Why did you decide to study abroad with ISA in Shanghai, China?
Brittany: I decided to study abroad in Shanghia, China because I wanted to be thrown completely out of my comfort zone! I didn’t know any Mandarin Chinese and I didn’t know how to use chopsticks! However, I decided that I really wanted a challenge.
What made studying abroad a unique and special experience?
Brittany: This study abroad experience was unique and special for me because I’m African American and China is not a diverse country so people were not used to seeing a person of color. The people stared and took photos of me and the five weeks I studied in China gave me a new perspective of what it must be like to be a celebrity.
Another aspect of my study abroad experience that made the experience unique and special was the chance it gave me to see what life was like in a Communist country. In China social networking sites like Facebook, twitter, and YouTube are banned along with most western media like CNN. Lastly, actually walking along the great wall is an experience that I will never forget. I was amazed at the ability of what people could engineer hundreds of years ago.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Brittany: This expeience has impacted my future because studying in China has given me a much greater appreciation for human life and for all the freedoms that I have been given. I came home grateful for the little things. Having toilet paper, a toilet, Facebook, diversity, etc. Professionally, I have decided that after graduation I want to teach in the Peace Corp because I want to teach children in areas that desperately need qualified teachers. Academically, taking the basic Chinese language class has inspired me to continue to take Mandarin Chinese.