Student Profiles
Program alumni are the best resources for students interested in going abroad, and they are available to answer your questions. If you would like to talk to a recent student about their experience in Beijing, get in touch with the advisor, Bill Mayers.
Nicolas Woreth, Middlebury College
I had an awesome time in Beijing. I made many Chinese friends, improved my language skills significantly, and still had time left to explore the spots I wanted to see in the city. Unlike similar programs, Middlebury in Beijing values the cultural experience of exploring Beijing almost as much as language learning. The Experience Beijing course took us to a new interesting spot every week, and we also had the opportunity to see things on our own and get refunds for related spending.
As for academics, we have several electives to choose from, and the best part for me is the one-on-one tutorial, for which we can freely choose a topic that aligns with our interests. I studied Chinese political thought, and some of my classmates chose to learn about the Chinese tech sector, Chinese stand-up comedy, and cross-strait relations. I think it’s a unique opportunity to learn specific vocabulary and content about the topic that matters the most to you.
The university also had a lot of options to make friends and truly live the life of a student in China. I joined the table tennis team, which was one of the highlights of my semester. As exchange students, we also have access to the dining hall, which has quite a bit of options and is very affordable, even by Chinese standards. We also have weekly “language tables” for which we choose a restaurant in the city and have lunch there with our classmates and teachers (covered by the program).
Overall, Beijing is an incredible place, with a millennial history, very convenient public transportation, and always a million things to do. After one semester there, my only regret is that I couldn’t stay longer. I can’t wait to go back!
Carolina Marie Rodriguez Arroyo, University of Puerto Rico
Coming to Beijing was a transformative experience and my first time traveling abroad. Participating in this program was both academically challenging and rewarding. Before coming to Beijing, I had trouble writing characters from memory, and my day to day speech was lacking. It was thanks to the Language Pledge and the volunteer friends that I was able to improve my spoken and written Chinese, as it was my first time being fully immersed in a Chinese speaking environment.
The Language Pledge was essential for my immersion in the program. At many times, it was frustrating not being able to convey everything I wanted, but it was through these limitations that I was able to improve. Classes fostered a close-knit bond between the professors and students, with the professors at Capital Normal University providing help and support.
By the end of the program, I saw my spoken and written Chinese improve, as well as my confidence. It’s an academically challenging experience, but I experienced significant personal growth. Not only did I improve my spoken and written Chinese, but I also developed new interests and newfound understanding about Chinese culture.
Li Chun Lily Berkowitz, Smith College
Because the pandemic had postponed so many opportunities to study abroad in China, I was incredibly excited and lucky to have the chance to go to Beijing during my senior year. In the past I had taken Mandarin lessons, but it was only after arriving in China that I realized how useful that skill was. Being in Beijing for three plus months, as well as signing the Language Pledge, was a huge boost to improving my spoken Mandarin. Because there were only five of us in the program, it created a great, close knit environment between us and the teachers. Not only did the teachers and staff teach and support us academically, they also felt like friends.
While the workload definitely kept you busy, there was also a lot of time to explore the city. I loved seeing Beijing’s temples, parks, and museums, which at the same time displayed some of the many interesting cultural differences from the United States. Not to mention the amazing dishes and drinks that Beijing had to offer.
There are so many things that made the Beijing experience unique and fun, but lastly I wanted to mention one of my most favorite aspects of the program was the opportunity to be paired with a volunteer from the host university. It was because of this that I met Iva! Every weekend we would go on fun adventures in the city and talk about topics ranging from our favorite musicians to how each country deals with environmental issues. Studying abroad through the Middlebury Beijing program is definitely an effective and exciting way to practice Chinese language skills, experience Chinese culture, and meet new people!
Amuna Sonomdagva, Middlebury College
Personally, China marks my third venture into studying abroad independently, and the experience has been truly mind-blowing. Transitioning from a tiny town like Middlebury to the bustling city of Beijing was a stark and exciting change. Our campus is close to a subway station and centrally located in the city, so such accessibility made it incredibly easy to embark on weekend adventures in citywalks (hutong), visiting temples and parks, and discovering cute coffee shops and delicious eateries. And yes, cool bars and clubs, too!
The classes I took during the program provided me a deep understanding of Chinese society, history, and culture, which I’m truly grateful for. It’s surprising how we delved into complex issues entirely in Chinese! Learning about the Cultural Revolution, contemporary Chinese society, politics, and significant figures like Mao and Deng Xiaoping made my experience more profound. Even in “Experience Beijing” class, we explored the history and significance of attractions beforehand. It was painful at a time, but we wrote many short and long essays in Chinese that improved my writing skills so much. This academic dimension sets us apart from regular language students and tourists, and it’s incredible to think I learned all this in Chinese! All the teachers were very encouraging and understanding, always wanting us to succeed and improve our Chinese. They became a family for us as they provided us support not only in academics but also in helping us integrate into life in China.
At first, my family encouraged me to learn Chinese, but after spending a semester in Beijing, my interest expanded beyond just learning the language. I developed a fascination with China and even contemplated pursuing a career path there. I loved it so much that after the program, I independently secured an internship at an animation company. Check out Scissor Seven!
Studying abroad is filled with possibilities, though it does come with significant challenges – challenges that, in retrospect, I believe were all worth facing.
Paige Alexander, Franklin & Marshall College
Before coming to this program, I did not fully understand how truly magical our world can be. I came to Beijing with decent reading and writing skills, but no speaking skills! I could barely get out a “我不知道,” but this program’s structure and staff offer an amazing support structure. As my Chinese improved, I also had the chance to create a real relationship with my roommate, 路瀛 (pictured here)，instead of the broken sentences and quick pleco searches that we had both grown accustomed to. 路瀛 and I started sharing and discussing some of the many fascinating culture differences (and similarities!) between America and China. The bonus was that I was also able to practice Chinese.
Everyday I had the opportunity to explore Beijing, and I went to countless temples, museums, and even parks. I even tried danced along with the old Chinese women once or twice! I had the opportunity to explore new personal identities, as well as look at life through a new, broader lens. The program was difficult, in both an academic and an emotional sense, but the skills I learned because of it, from environmental adaptation to patience, made it well worth it.