As the deadline for this year’s Go Global applications is fast approaching, we asked students who recently wrapped up their exchanges to highlight their experiences! For those who are applying and are looking for tidbits of insight and advice, or if you’re simply interested in travelling abroad, keep reading to learn more.
In this installment, we’ll hear from Isidora on her experience at Fudan University in China!
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- What made you want to do Go Global?
- Why did you select your school/location?
- If you were to describe your Go Global experience using 5 words, what would they be?
- What was one of the most meaningful experiences you had during your time abroad?
- What’s something new you learned through your time in Go Global that has stuck with you?
- How did your Asian Studies minor enhance your Go Global experience, and vice versa?
- Did you have any reservations before you went on Go Global? How did these resolve?
- What advice would you give to those applying for Go Global now?
What made you want to do Go Global?
As a student minoring in Chinese Language and culture, I knew I wanted to have the ultimate language learning experience by immersing myself in a Chinese speaking country.
Why did you select your school/location?
I chose Fudan University because it has one of the most prominent and recognizable International Relations programs in Asia. Attending this university would allow me to add on to my International Relations studies at UBC.
Image Description: Isidora speaking at a Trilateral Conference at Fudan for her Global Governance Class.
If you were to describe your Go Global experience using 5 words, what would they be?
Transformative, Unique, Captivating, Cross-Cultural, Eye-Opening.
What was one of the most meaningful experiences you had during your time abroad?
One of the most memorable experiences I had was travelling to Yunnan province with my friend I met at Fudan, Peter. In just four days, we experienced different climates, altitudes, met and spoke to various ethnic minorities, and tried a variety of food! We explored Kunming, the capital city of the province, explored the ancient city of Lijiang, ventured into Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Shangri-la – the capital and largest city of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture! The landscapes and scenery were captivating.
Image Description: Isidora in front of a waterfall at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yunnan).
What’s something new you learned through your time in Go Global that has stuck with you?
Through my Go Global experience, I’ve learned that your experience is really what you make of it! I initiated lots of travels throughout the country, talking to new people from different cultures on and off campus, and study groups to maximize the learning I was getting from my host university. This exchange experience is truly what you make of it – so it is crucial to put yourself out there to experience the most of what the opportunity has to offer.
How did your Asian Studies minor enhance your Go Global experience, and vice versa?
Supported by Asian Studies courses prior to my exchange, including Chinese language courses and courses pertaining to the history of East Asian cultures, I felt prepared to embark on this exchange and make the most of it by interacting with Shanghai locals and students from school in Chinese. I have taken Chinese courses through Asian Studies every year since the beginning of my university career, and I’ve also taken several intensive Chinese summer courses. The Oral Practice component of the Chinese course, where we practice our learned classroom material with native speakers, contributed greatly to my preparation to embark on exchange.
Going on exchange allowed me to connect with students from various academic backgrounds and share our interests and passions for learning about Chinese culture, customs, and language. I acquired a lot of practical Chinese language skills through my HSK 5 Chinese course that I took at Fudan, and from meeting fellow students on campus. I initiated a tandem language exchange with one of my good friends I met at Fudan, who is a PhD student in Linguistics. We would practice Chinese for one hour and English the next hour every week. With our respective native language skills, we helped each other practice our target languages. It was a very impactful experience!
Image Description: Isidora posing in front of Shanghai skyscrapers with UBC Asian Studies bag.
Did you have any reservations before you went on Go Global? How did these resolve?
As this exchange was something I had been looking forward to for a very long time, I did not have many reservations prior to the experience. Considering this was my first time in Asia, I had some questions about weather, climate, lifestyle, and language (barriers). Before leaving for exchange, I would recommend doing some research on the weather in the host country, the season you are leaving, and maybe watch some vlogs from other students’ experiences! I began to watch many vlogs about daily life in Shanghai as a foreigner, and other Fudan University students’ vlogs. This surprisingly alleviated my worries about the language barrier and helped me get an insight into the life, style, and activities in Shanghai, and at Fudan University.
What advice would you give to those applying for Go Global now?
If you have any doubts about the application process, I recommend reaching out to the Go Global office so they can connect you with a Go Global Ambassador. The Ambassadors are there to answer any questions incoming Go Global students may have!
Isidora in front of Shanghai skyline
Isidora near Beijing (Great Wall behind)
Fudan University
Isidora in Xi-an
8 - Shanghai at Night
Shanghai at night
Isidora in Shangri-la
Enjoyed this article? Check out more installments of the Going Global series below!
