Xing Yi Wu
China, Xi’an
Spring Semester, Spring 2017
Fulbright Hays Group Projects Abroad Program 2017
Reflections
It’s been four months since I arrived in Xi’an, and time has flown by, one more month and I’ll be
back in the United States. In July, I will be interning at a company. Studying abroad for me has been an
experience, this surely a “life changing experience” as what everyone would refer study abroad to. My
life in the United States is very different than my life in Xi’an. In the United States, I was in my comfort
zone, with all the peoples I love around and frightened to make any changes. Therefore, study abroad
allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and go make a difference. I was in an unfamiliar place all by
myself and with the peoples I just met from this program. Thoughts like “what if I don’t get along with
them, what if...etc.” keep popping in my mind. But I know I need to push myself, to go out and
communicate with them. Because of this opportunity, I’ve had the chance to interact with individuals of
many different nationalities, cultures, and socioeconomic situations. It has allowed me to lead a new
life in a foreign culture. I’ve explored the world, and met incredible people.
The classes I’m taking in Shaanxi Normal University is, “Chinese Character Culture”, “Intensive
Reading”, “Writing”, “Chinese Culture Guides” and “Chinese Culture”. My favorite class was the
“Chinese Character Culture”, because this class explain the Chinese character form and the relationship
between form and meaning. The history and culture related to Chinese characters with the unites of
marriage and family, nature, animals, ancient military…etc. The quality of the classes and the level of
difficulty in Shaanxi Normal University is different than the class in UMass Boston, because after all its
two totally different education systems, they all had their own way of teaching. Class in Shaanxi Normal
University started at 8 am and end at 12pm. That’s only two classes because one class is 2 hours long
with 10 mins break, then the next class. And the students stay in the same classroom, while the teachers
rotate. Then from 12p.m to 2:30 is lunch time and nap time for the Chinese students before their
afternoon time. Teachers in here all talks in Chinese, and the textbooks are also in Chinese, there’s no
translation. Unlike the class in UMass Boston, the teacher will talk in English and only explained some in
Chinese. Students in the classroom came from different country, with only one goal, to improve their
Chinese. And I really like this because this gives you the opportunity to interact with them, and learn
from them.
I stayed in Xi’an and study in Shaanxi Normal University. Xi’an is one of the oldest cities in China,
the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals. During my time in China, I’ve also visited Xiahe,
Guangdong, Beijing, and Chongqing. My favorite part of the city I’ve visited so far is Chongqing, because
that was the first time I’m traveling by myself, also a trip I didn’t tell my parents at all. Because I know
they won’t let me go if I told them, but I really want a trip on my own, to explore. I planned everything
on my own, and I mostly walked from one place to the other because I don’t want to miss any place in
between. The first day in Chongqing, I didn’t know their accent will be so hard to understand, it’s like a
totally different language, most of the time I had no ideas what they are talking about. I met some
friends in the hostel, and we explore Chongqing together. They are at the same age as me, with the
same personalities, so we had so much fun together.
I will definitely recommend this program to those who are interested in learning Chinese and
learn about the culture. This allowed you to experience the differences between America and China.
And to visit all the historical places allowed you to learn more about the history than anything from any
history book. What I plan to use of my gained experiences from studying abroad in China is to share my
experience and help the one who are also interested in studying abroad. I will make use out of it to help
my future career. The overall experience of the study abroad allowed me to gain more perspective on
the Chinese people and cultures. One of the best ways to gain experience and stories would be to travel
to a foreign country. So, if you also want to experience what it’s like to live in a foreign country, start
moving now.
Xi’an Spring 2017
Shaanxi Normal University, with
Wanli Hu, Director of China
Program Center.
Xi’an, Spring 2017
Swallow Coffee, dinner with our
resident director, Helen.
Xiahe, Spring 2017
Traveling with friends and had lunch
with the locals.
Xiahe, Spring 2017
Tea party at the hostel, they teach us
how to brew tea, differences
between all the teas, manner…etc.
Chongqing, Spring 2017
Friends I met in Chongqing and
explore Chongqing together.
This picture was taken outside
of the Art University in
Chongqing.
“You never really travel alone. The world
is full of friends waiting to get to know you”
Chongqing, Spring 2017
Hongya Cave