What inspired you to travel abroad?
Seeing my sister study abroad in college really motivated me to go abroad as well. I knew I wanted to study abroad but I wasn’t sure where. I found out about the amazing program CAPA had in Shanghai and I was sold.
Why did you choose CAPA The Global Education Network?
I choose CAPA because it allowed me to study abroad and have an internship. I believed that this internship would allow me to really understand what goes on in an international company. Also how employers can adapt to any language barrier.
A view from the Great Wall of China
What was your favorite part about Shanghai?
I loved being in the city. Our university was only a ten minute walk to the nearest metro station, which made it very convenient to wake up some mornings and decide to explore Shanghai.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
CAPA hosted many weekend events. This allowed us to see so much of Shanghai while still having a tour guide who could translate everything. Also having classes that actually taught you about Chinese culture and history.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
They did an amazing job supporting us through our program. They helped us check in to the dorms the night we landed. They also helped finalize our schedules and found us all internships. The student workers attend many of the weekend trips to help translate. All of the local staff went above and beyond to make our time in China amazing.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have learned a little bit of Mandarin before heading to China. I believe even knowing the basics would have helped a great deal.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I would usually wake up around 7:30 a.m. and be out the door by 8:45 a.m. I would then walk a half mile to the metro station and take one metro for one stop before switching and going for one more stop. I would then walk another half a mile to get to my internship.
I would stay there until usually noon. After, I would leave and do the walk and metro back to the university. I would get back around 12:45 p.m. and grab food quickly at a street vendor on the way back. At 1:10 p.m. I would head off to my class, which lasted from 1:30-4:30 p.m. I would have dinner in the cafeteria. Usually my roommate and I would do homework to finish off the night, or we would go to a local park and walk around.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
There was a track right outside of our dorm room. On a warm night I would go for a long run after class. I also loved to just walk around a local park.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We lived in an international dorm on the fifth floor. It came with two rooms, desks, and two closets. There was even laundry services for the sheets on the beds once a week. There was a nice study room and full laundry service. I loved how your neighbors were from all over the world.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
It is an amazing program that will keep you on your toes. The team members in China are incredible. They make you feel at home and are very welcoming.
Would you recommend CAPA The Global Education Network to others? Why?
Absolutely! Through this program I was able to study abroad and have an internship. Having an internship while abroad was amazing because it allowed me to see how international business is conducted.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The ability to gain global awareness. Being able to travel and experience first-hand about another country is incredible.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
It has motivated me to travel abroad again. I am now more aware and interested in what is happening around the world.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
It means that when you return home you have been affected in some way—which is exactly what happened to me when I studied abroad in China.
