Summer Language Program – Savitri Restrepo’16 in Beijing

Savitri Restrepo’16 majors in International Relations – Political Science and minors in Chinese Language & Culture. She studied in Beijing for 2 months in 2013 with the CET Program (Beijing Chinese Language Program), an immersive Chinese language study program hosted by the Beijing Institution of Education. Savitri received support from the Mayling Soong Summer Scholarship.

(The original feedback might be edited for length and clarity.)

I chose to go to this summer program not only because I wanted to complete the “300-level courses” distribution requirement during the summer, but also, most importantly, because I wanted to have the opportunity to fully immerse in the Chinese culture and apply my knowledge of the language “outside of the classroom” in an ordinary context.

I believe that this was the perfect program for me. Right from the beginning, I wanted to challenge myself academically while also being able to enjoy my summer and explore the amazing capital of China. My program was an intensive language course that covered at least one year of Chinese in a few months. My progress was noticeable even after a few weeks thanks to the strict language pledge, our weekly outings, and most importantly, my Chinese roommate.

Having a Chinese roommate was perhaps one of the most significant experiences of the program, since I had the opportunity to share my stories and experiences with her. She, too, agreed to abide by the full time language pledge. I even had the opportunity to meet her family and friends, which was a unique way to truly understand the culture and discover the most authentic places in Beijing.