Name: Patrick Hadley
E-mail: phadley1@nd.edu
Language: Chinese
Location of Study: Beijing, China
Program of Study: Beijing Language Summer Program
Sponsors: Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures, Liu Endowment
Blog URL: http://sites.nd.edu/sla2016/author/phadley1/
A brief personal bio:
I am a sophomore on the Notre Dame lacrosse team. I am from Concord, New Hampshire. I began studying Chinese my sophomore year at Deerfield Academy. I am currently majoring in Chinese Language and Economics at Notre Dame.
Why this summer language abroad opportunity is important to me:
The SLA grant is very important for me because it affords me the opportunity to introduce myself to a culture I have been studying for years. In terms of cultural and language experience, spending two months in Beijing is integral to my study of the Chinese language. After graduation, I hope to work in a field involving international relations, economics, and specifically China. I think US-China relations are important, and will only become more relevant on a National and International scale, and I aspire to become involved in furthering those relations.
What I hope to achieve as a result of this summer study abroad experience:
I hope to return to the US in August with a significantly increased prowess in speaking and listening ability, with specific focus on pronunciation. I also hope to gain at least a cursory understanding of Chinese culture. Next semester, as a junior, I will be enrolled in fourth-year Chinese. I hope to become as proficient as possible over the next two years to allow myself the opportunity to use the Chinese language in my career beyond Notre Dame.
My specific learning goals for language and intercultural learning this summer:
- At the end of the summer, I will be able to communicate with native Chinese speakers on topics regarding business and economics.
- At the end of the summer, I will be able to speak, write, and listen at a level of proficiency 2 semesters beyond my current Chinese Coursework placement at Notre Dame.
- At the end of the summer, I will be able to interact in China with a solid understanding of the cultural differences between US and China, and will be sensitive to those differences in the future.
- At the end of the summer, I will be able to conduct fluent conversation on topics of current events with native Chinese speakers.
My plan for maximizing my international language learning experience:
I intend to take the same diligence I display in learning Chinese at Notre Dame and to intensify and concentrate that effort. I will be focusing specifically on the language and culture, and will therefore have a very direct focus on my work. I also intend to take advantage of the cultural immersion opportunities to gain as broad of an experience as possible. I will eagerly accept difficult speaking challenges, pushing myself to communicate with native speakers and adhere to my language pledge in hopes to improve my level as swiftly and steadily as possible.