“Studying Chinese opens the doors to different ways of thinking,” said junior John Fox. “It helped a lot to be able to come here and study abroad this summer and to experience such a great city.”
Fox was one of several Notre Dame students to participate in the 2015 China Summer Language Program through the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts and Letters.
Students honed their Chinese language skills at Peking University in Beijing, both in the classroom and one-on-one with an instructor. Students in the program typically advance the equivalent of one full year of study in just eight weeks.
“It definitely challenges you and pushes you to keep asking questions and get around some language barriers," said junior Margaret Quinn.
In addition to language study, program participants also have time to explore the city. Although living in Beijing was intimidating for Quinn at first, being immersed in another culture helped her become accustomed to life outside the U.S.
“Getting to study abroad is so important," she said, “because you won’t really ever understand another culture fully until you’re living in that culture.”
You can also watch this video on YouTube.
