Planning for Summer Abroad in Beijing - Sarah
A Brief Bio
Hi everyone, my name is Sarah and I am very excited to be the social media correspondent for SOC393 in Beijing this year! I am going into my third year, majoring in International Relations and Peace Conflict and Justice Studies, with a minor in Contemporary Asian Studies. This will be my first time in Beijing, and I can't wait to explore the city and share my all my favourite spots!
What are your main goals for your Summer Abroad experience?
My main goals are to learn more about China, and to improve my language skills! This is my first time in mainland China, and even though I have studied some aspects of Chinese society and culture in some of my classes, I think I will learn a lot about China just from my everyday experiences and interactions there. Additionally, I have some basic proficiency in Chinese, but I am hoping to improve my listening comprehension and become more confident in my speaking skills while I'm there.
What do you hope to learn or gain from this experience?
Aside from improving my language skills, I also hope to learn more about what it's like to be a young person in Chinese society. Growing up in Canada, I'm familiar with the struggles that youth face in Canadian society (mental health, navigating your future path, etc.) but I'm curious to know more about the experiences of Chinese youth, and how they navigate some of these challenges. Fortunately, SOC393 is the perfect course to learn about this!
What do you know about the culture of your destination? What resources have you used to learn about it?
My mom's family is Chinese, so I grew up being exposed to Chinese culture, and to an extent, Chinese language. That being said, I was also born and raised in Canada, and I definitely consider my identity to be more influenced by Canadian culture than Chinese culture, so there is a lot more that I have to learn about Chinese culture! Additionally, my mom's family comes from Southern China, so I have a lot to learn about the unique cultural practices of Northern regions like Beijing.
How will you prioritize your physical and mental well-being during your trip?
As an introvert, I know that I can get a bit overwhelmed being around large groups of people for extended periods of time, so I will definitely try to balance going out with friends and spending time alone to recharge. In addition, I'm making it a priority to remember to stay hydrated, and incorporating movement into my everyday routine.
What kind of challenges do you anticipate facing, and how do you think you'll handle them?
In the past, I've always been a little nervous to speak Chinese, especially when people speak fast or with an accent I don't understand very well. While I anticipate that communication might be a challenge for me, ultimately, I know I will have to face some struggles if I want to improve my Chinese. I think the most important thing for me is to stay patient with myself, to learn from my mistakes, and to remember that everyone has to start from somewhere to grow.
What are you most looking forward to about your Summer Abroad trip?
I am really looking forward to trying new foods and exploring the city! As I mentioned before, my family is from the South, so there are a lot of Northern Chinese dishes I am excited to try for the first time. Additionally, I'm hoping to explore some of the famous tourist sites in Beijing, and of course, go shopping!
What advice would you give to another student preparing for a similar experience?
I would advise students to thoroughly read through the requirements of traveling before they leave, and to make sure to acquire any required documents or other materials well in advance. For me, I had to apply for a visa, which I had never done before, so I was glad that I prepared ahead of time and that I wasn't rushing to do anything at the last minute. In addition, I would advise other students to document their experiences - whether it's taking pictures and videos, writing down their thoughts, or any other form of documentation! For a lot of students, Summer Abroad is truly a transformative experience, and I know that I'll be looking back to the photos I took and the memories I wrote down this summer for years to come.