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Name: Yanisha Brown
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Home Institution: University of Arkansas
Name of scholarship program: David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships for International Study
Academic Term: 2005-2006
Major: International Relations and East Asian Studies
Study Abroad Destination: Chengdu, China
What surprised you the most about China’s culture? As an extracurricular activity, I participated in something called “The English Corner.” I would stand in the middle of the square and random students would come to practice their English with me. I could relate to that way of learning because I also sought people out to practice my Chinese, and participating in “The English Corner” helped me to meet Chinese friends. We went to the movies; I was invited to people’s houses, and it was a thrilling experience overall.
What surprised you the most about China’s culture?
As an extracurricular activity, I participated in something called “The English Corner.” I would stand in the middle of the square and random students would come to practice their English with me. I could relate to that way of learning because I also sought people out to practice my Chinese, and participating in “The English Corner” helped me to meet Chinese friends. We went to the movies; I was invited to people’s houses, and it was a thrilling experience overall.
Yanisha Brown received a Boren Scholarship and studied off the beaten path in Chengdu, China to improve her Chinese language skills.
What do you wish you had known before you traveled abroad?
I’m originally from Arkansas and studied in Chengdu, China for an academic year. One of the reasons I decided on that particular area of China is because it is slightly off the beaten path. I wanted to study in a place where there would be few foreigners because I thought it would be good for language acquisition.
My life in China was very fulfilling. On a typical day, I would go to Chinese class for four hours in the morning, have lunch near campus with a friend, and in the afternoon I had my other classes. I took a Chinese government class, a Chinese culture class, and for fun I took a class on Chinese cuisine. I had really gotten used to some of the local food, and was interested in learning how to cook it since I knew I would have a hard time finding it when I got back to Arkansas.
How has the study abroad experience shaped your studies or career since returning?
My Boren term also affected my language skills in a dynamic way. Nothing can compare to the year that I spent there, particularly during my second semester when I lived with a host family. In the first semester, I lived around other Americans and Europeans and, even though my Chinese improved, it was not as good as I wanted it to be. During my second semester, although both of my host parents did speak English, I specifically asked them not to because I wanted to work on my language skills, and they graciously kept that promise.
Since the scholarship ended, I have completed my degree at the University of Arkansas and received master’s degrees from Seton Hall University in Asian studies, and diplomacy and international relations. Last summer, I completed an internship in Taiwan with the Department of State.
What is your advice for an American student planning to apply for a Boren Scholarship? If I could give advice to applicants for the Boren Scholarship, I would tell them to be honest, and to make sure they tap into the life experiences that motivated them to study overseas. I also suggest that applicants make friends in their institutions’ international program offices, since the staff is ready to help fine tune their applications. A couple of years before I applied for the Boren Scholarship, going to China seemed like a far-fetched idea. It was a little overwhelming at times since I was the only one from my school and I was far away by myself. However, I decided that it was more important for me to learn this language and to develop into a global citizen. I definitely appreciate the Boren Scholarship for giving me that opportunity.
What is your advice for an American student planning to apply for a Boren Scholarship?
If I could give advice to applicants for the Boren Scholarship, I would tell them to be honest, and to make sure they tap into the life experiences that motivated them to study overseas. I also suggest that applicants make friends in their institutions’ international program offices, since the staff is ready to help fine tune their applications. A couple of years before I applied for the Boren Scholarship, going to China seemed like a far-fetched idea. It was a little overwhelming at times since I was the only one from my school and I was far away by myself. However, I decided that it was more important for me to learn this language and to develop into a global citizen. I definitely appreciate the Boren Scholarship for giving me that opportunity.
Name: April Dawn Smith
Hometown: Lebanon, VA
Home Institution: Emory & Henry College
Name of scholarship program: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Academic Term: Fall 2009
Major: Triple Majoring in Asian Studies, Sociology, and Political Science
Study Abroad Destination: Beijing, China (Beijing University)
What surprised me the most about China's culture was the large difference between life in rural areas compared to life in China's urban areas. Such disparities in culture and lifestyle exist in the U.S. as well, but not to the extreme that these differences exist in China. The difference between the culture found in rural China from the culture in Beijing and other large cities was amazing to experience.
April Dawn Smith, a student at Emory & Henry College, received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study in China.
I wish I had known a bit more of the language and the history of China. Although it is possible to travel to China without knowing the language, I wish I had a greater understanding of Mandarin before I studied in China simply for the greater ease of access it would have afforded me with the local citizens. Also, since China is a country with a deep and rich history, I feel that I would have appreciated many of the breathtaking sites China has to offer twice as much had I known their background.
Studying abroad in China has given me a whole new outlook on my academic career and has ignited in me an even greater passion for learning Mandarin. Before studying abroad in China, I never realized just how much zeal I had for the field of Asian Studies. Now I plan to pursue these interests in graduate school and funnel them into my future career, hopefully one day working for the U.S. State Department.
