindi, learning and performing Kathak, watching a Bollywood movie with no subtitles, making friends, eating with my hands, and working with an NGO. If you have any questions about the academics, the daily life experience, Maharashtran culture, etc… don’t hesitate to ask! Chalo! Take care. hide

My name is Jordan Sharp. I am an Applied Linguistics major at Union University and I attended the Xi’an Summer 2011 study abroad experience.  Before applying to the Alliance, I was very interested in China and studying Chinese, and I wanted to find a program that would allow me to not only further my studies in Chinese, but also be immersed in the culture and learn more about China.  The Alliance program provided me with the opportunity for this and so much more in one of the most memorable summers I have ever had.  One of the best aspects of my experience was that I got to learn while being surrounded by a great group of classmates, Chinese roommates, teachers, and our RD.  Overall, the Alliance program greatly assisted me in being productive and efficient during my time in China.  After spending the summer with Alliance in China it furthered my desire to continue my Chinese studies and some day live in China. hide

Hello! My name is Joseph Larrea. I’m a Junior at Whittier College in Whittier, California. I started studying Chinese in College, initially as a fun way to complete my foreign language requirement, but quickly became very serious about the language. I’ve travelled to China twice, first on a school trip and the second time while studying abroad with the Alliance Program. During these two trips I’ve covered a lot of ground, visiting cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Guilin, Kashgar, Urumqi, Dunhuang, and many others. I chose to study in China with the Alliance Program on the recommendation of my professors and study abroad advisor. I chose the Xi’an Program because I wanted to travel along the Silk Road. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Although I struggled initially speaking the language and adjusting to the culture, I was helped along by my wonderful teachers and program directors who were not only my guides and mentors, but also became dear friends to me. In my semester with the Alliance Program I travelled far and wide, had wonderful adventures, met countless friends, and made tremendous strides towards my eventual goal of becoming fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Now that I am back home, I am already making plans to return to China after graduation in order to teach English. I am happy to share my experience with anyone who is considering coming to China. hide

It had always been a dream of mine to travel and experience a culture with five thousand years of history and wisdom, mystery and art. China had always been of particular interest to me and eastern philosophy, art and religion had a profound impact on me throughout my life. After researching several programs, I determined that the Alliance for Global Education and the Xi’an program was the most credible and had the most potential. From the beginning process of applying for the program to time of departure, the Alliance staff was quick to respond to any of my questions or concerns and provided a pre-departure list that included everything that I would need to travel and live in China.

Once I arrived, our Alliance directors took us to local restaurants that served delicious food, markets that had everything we might need, stores we could shop at and explained where we could find any materials we might need for our classes. Throughout the program, the Alliance Staff in China went out of their way to make sure that I, as well as all other students, were comfortable and had everything we needed to communicate with other students and family back home. So many activities were offered and provided with an opportunity to meet our Chinese roommates and make friends. Not only did I learn Chinese, I learned Chinese calligraphy, 24 movements of Yang style Taijiquan, traveled across three provinces of China, saw the terra cotta warriors, had dinner with a nomadic family, camped in the desert, danced in Kashgar, visited the Mogao grottoes, and the list goes on!

If you want to experience mainland China, visit places you have only read about in history books, and have the experience of a lifetime and improve your Chinese, the Alliance for Global Education is the best Program without a doubt. After returning home, I registered to study Chinese at the University of Pittsburgh and after three months of study in China, my advisors are suggesting I skip the whole first year of Chinese and move to second year! The program surpassed any expectations that I had and made new opportunities I had not yet conceived of possible. hide

你好！My name is Julie Trinh and I am currently a senior at Duquesne University. My journey with studying Mandarin began when I chose International Relations as a second major. After finishing my 100 level of study and having no plans for the following summer, I decided that traveling abroad to China would be a great opportunity to put what knowledge I had of Mandarin to the test. Two months of going back and forth with my advisor, getting teacher recommendations and finding the funds for the trip later, I got approved to go to the intensive Chinese program at Fudan University.

