First and second year undergraduate students across the United States will hear about all the benefits from studying abroad; you will not only explore a new culture, but you may also have the opportunity to develop your foreign language while studying abroad. I’m thankful that I was granted both these opportunities while abroad in Beijing, China; I learned to admire the unique Asian culture, and I received a myriad of opportunities that accelerated my Mandarin Chinese language learning level. The natives were so helpful to foreigners like myself; for example, when I interacted with them—with a taxi driver, at a market, or any of one hundred other scenarios—they would help me on my grammar or pronunciation.
Their kindness allowed me to understand that the only reason I’ve had the significant gains in the language is due to the fact that I took advantage of talking to foreigners whenever given the opportunity and no matter how embarrassed I was. These significant gains are the reasons why I would recommend anyone that is considering applying for a SLA Grant or preparing to start their own summer language study aboard to have an open mind and to set any fears aside, because there is a significant difference between learning a language in a classroom setting and learning a language in the country of origin.
The start of this upcoming semester will mark one year since I started Mandarin. With the completion of my 2nd year Chinese class this summer, I am now in a position to complete my 3rd year of Chinese this upcoming year, and I also plan to finish two years of Arabic my junior and senior year. This summer language school placed me in a special position in which I established a strong foundation and advanced knowledge in Chinese as well as a fresh foundation of Arabic coming out of Notre Dame. I am very blessed to receive the opportunity to go abroad this last summer because now I will gain above an intermediate level in two very difficult and practical languages from Notre Dame in just four years.