What is your advice for an American student planning to study in China?
My advice for a student studying in China is to have an open mind and live in the moment, savoring the experience. The language barrier and cultural differences can quickly become overwhelming, but keep in mind that most other foreign students studying in China share these feelings and don’t let it detract from your experience. China is so extremely welcoming to foreign students that if you go with an open mind these issues will quickly fade and just become another aspect of your experience.
What activities do you recommend for visiting students in China?
Some of the activities I would recommend for visiting students in China are cliché, like walking on the Great Wall of China or visiting the Summer Palace (my favorite scenic attraction). But a unique activity that I would recommend for visiting students is traveling to and spending time in China's rural villages. It is easy to become consumed in China's urban life while studying in a large city like Beijing, and completely miss out on the rural aspects of the country. I know that for me visiting these rural villages in China granted me a whole new perspective on not only China, but also on life in general. Finally, I would recommend getting out of your comfort zone and just talking to the locals. Nothing will give you a more in-depth look at China's culture and customs like getting to know its citizens; not to mention that this is an absolutely fantastic way to practice your language skills.
Name: Clay Ngo
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Home Institution: San Francisco State University
Name of scholarship program: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Academic Term: Fall 2008/Spring 2009
Major: Film/ Chinese language and culture Study Abroad Destination: Beijing, China
Major: Film/ Chinese language and culture
Study Abroad Destination: Beijing, China
I lived in China in 2008, 30 years after their great Economic Reform of 1978. What was once an agrarian economy has transformed into a thriving market economy of rapid modernity, where Chinese culture has not gone untouched. Across every skyline, cranes poked their heads out like delicate birds taking China off to new heights, but through the cobble alleyways of Old Beijing, families were still visibly struggling— the stratification and transformation of Chinese social classes were perhaps the most surprising.
Gilman Scholar Clay Ngo volunteered with a Peking University student group, after completing a year of study in China, and traveled to JiangXi to teach English to underserved high school students
Aside from wishing I had packed frozen burritos, I would say that the Internet restrictions were sometimes troubling— but maybe it was a good thing to have Facebook ripped from my fingertips. If U.S. websites are an important part of your lifestyle, I would recommend securing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) before you depart.
With the U.S. job climate currently so dismal, I am looking at jobs abroad, especially in China or Taiwan. Since I lived there for a year, I have some connections, and integrating back into Chinese society does not give me anxiety. I am sad that my career has not taken off in the U.S., but I‘m happy I have the confidence to look at the rest of the world for opportunities, especially in bustling China.
If the Chinese language could be ingested in a pill, I wish I’d taken a healthy dose before I arrived in China. But the true magical pill comes from living in China and struggling to get by. Language is the key to adapting to new places, understanding culture, and most importantly, making friends and staying sane. I wish someone had advised me that language comes with time, and can’t be forced, no matter how many pinyin flashcards you study. Chinese vendors will become your best friends, even though they will make you bargain for your life. In the end, you’ll be all right.
Travel. The Chinese railway system is cheap and accessible, outstretching, and outperforming the U.S. by a large margin—and it continues to grow. I took trains that traversed through mountains, over hills, and under tunnels (some lasted more than 24 hours!)— this was the best way to see China, from the West coast’s vast, lush countryside, to the East coast’s vibrant cities. Don’t forget your cup of noodles for the long trip!
Name: David Marzban
Hometown: Los Angeles (Northridge)
Home Institution: Pepperdine University
Academic Term: 2008-2009 academic year
Major: Dual Major in International Business and Asian Studies
Study Abroad Destination: Shanghai, China
The warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people surprised me most. When my class traveled to a village in the Guilin province, a family invited us over to over for dinner. With various dishes like steamed snails, water spinach, pork and beef, the family prepared such a special meal for us, it was as if we were close friends.
Majoring in International Business and Asian Studies at Pepperdine University, David Marzban received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study in China.
I wish I had been mindful of bringing gifts that are authentic items from America. Gift-giving is a special characteristic of Chinese culture. The people were often exceptionally generous, and I, too, wanted to be an ambassador by sharing something from my country.
Upon returning to the United States, I adopted a dual major in International Business and Asian Studies. Last summer, I returned to Shanghai again to participate in an academic program known as the Fudan University American Scholarship Program. I hope to pursue a career that involves cross-cultural exchange in The East.
I would encourage students to be bold and to remind themselves how fortunate they are to study in a different culture. It is a privilege to represent our schools and our country abroad; it’s healthy to remind ourselves to be grateful.
I would definitely visit the college campuses and museums. There are many opportunities to meet students your age and to share each other’s worldviews. I experienced great personal growth by meeting students my age from China and learning about their views and lives.