What inspired you to become a part of The Beijing Center?
I studied abroad at The Beijing Center in the spring and fall of 2009. Studying abroad was something I had always planned on doing and I knew I wanted to go somewhere different and unique. I also wanted to use my time abroad to gain experience that would be helpful in my future studies and career. When I started considering study abroad options through my university I found The Beijing Center and it was a perfect fit. During my semesters at TBC, I learned about China both inside the classroom and out, I improved my Chinese language skills, I made friends with local students like my Chinese roommate, and I saw the professional side of China through my internship. I was able to immerse myself in China in such a deep and meaningful way. The experience and the skills I gained in China and at TBC helped me throughout college and inspired my career in international education. I’m grateful to be back at TBC, now as an employee. TBC gave me so much as a student and I want others to have the same life changing opportunities. Knowing that I'm a part of the TBC experience has motivated me to be a better employee. I understand what these students go through and I'm always looking for ways to improve our processes and operations to help them have the best experience possible.
Taking a stroll on the Great Wall of China
As assistant director of university relations and recruitment at The Beijing Center, how do you prepare each student for their time abroad?
I work with students across all stages of the pre-departure process. From meeting with interested students at university study abroad fairs and on class visits, to helping students through the TBC application process, and communicating with them about course registration, the visa application and more, I’m here for whatever students need. I also try to be as honest and open with them as possible. I tell them about the awesome experiences they’ll have in China, as well as the challenges. Adjusting to a new place and culture are never easy, but we try to give our students all the tools they’ll need to succeed in China on their own.
TBC table at a university study abroad fair
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I don’t really have a typical day at work. I travel a lot during our busy recruitment seasons, and when I’m not on the road visiting our university partners and students, I work out of my home office. There are always emails and student questions to respond to, and keeping up with these can be challenging when you’re constantly on the go. When I’m at home, I keep more typical business hours and I usually set aside part of my day for whatever large project or communication campaign I’m working on.
How do you go about promoting TBC programs to other universities?
TBC was founded as a collaborative study abroad program, and since its inception, has received students from a number of Jesuit universities around the U.S. Additionally, as the only Jesuit program in Mainland China. TBC has strong support and interest from Jesuit colleges and universities around the world. Thanks to our shared history and values, promoting TBC programs to our Jesuit partners is a natural fit. TBC’s unique structure, rigorous classes, and immersion experience also make us a great option for non- Jesuit schools who want an experienced China partner for their students.
Hiking the sand dunes with students on TBC’s Silk Road excursion
What is the best advice you have for future participants?
Be willing to try new things and be open to whatever happens. You will only grow when you step outside of your comfort zone. Yes, there will be challenging days, but you will be surprised at what you can handle and how much stronger you’ll be in the end.
Why should student choose The Beijing Center over other competitors?
If you don’t know much about TBC, you might assume it’s a bunch of college students from the U.S. living and studying together in China. But this description doesn't explain the levels of immersion that students get to experience. TBC students can live with a Chinese roommate, join organizations on campus or in the larger expat network of Beijing, and meet people from around the world. Students study Chinese in the classroom, but they also use it every day to order food, get around the city, and practice speaking with their language tutor. TBC students can have an internship, gain international work experience, and experience a professional setting in foreign culture. TBC is so much more than meets the eye.
What do you think is the more influential part about studying abroad?
I think the most influential part of studying abroad is the opportunity to step outside your everyday routine, and experience the world from a new perspective. Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone helps you develop and discover new skills, such as empathy, critical thinking and problem solving, that will benefit you the rest of your life.
Posing with the camels after watching the sunset at the desert, TBC Silk Road excursion
If you could use one word to describe your time in China, what would it be?
Explain.
Surreal. One of the unique and awesome things about TBC is the academic excursions we do each semester with the students. I love to travel and find new adventures, but my travels with TBC are still some of the coolest, most intense trips I have ever taken. About two weeks after first arriving in China, I found myself in the mountains of Shangri La in southern China's Yunnan Province. I remember sitting in the home of a local Tibetan family, drinking Yak butter tea and eating yak cheese, watching a traditional Tibetan dance, and then walking back to our bus under a perfectly clear night sky with thousands of stars shining down on us. It was beautiful. And that was just the start of the trip. I knew then that China was something special and I've been studying and exploring China ever since. Over the years China has seen so much change, but every time I go back, there are still things that I find completely surreal and amazing.
What do you hope to see for The Beijing Center in the next 5 years?
I hope to see our program continue to grow and attract more students to study abroad in China. There will never be a time when China doesn’t matter to the world. That’s why learning about and understanding this complex country is so crucial. I also hope to see TBC alumni form a network that links all current and former TBC students and supports TBC’s mission of cultural engagement and friendship with China.
