Appreciating Chinese culture and values – USAC Study Abroad News

USAC Chengdu student explores daily life in a streamlined city and recognizes a shared human experience

By Katie Thompson, ‘2019 USAC Chengdu

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I was going to college at Iowa State University and had the opportunity to befriend and work with Chinese international students studying in Iowa. They encouraged me to explore opportunities to study abroad and inspired me to consider visiting China.

Why did you choose the University Studies Abroad Consortium?

Iowa State, my undergrad university, didn’t offer the flexibility and location options that USAC has. I was on track to graduate early, so taking an entire semester to go abroad wasn’t feasible for me. At the same time, two-week trips during the school year didn’t seem long enough to absorb all the culture. USAC offered a summer program that fit perfectly into my schedule with plenty of location choices.

What was your favorite part about your host country/city?

My favorite thing about Chengdu was the balance between ancient history and modern innovation. Just walking around you might find a pristine, highly efficient, new subway station right next to a preserved temple that’s thousands of years old. There are so many cultural areas that are free to enjoy, I never ran out of things to explore!

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

The people of Chengdu were so welcoming, helpful, and understanding whenever I had any problems with the language barrier, navigating the city, or trying new things. I was able to meet and befriend several people my age who were excited to show me the city and share their culture.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

Our local program staff was amazing! I took a day trip with a group of classmates to a city in another region, and we missed our train on the way home. We didn’t have the right information to buy tickets, so our program staff member bought the tickets for us and helped us find a hostel to stay in. They always took care of us and had a very fun, positive attitude.

What’s one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

I wish that I had worked harder to adjust to the time difference during the first few days. The plane ride threw me off and I wasted time napping during my first week because I was so tired. Read some articles about how to cope with the time difference so that you can use all your time wisely!

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

I would wake up and get bao (stuffed bun) for breakfast from the vendors outside the school and then attend morning classes in the international student building. I might have the afternoon free, so I would take the subway to somewhere in the city and use the time to just explore neighborhoods, shopping districts, and cultural sites.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I really enjoyed exploring the central district of Chengdu. I had no experience in a city of that size (16 million), but the crowds were very manageable and the subways were easy to understand and access.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I stayed in a dormitory in the international student dorms. It was about the same size as an American dorm, with a private bathroom in the room. I liked that our classes were also in the building, so we didn’t get lost, and that my entire program was on the same floor, so it was easy to socialize.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

Chengdu is a relatively diverse Chinese city. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about Tibetan, Hui, Qiang, and other minority communities that live in the city.

Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?

I would definitely recommend the Chengdu program to anyone who is interested in visiting China but may be intimidated by the size of cities like Beijing and Shanghai. The program guides helped me adjust and navigate the experience and I really enjoyed making connections with the other students at USAC, who were from all different areas of the U.S. and brought different perspectives.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?

Studying abroad and traveling abroad opens your mind to the possibilities of what your life could look like and helps you place your own existence within the larger picture. You see the similarities between cultures and it makes you think about the things that all humans share, like love for their family or ambitions for a better more comfortable life.

Now that you’re home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

It made me realize how much I’m able to accomplish on my own, of how capable I can be if I need to be independent. When I came back to my home university, I felt more confident in myself and now, even years later, I still feel capable of going to a new unfamiliar place and being able to figure out what to do.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

First, I think it means choosing a travel location that is appropriate for you and your goals, but also able to accept visitors without exploiting locals or their resources for services and goods. Secondly, I think that it means engaging with the culture as it is, not trying to make it fit a narrative of how you imagined it or what you’ve been told, and respectfully observing and participating when invited. If you remember that you’re a guest, most of the time people will be very welcoming and excited to share experiences with you.

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