Study Abroad Spotlight: Adam Noga
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Campus News
Name: Adam Noga
University: Beijing Foreign Studies University
Location: Beijing, China
Partner: IES Study Abroad
Reason for going
After visiting several major cities in China for a short time with the Sophomore International Experience, I knew that traveling back to Asia was a must, and the best way to so was probably through studying abroad. Even though China is a rather large country, I knew right away that Beijing was where I wanted to call home. Not only is it one of the largest and most populated cities in China, but Beijing is also home to thousands of years of history, notable tourist destinations and major up and coming global enterprises that largely affect the global economy.
Best experience or memory
One of my best experiences while studying abroad was a ten mile hike along the Great Wall. After driving three hours outside of Beijing I was dropped off at one of the well known guard towers of the Great Wall. After a six hour trek over grueling and history- ridden terrain, I arrived in a small rural village where I was told stories that had been passed down through generations regarding the Great Wall and the blood sweat and tears that went into building it. The next morning, I woke at 4 am, climbed to the tallest point of the Great Wall, and amazingly watched as the sun rose over hundreds of miles of the Great Wall of China.
How was the school different from Bryant University?
Although Beijing Foreign Studies' was hustling and bustling with around ten thousand Chinese college students, my classes were quite small, each one totaling ten or so international students. Because there was such a large language barrier, each of my classes was designed to accommodate English speaking students with classes being taught by Chinese-American professors. Although the international dorm in which I lived was quite luxurious, Chinese students who attended the school were limited to small dorm rooms which often housed up to eight students, small bathing houses outside of the dorms, as well as a cafeteria that was often very crowded with very limited food options.
How did this experience change you?
As you can imagine, spending four months in China is a real eye opener. I left the country with huge respect for the American culture and the amazing number of opportunities we are presented with even at such a young age. With almost twenty million people in Beijing alone, not a day went by without hearing or experiencing firsthand the struggles that Chinese citizens must go through on a daily basis. We may take it for granted, but the lifestyles and activities that we take part in on a daily basis can only be experienced in dreams by millions of much less fortunate people around the world.
Would you study abroad again given the opportunity?
Without a doubt I would absolutely study abroad again. In addition to meeting some amazing people and being exposed to a totally different culture, I walked away learning a lot about myself as well as some important personal values that I was unaware of before my journey.
University: Beijing Foreign Studies University
Location: Beijing, China
Partner: IES Study Abroad
Reason for going
After visiting several major cities in China for a short time with the Sophomore International Experience, I knew that traveling back to Asia was a must, and the best way to so was probably through studying abroad. Even though China is a rather large country, I knew right away that Beijing was where I wanted to call home. Not only is it one of the largest and most populated cities in China, but Beijing is also home to thousands of years of history, notable tourist destinations and major up and coming global enterprises that largely affect the global economy.
Best experience or memory
One of my best experiences while studying abroad was a ten mile hike along the Great Wall. After driving three hours outside of Beijing I was dropped off at one of the well known guard towers of the Great Wall. After a six hour trek over grueling and history- ridden terrain, I arrived in a small rural village where I was told stories that had been passed down through generations regarding the Great Wall and the blood sweat and tears that went into building it. The next morning, I woke at 4 am, climbed to the tallest point of the Great Wall, and amazingly watched as the sun rose over hundreds of miles of the Great Wall of China.
How was the school different from Bryant University?
Although Beijing Foreign Studies' was hustling and bustling with around ten thousand Chinese college students, my classes were quite small, each one totaling ten or so international students. Because there was such a large language barrier, each of my classes was designed to accommodate English speaking students with classes being taught by Chinese-American professors. Although the international dorm in which I lived was quite luxurious, Chinese students who attended the school were limited to small dorm rooms which often housed up to eight students, small bathing houses outside of the dorms, as well as a cafeteria that was often very crowded with very limited food options.
How did this experience change you?
As you can imagine, spending four months in China is a real eye opener. I left the country with huge respect for the American culture and the amazing number of opportunities we are presented with even at such a young age. With almost twenty million people in Beijing alone, not a day went by without hearing or experiencing firsthand the struggles that Chinese citizens must go through on a daily basis. We may take it for granted, but the lifestyles and activities that we take part in on a daily basis can only be experienced in dreams by millions of much less fortunate people around the world.
Would you study abroad again given the opportunity?
Without a doubt I would absolutely study abroad again. In addition to meeting some amazing people and being exposed to a totally different culture, I walked away learning a lot about myself as well as some important personal values that I was unaware of before my journey.
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