Name: Jessica Lee
E-mail: jlee69@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 and Liu Endowment
Blog URL: http://sites.nd.edu/sla2017/author/jlee69nd-edu/
A brief personal bio:
Hello! My name is Jessica Lee and I am originally from Granger, IN. I am a rising sophomore at the University of Notre Dame where I am currently majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a pre-med track and an intent to minor in Chinese. I am extremely excited to live and study in Beijing for 8 weeks this summer at Peking University, where I will have the incredible opportunity to participate in immersion learning that will not only better my language skills, but also my understanding of China’s culture and history.
Why this summer language abroad opportunity is important to me:
Through this eight-week language program offered by Notre Dame at Peking University, I hope to not only work towards my fluency in Chinese, but also explore and experience Chinese culture through first-hand engagement. I trust that the language immersion in this program will be effective in quickly and accurately improving my language skills, so I am especially thankful to SLA and their generous grant for aiding my ability to attend this program. With a Chinese minor in my interests, I believe that this program will help me in advancing my progress in the language while providing me with cultural knowledge that could only be obtained through this program. The value of immersion in this aspect cannot be matched in any other educational setting, and I believe that what I will learn through this program will be valuable for the rest of my life.
What I hope to achieve as a result of this summer study abroad experience:
The main goal I hope to achieve through this language program is, of course, an increased proficiency in Chinese. I hope to increase my skills so that I can speak, read, and write at a much more advanced level. I intend on taking this opportunity to communicate and interact with native speakers, and to practice the skills I learn first hand. The immersive nature of the program also encourages me to learn as much as I can about Chinese culture. The excursions and cultural events provided are opportunities in which language skills as well as cultural competency can be improved, and just living in Beijing for eight-weeks in itself will provide the opportunity to learn true Modern Chinese and see the value of understanding a second language as related to culture. I hope that through this program, I will be able to learn both the aspects of Chinese language and culture.
My specific learning goals for language and intercultural learning this summer:
1. At the end of the summer, I will be able to speak, read, write, and listen at a level of proficiency equal to two semesters beyond my current Chinese coursework placement at Notre Dame.
2. At the end of the summer, I will be able to communicate in Chinese with native speakers on academic and social topics.
3. At the end of the summer, I will be able to identify and explain important historical landmarks, as well as recognize and understand cultural practices and events.
My plan for maximizing my international language learning experience: