Student Voices

My Experience

"I can honestly say that my expectations were surpassed. I love China and plan on coming back as often as I can." -Genesis Encarnacion: Beyond Expectation
"Chengdu truly feels like 'the home away from home'." Salma Hbaich: At Home in China
"I have had an unbelievable transition from pessimistic to optimistic individual. This study abroad program has impacted my life in three important ways: personally, academically, and financially. This exercise has become a way for me to relieve any type of stress and, as they say, “find a place inside where there is joy and the joy will burn out of pain.”  The g-MEO program is making me realize how I can go if I am willing to accept the challenges thrown at me." - Maman Cisse: Exploring the Chengdu and its Diverstiy
"Even when I’m back home in the United States of America, I will carry China in me always. The uniqueness of China has an undeniable charm that sucks you in and captures you before you even land in the Middle Kingdom, whether you realize it or not. It’s an experience of a lifetime"Hailey Cohen: I Love China
"My study abroad experience in Chengdu is one that I will never forget. Almost two years later, I still miss it like crazy.  I made a lot of great memories - exploring Chengdu, learning the Chinese culture, and eating delicious traditional Sichuanese food. I also met a lot of wonderful people and became very close with some that I still keep in touch with. My visa does not expire until 2028, so I know I will return one day!" - Virginia Sanchez (Fairleigh Dickinson University), Summer Session I 2017 

 

 

 

Study at Chengdu American Center

"I have really focused on immersing myself in the language to have a basic level of communication...Taking my Beginning Mandarin Course has really assisted me in understanding the intricacies of the language" - Gail Sexius: Communication Exchange - Are Hand Gestures Ever Really Enough?
"Aside from attending lectures about Chinese law, we were fortunate enough to watch and participate in a moot court or mock trial. " Joe Nguyen: Immersed in Internship
"American Courts and International Law are amazing classes, and I am very happy to be taking them. I have seen the world a different way in how laws and policies work around the world. I have met many good friends who live in China, and I plan to come back and visit them." David Mejia: Mike's Pizza and Other Things
Elevator Pitch, Chinese Etiquette Night, Chengdu Entrepreneurial Meet-up.  g-MEO: Student Professional Development and Internship

Chinese Food

"I’ve also seen things that remind me of my childhood growing up in Peru that are so similar to Chengdu that I still do double takes. The fresh food available at local stalls makes me feel fantastic because they have the mini bananas and quail eggs that are both difficult to find and expensive in the U.S. which I grew up eating as a little girl." - Katherine Kurylko's study abroad experience
"Since I come from a European family the only spicy things that we eat that I could think of is horse-radish and beets and may-be ketchup or mustard. After a while of being surrounded by these spices and flavors I grew to enjoy the strong spices and flavors such as ginger  (which is included in a lot of their dishes). Their desserts definitely surprised me too, but now I can say my favorite dessert is the rose flavored Bing Feng." - Gabriela Klipo's study abroad experience
"We also got to eat hot pot with our Chinese buddies. Sichuan hot pot is part of Asian cuisine, famous for its spiciness." - Kathryn Calenberg-Laviola: Our First Week in Chengdu
                        
 

Chinese Culture

"Something I really appreciate about Chengdu, or China in itself, is the fact the every time I go outside I see children playing. This is not a common site to see back at home in America." - Janil Caba: Chinese Children At Play
"There is a lot of food throughout the whole entire day for everybody involved. From beginning to end, there is loud music (a whole marching band and fiddler group), lots of fireworks and a truck with an artillery cannon shooting off, random people joining in the festivities, and cameras (LOTS OF EM)." - Emmanuel: A Modern Day Chinese Wedding
"Two other ways to keep active in China include riding a bicycle and walking. Bicycles are both convenient for transportation and a great way to exercise. Since day one, I have realized that my Chinese people like to keep their two feet moving. In this country, you walk EVERYWHERE!" - Caitlin Gilmore: Staying Active in China
"When I first got here, the stares at my blonde hair were a little strange to me, but now I smile and sometimes even say hello to those staring because I can only imagine what it must be like to see someone with different colored hair if they have never seen it before. I have come to realize that they are just as curious about me as I am of them, and this only makes my experience more interesting." - Brittany Weatherbee: Getting Through Cultural Challenges
"As the Chinese primarily study and experience Western culture through films, music, and learning English, they were excited to see a group of 11 diverse students in the flesh. It was as if we were celebrities!" - Shaka: Experiencing China's Lantern Festival
"there is a sizable portion of Chinese minorities here in Chengdu. One of the more obviously represented in Chengdu is the Tibetan culture." Kyle Munson: Varying Chinese Cultures
"Overall I think it has been important for myself and other students to notice these differences but also realize that they don’t really mean much and don’t change the value of the person because there a million different realities for every person and none are essentially “right”." Shakerra Hooker: Subtle Differences Between Cultures

