Patrick Burke - Shanghai, China

Why did you study there?

This trip really put me out there, in a situation where I would be completely out of my element. It also was interesting to understand China's economic development and see where it was going.

What can you say about your experiences?

It was amazing. Before I landed I was nervous about what the trip would entail. After one week I was still nervous. But as time wore on I became more and more comfortable with my surroundings and the language. Since I did not speak Mandarin the transition was difficult at first, but by being forced to practice nonstop I picked up the language rather quickly.

China is an amazing place to see right now, and Shanghai is the center of its rapid growth. The photo at right is a picture of the Skyscraper - JinmaoTower, which happens to be China's largest building. The city is very cosmopolitan, and I felt that I was at the edge of China's economic future. The city is growing at an amazing rate, and being able to say I adapted to a Chinese environment for two months is something I'm very proud of.

What was your home stay like?

I lived in an apartment with 3 other American students. Although nothing special for Americans, it was a very nice apartment for Shanghai living.

What was your most memorable experience?

Most of my memorable experiences were interactions with Chinese people. Being able to communicate in a very different language with local people was amazing for me. It was just a good feeling to communicate with other people, since I had no previous Mandarin study.

What were the classes like?

I didn't dislike the classes but they were very different. The photo at the left is a picture of my teacher. It actually was fascinating to see the cultural differences between the two ways of learning. In China learning is repetition-based, while in the United States learning is more exploration. Chinese classes are very ordered and structured.

How did this experience help you grow, and how will this change your views on life in general for your future?

For never having lived outside the United States before this was a huge jump for me. It was the most worthwhile experience I have ever had in my life. My confidence and maturity have grown immensely compared to the levels they were at before the trip. I will always remember this trip as the first major turning point in my life.

Would you recommend this experience to others, and why?

Absolutely! Even if it is not China, studying abroad anywhere is an enormous opportunity. Not only are you learning about a different place, you are learning things about yourself that just can't be found out back in the United States.

This is a picture from above looking down on the Bund, a sign of western imperialism in China.