Two Weeks in Chengdu

Traveling to Chengdu, a city in China's Sichuan province, with Projects Abroad for a two week High School Specials program in law and business was an unforgettable experience! Prior to deciding to travel with Projects Abroad, I had studied Mandarin at my high school for a year and was researching a number of programs that offered trips to China. I ultimately chose to visit China through Projects Abroad, because I felt that their law and business program was both unique and tailored to my interests.

I had never travelled abroad alone before my trip to China, and the Projects Abroad employees did a wonderful job at answering my questions and easing my concerns prior to my departure. When I arrived at the airport in Chengdu, I was immediately greeted by a friendly staff member and introduced to other students who I would be working with throughout the trip. I was then brought to my home stay, where I met my lovely host family, who taught me about traditional Chinese holidays and everyday life in Chengdu throughout my time with them.

My days in Chengdu were filled with various sorts of activities that taught me about both Chinese culture and business. We spent multiple mornings taking language and cultural lessons at the Mandarin Club. It was these lessons that enabled me to feel comfortable interacting with locals during my stay. We also visited China Linguist, a linguistics company which we worked closely with to construct our final projects. When we were not in class or working with China Linguist, we were visiting law firms to learn about both the Chinese legal structure and the similarities and differences between eastern and western law.

I spent my free time immersing myself within the local community with the help of my host family. I was able to see pandas, visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, attend the Sichuan Opera, and eat at many local restaurants, including a number of different hot pot restaurants.

Ultimately, my trip with Projects Abroad was fantastic! The staff’s amazing work allowed me to feel comfortable while I travelled so far from home and allowed me to fall in love with a city so different from my own.