Life in Chengdu and Things To Do

"China reminds me a lot of the city that never sleeps (New York)...The g-MEO staff makes understanding the culture very easy with their advice, availability, knowledge and the trips they take you on." Quan Graham: Exploring the Chengdu Experience
"We began at the Jinsha Relic Museum to witness the excavation site of the sacrificial graves of Ancient China. This tour truly put things into perspective, reminding me that China’s history includes far more than was ever covered in my middle and high school history classes." - Tailor Dortona: Chengdu City Tour
"a place that illustrate calmness and exemplifies the outward-bound between the local people with the foreigners that come to visit. The Center has a lot of events planned out during the weekend so we are never actually bored...Normally I’m not a very out-going person...However, this place has opened me up with the friendliness people pour out and the adventures it entices." Qiqi Chen: Opening up to Chengdu
"One of the best parts of studying abroad is meeting so many interesting people, both Chinese natives and foreigners." Megan Crowley: Trips Around Chengdu
"the program has the best doctor in Chengdu (the Global Doctors Clinic and with HTH Insurance that covers all the expenses).  Also, the g-MEO main office has bottles of oxygen that are always available in case of emergencies, which has come to aid several times." - Maman Cisse: An Unchangeable Experience
"You may see pandas in the United States once in a while, but seeing a whole panda base was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen." David Mejia: In Recent Days
"It is also extremely convenient that the stop names are in English and that the announcements are in both languages. The Metro is extremely safe compared to the subway I’m used to." Soloman Crawford: Transportation in China

Beyond Chengdu

"...Kangding, a small city in the Tibetan Prefecture of the Sichuan province...Our 5-day trip turned out to be a culturally-rich and exciting one,...All the craziness made for a good growing experience" Megan Crowley: Travels to Kangding
"The way the train was set up, it was actually pretty easy to make friends compared to the standard train in the U.S with just seats." Shakeera Hooker: Trip to Xi'an
"Something I loved about Xi’an was the Muslim street, where you can find everything from food, clothes, and souvenirs. This place was full of lights, noise and very colorful. It was full of life! It reminded me a lot of street markets in Ecuador. Definitely, Xi’an was a splendid trip full of teachings and fun. Thanks, G-MEO for creating new memories for us." - Arianna Rivera: Bargaining and Discovering 3000-years of history in Xi’an
"4000 meters in the clouds, it gave the feeling of being vaulted into heaven in a way." - Stephanique Brown: My Experience in the Mountains of Juizhaigou

Internship Program

"I am grateful to be given this opportunity to work at DeHeng Law Offices because it has helped me grow as a person, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and discover what is my passion. Everyone in DeHeng Law Offices was friendly and they made me feel welcomed. I am delighted that I got to develop a close friendly relationship with my supervisor and my coworkers. I am also pleased to have befriended and become close with the interns that I worked with in the firm. I am excited to use my experience that I have gained in my future career." - Erica Leynes: My Internship in China
"All in all, both of my experiences at my internships have been great contributions to me. I have acquired great communication skills due to the nature of my work and I value that. Aside from this, I have become great friends with many of my counterparts; this is something that I also value. These are experiences that you will not be able to gain anywhere else. " Tyiarah Adewakun: My 2 Internships
"This internship has definitely taught me a lot; not only about Chinese law, but Chinese culture as well. Coming to China along with being a part of this internship has definitely increased my interest in international law and traveling the world." Nadia Joseph: My Internship
"Seven 40-minute classes a week and intermingling with over 300 Chinese students can drastically improve your Chinese Mandarin skills." - Alexis: Internship Joys