A Once in a Lifetime Experience

I could go on for days talking about why participating in CET Beijing was one of the best experiences of my life, but I will highlight a few of the main reasons! Firstly, the language pledge. This was the aspect of the program that I was TERRIFIED about before arriving in Beijing and it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the program. The language pledge is definitely what you make it and it is up to you to push yourself daily. But for those of you who decide you will take on that challenge with your best effort, the results are amazing! Before arriving in Beijing I never would have thought that I would speak Chinese naturally and fluently without even thinking about the English translations. The language pledge is also unique because all of your peers are in that challenge right beside you. Make sure that you have a support system who cares equally about upholding the language pledge and pushing themselves. I promise, you will not be dissapointed! Secondly, the CET staff is extraordinary. The effort and time that each of the CET teachers puts into their work is so evident in the classroom. Not only do you feel the support in the classroom, but also when you leave class. My teachers were always available to meet with me or simply talk to me via WeChat if I had any questions at all! My advice is to utilize them as resources and really get to know them as people outside of the classroom. At the end of the program my teacher invited our class to her home in Beijing which was so special! And lastly, the friends you will make on this trip will become family. I was very worried about making friends, especially when using another language to express myself, but it happened and the relationships were deep and meaningful. There is no one else in the world that understands your experience better than those you experience Beijing with, so cherish those people and those memories! I am blessed and humbled to have met all the people I did during CET Beijing. This program is for everyone, and I promise you will not be disappointed!