Study abroad program immerses UWL students in Chinese language, culture

Study abroad program immerses UWL students in Chinese language, culture

The best way to improve understanding of a culture is through immersion. This summer, UWL students under the supervision of Associate Professor Hongying Xu embarked on a four-week study abroad program to Hangzhou, China, to immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture.

Xu worked with Hangzhou Normal University (HZNU) to co-design this program. It was partially funded by the American Short-Term Study in China Initiative (ASSCI) scholarship program, making the trip affordable for students.

"HZNU offered cultural courses such as Chinese painting, calligraphy, folk music and martial arts, while I focused on language courses to help students develop their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills," Xu says.

In addition to on-campus courses, students were able to experience more of China through the various excursions included in their trip.

"Our program was packed with cultural activities," Xu says. "We visited museums, gardens, libraries, and commercial districts, celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival, and interacted with Chinese families and students. These experiences gave students a deep appreciation of China's rich history and vibrant present."

The objective of this study abroad program was for students to develop their intercultural communicative competence and feel more comfortable interacting with people different from diverse backgrounds.

Among the participants was Michael Bills, an international business and marketing double major. Bills' time in China not only improved his language skills but also provided valuable networking opportunities.

"Chinese is one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn, and being physically in the culture did a lot to improve my learning, global outlook and communicative competence," Bills says. "China's significance as a global economy made it a perfect place for professional development."

While networking, Bills connected with several faculty members and business professionals at the Alibaba School of Business at HZNU. His expertise in operations management and supply chain logistics earned him a spot on Hangzhou University's team for the "Co-Making the Future" competition. The team's presentation on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline operations management for small to medium-sized apparel companies advanced to the national level. Bills will return to Beijing in August for the final competition.

"I am definitely looking forward to it," Bills says. "We will be presenting in front of thousands of students and members of the Chinese federal government, as well as members of the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., once I return stateside."

Xu enjoyed watching her students grow in their own ways throughout the trip.

"I think my favorite part of this trip was to see my students grow in different ways," Xu says. "Some improved their language skills, some overcame their shyness and started to use Chinese in different daily activities. Some started to see the importance of reflecting on one's own experiences and started to submit in-depth analysis of what they had encountered."

Bills encourages students to take the leap, get out of their comfort zone and participate in a study abroad trip in college.

"The world is full of incredible people, places and cultures outside of the U.S.," Bills says. "So many doors will open for you personally, in continuous learning and professional development regardless of major or field of study. I would say, do it."

Learn more about UWL's study abroad opportunities here.