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Student Interviews |
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Name of student: Shibao Eri
Country of Residence: Japan
Citizenship: Japanese
Profession: Student
Educational Background: Under-graduate student: English
Brief work history: None
Languages spoken: Japanese, English
Hobbies: Pubbing, Watching movies, traveling
1. Is this your first time in China?
Yes, it is.
2. How do you like Beijing?
It’s cheap. It’s an international city and I like their culture. The most interesting one is Chinese Original culture which I find it very interesting and fun.
3. What do you find most interesting in Beijing?
They have their own native products which is very nice and which really reminds me of the country. I love their well preserved natural resources which attracts a lot of tourists.
4. Any memorable experiences in Beijing/China?
Hiking and exploring the outskirts of Beijing is one of the advantages of studying here. Its one way of learning their traditional culture.
5. What is the thing you like best about Beijing/China?
Of course, I like best is their culture. |
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Name of student: Njoo Lee Ming
Country of Residence: Belgium
Citizenship: Belgian
Profession: Student
Educational Background: Marketing
Brief work history: Internship at Maclaren McCann’s
Languages spoken: Dutch, French, German, English
Hobbies: Movies, Going out
1. Is this your first time in China?
No, I have been to Xiamen and Hong Kong before.
2. How do you like Beijing?
Excellent. I’m having a great time being here, with all the cultural things, meeting new people, good food and great nightlife.
3. What do you find most interesting in Beijing?
Their Culture especially the old ruins of Ancient times. If I imagine how they lived 100 years ago, it’s really impressive.
4. Any memorable experiences in Beijing/China?
Visiting cultural places was very interesting and overwhelming.
5. How has your experience in China changed you, if it has?
It let me appreciate Beijing/China a lot. Now, I really love Beijing.
6. What is the thing you like best about Beijing/China?
It’s cheap living here. They have lots of facilities. |
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Name of student: Kristefer Huyuh
Country of Residence: Sweden
Citizenship: Swedish
Profession: Student
Educational Background: Undergraduate- Civil Engineering
Brief work history: None
Languages spoken: Teochow, English, Swedish
Hobbies: Movies, Kung fu, Kickboxing, Travel
1. Is this your first time in China?
Yes, it is the first time but definitely not the last time.
2. Why did you decide to study Mandarin?
I think China will be the country I’ll work in the future. I also have personal interest in Mandarin.
3. How are you finding your studies in China?
I think its ok. I find it very hard to learn yet it is very interesting.
4. Has it been what you had expected?
Pretty much. The school’s method of teaching is very good that you learn faster than you expected.
5. Please state your “ideal language program” in China.
As it is now. my language program really suits me! Thank You! |
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Name of student: Winston Lloyd Tan
Country of Residence: Philippines
Citizenship: Filipino
Profession: Student
Educational Background: College level
Brief work history: Siesmic Shoft Motorworks
Languages spoken: Fookien, English, Tagalog
Hobbies: Basketball, Drag Racing
1. Is this your first time in China?
Yes
2. Why did you decide to study Mandarin?
It was partly my parent’s decision though I also have a personal interest in Mandarin and also it is the second universal language. I find it very helpful with regards to my future plans to speak Mandarin.
3. How are you finding your studies in China?
It is quite hard for me though I already had a background on Mandarin before but it was still the traditional Chinese that we used in school.
4. Has it been what you had expected?
Yes, definitely though I was impressed with the method they teach which helps the student learn fast and have the basic conversation in Mandarin for a short period of time.
5. Please state your “ideal language program” in China.
My ideal language program in China is just like what I expected, the class have minimal students which makes my learning fast and learning environment is observed. With ISC, all my problems and difficulties have been solved and they really know how to arrange program that really suits the level of the students. |
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Name of student: Timothy John Cowan
Country of Residence: England
Citizenship: British
Profession: Student
Educational Background: England, Australia, Holland, Argentina, and Wales. 12 IGCSE’s and International Baccalaureate
Brief work history:
• 3 months in Price Waterhouse Coopers, Argentina
• 2 Years in Bales Worldwide, England
• 2 Summers in Nimasco, Spain and England
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Chinese (well, almost)
Hobbies: Sport, music, drama, computers.
When I was younger I was fascinated by the prospect of the globalization of world economies. America, in the past has described as ‘the land of opportunity’ or at least in reference to 1900 onwards. China, as I see it, has the potential to exceed American control on global discourse. In my mind it presents the only real challenge to America, and provides the world with a way forward, if not a leap forward. I decided to study in China for many reasons; the beauty of the language and the complexity of a society so different from those I have been brought up in being just two. However, the central reason is more to do with the implications of the power struggle that is to happen in 20 (or so) years time.
I arrived in China on the 28th December 2004. I have traveled to many countries throughout my life, and to be pleasantly surprised by a country is not a usual occurrence. Has it been what I have expected? How could it!? China is unique. I like the fact that every country or culture that has, in the past, tried to invade China has ended up becoming part of it or at least adapting to the Chinese way of life. The reasons for this are key to my understanding of why China is so special, and even though I don’t understand it yet I will enjoy the path that will take me to the answer.
My studies here in China, at BLCU, are going very well. I have 4 hours class every day with an additional 4 hours outside work. The teachers are very special and considerate considering the difference in Chinese and western student mentality. We are pushed hard, and we all benefit from it immensely, although I sense the class is dividing and a disparity in fluency emerging. Studying Chinese is not easy, and requires a lot of commitment, but the rewards are plentiful and fruitful. In comparison to my ideal language program, the course at BLCU is hindered by the absence of immersing the students into local activities. The advantage gained from talking with local residents is understandably crucial if one is to learn the languageproperly. By assisting in any way possible in the day-to-day activities of local Chinese, such as helping the poor and disabled, or helping at the Red-Cross, students would have the chance to improve their Chinese speaking skills ten-fold. It is needless to indicate the improved moral stance as well.
Beijing is an odd city, but under the skin shines with potential. It is not the cleanest city in the world, assisted by it’s inhabitants who care little for littering and spitting, but is by far not the dirtiest. Beijing is filled with interesting things to do and see, often too many to cover in an entire year. Tourism is big, but partying is bigger. You are guaranteed a great evening if you are so willing, and if you come from a country with a strong currency, you will find that your wallet goes home a lot happier as well! Not indigenous to Beijing, but very apparent is the sense of family that the Chinese are brought up to respect more than any country I have ever been to. This is by and large the most interesting thing about Beijing, and is wonderful to watch. Face, and honor are still part of the everyday life of most Chinese people, and caring for one's family is an excellent way to prove yourself.
I have seen a lot and done a lot since I arrived. Some wonderful memories include: horse riding, The Summer Palace, WangFuJing, pub crawls, partying, cycling to the parks and having lunch, buying food at the markets, and many more.
China will change you if you give it the chance. It has changed my personality considerably, and I’ve only been here 3 months. Perhaps not wiser, but at least I now know how to bargain! You will feel odd about the differences between men and women if you come from a typically western culture such as England and America. I don’t like it much, but there is little you can do about it until you speak Chinese!
What’s the best thing about Beijing? There is no correct answer to that question, rather a compilation of answers all adding up to create a book of memories. The food isn’t bad, I must admit, but I miss tea-bags and English chocolate so it kind of balances out. The people are friendly and always enjoy a good banter, especially if you bring along a bottle of strong alcohol. Things are cheap here and a lot more relaxed than back home, and at the end of the day you can find yourself Beijing a little more than you did at the end of the last day. |
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