Alumni Spotlight: Alice Williamson

Alice is from London, UK and has been working in Chinese art for over ten years. She studied in Beijing at BLCU in July and August 2011 to improve her Chinese for professional reasons. Alice loves travel, art and languages and if these can be combined, so much the better!

CSA Beijing students at stadium

Why did you decide to study abroad with China Study Abroad?

Alice: I chose China Study Abroad so that they could take care of all the arrangements and I could jump right into student life without having to worry about anything other than study. From the moment I was met by a friendly face at the airport, I knew I had made the right choice. Not only was I enrolled in my course, settled in a wonderful Chinese homestay, and provided with a mobile phone and helpful guidebooks, but I was also immediately part of a great social group with trips and nights out arranged for me to join in. The welcome was invaluable and I immediately felt at home in Beijing.

What made this study abroad experience unique and special?

Alice: I studied hard (six hours a day, plus homework) and was happy with the level I achieved which has since been very useful to me at work. What I couldn't have anticipated was the fantastic people I would meet and experiences I would have. Living in a country, even for a short time, is so different from holidaying and becoming familiar with frenetic, frustrating, fascinating Beijing was an experience I will never forget.