After the second week of classes, I realized how intensive an intensive language program is, frequented the late night markets and decided that I didn’t care whether or not I got sick from the street food because it’s totally worth it. Within the first month in Shanghai, I had learned how to master the subway system, felt comfortable enough to chat with taxi drivers and order my meals at restaurants that did not have pictures to accompany each dish. After two months in Shanghai, I had traveled to Beijing and climbed the Great Wall, walked through the Forbidden City and got a feel of how politics influence even the street vendors. I also made great new friends from all over the world and had the time of my life, all the while learning more and more about real Chinese culture.

After coming home from Shanghai I was surprised to discover how much I missed it! I know that it is a cliché statement, but I believe that making the decision to study abroad in Shanghai has changed my life. I want to be able to help others have the same opportunity that I had and I hope that through the Alliance for Global Education I will be able to do just that. hide

Hi! I’m a junior studying English at Wellesley College. Before college, I knew next to nothing about Asia. It really wasn’t until I took a volunteer position in Boston’s Chinatown that I became exposed to Chinese language and culture. I began studying Mandarin and immersing myself more in the Chinatown community. I had always planned for a semester abroad studying literature in England. Alas, the Alliance programs in China sounded so fascinating, and the Asia pull just took hold of me!

Studying abroad in Shanghai was the best, most exciting and enriching experience so far in my life. Of course, there were times I missed everything American. Skyping home became a regular part of my week, and I frequented the pizza place on my street probably a little too often. But more than anything, the most interesting part about living in a once so foreign China was realizing how familiar life was to me there. I did a number of weekend trips in and around China, and every time I returned to my apartment in Shanghai, it felt like home. My four months in Shanghai flew by so quickly—too quickly! I cannot wait to get back! hide

My name is Charles Tiu from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. As you can tell from my last name, I’m not American. In fact, I’m a Chinese that spent most of his life growing up in Hong Kong, China. Yet I chose to study abroad in Shanghai in the Spring term of 2010. There are numerous reasons why I chose to study abroad:

It gave me the opportunity to learn about the culture of a different area, the so-called “Dragon Head” of China’s biggest business district; I was able to sharpen my skills in a universal language 1 in 5 people use in this world; it broadened my understanding of the different values, perspectives, ideas and beliefs that different people hold in terms of marketing, management, and most importantly, “guan xi” – networking; all in all, it trained me to become a leader that understood how the Western and Eastern worlds worked individually and cooperatively.

My most memorable moment in Shanghai was during an internship. In the beginning, my Mandarin was rusty, I had no idea what was going on, and was told to direct a small group of international students from America, Spain, and China to handle several tasks. It was awfully difficult to coordinate everything and the whole thing was a mess! But after a few months of grueling training and living with each other – exposing yourself to everything new and uncomfortable to what you’re used to – you gain a valuable and critical understanding of the dynamics and rhythms of the different cultures. Now, handling a large diverse group of people has been a lot easier, a lot clearer, and all this is thanks to the opportunity I had with the Alliance Program. hide

Hey there! I’m a junior at The George Washington University majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Geography. My interest in India was set in motion by my mother, who, at about my age, spent time working in an Indian hospital. As I was growing up I heard all sorts of stories about her adventures so I decided to make it a bit of a family tradition. Looking back on my time in India, it’s hard to pinpoint my favorite experience(s) but what I do know is that I gained an immeasurable amount of knowledge that will be beneficial no matter what I decide to pursue in the future. The program offered classes in each of my majors and interests and I was able to tackle public health, politics and geography all at once. Not only was it a valuable experience educationally, it was also a powerful experience emotionally, culturally and personally. While the work and field visits were exhausting and much different from anything I have ever experienced, I could not be happier with the personal growth I underwent. Between the classes, the travel and the relationships I formed, my experience in India was nothing short of amazing and I can't wait to go back. I’d love to chat with anyone who wants to talk about the program, my experiences, or anything India related! hide

Namaste! I'm a junior at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and studied abroad at Manipal University in India during the fall of 2011. As a pre-med student I decided that what really interested me was the public health aspect of medicine. I had already decided that I really wanted to go to India to see first-hand what sort of public health issues the country struggles with and when I saw information for the program in Manipal, it was such a perfect fit. When people ask me "How was India?" I have a hard time summing it all up in just one sentence. I think going to India was one of the most eye-opening and important experiences of my life and I definitely hope to go back at least several more times. hide