Academic Life: Cultural Activities
Yangtze International Study Abroad provides opportunities to learn both in and out of the classroom. Chinese language students can improve their skills daily by interacting with language partners at Nanjing Normal University, shopping and eating in Nanjing, and by completing special language exercises during the program excursions. In your other classes, each semester your professors will arrange for class field trips to places where lessons from the lectures can be experienced in a tangible way. Political Science students will learn from American diplomats at the U.S. Embassy and Consulate who negotiate some of the most important regional and national issues. Geography students will visit a local farm and discuss issues of economics, urbanization, and China’s environment which are up to the minute in relevance. Business students will visit multi-national corporations such as Trane, Ford Motor Company and Ericsson-Panda to learn about and discuss their expansion into China.
In previous semesters, YISA students have teamed up with Chinese students to participate in musical performances to mark the Chinese National Holidays. You don’t have to be a performer to take part in the exchange of culture. With text messaging on your cell phone, and passing around your I-pod, you will find yourself immersed in daily life with your new American and Chinese friends. Shared experiences like these can help you to build strong friendships lasting well beyond your semester in Nanjing.