When I first started at UC Davis four years ago, I never even imagined I would study Chinese! It was definitely nowhere on my radar. Halfway through my freshman year, I was hired at a Mandarin-English bilingual preschool because of my prior experiences working with children. During my first year working there, I picked up a few key Chinese phrases, but overall I understood very little. After my roommate went to China with her dad on vacation, she and I decided to begin taking Chinese courses together and the rest is history! I have absolutely loved studying Chinese at UC Davis. It has been one of the most formative and memorable parts of my college career. While the classes are extremely difficult (especially for someone with no background in Asian languages!), the teachers, tutors, and fellow classmates are all very helpful. Since I graduated from UCD a month ago, I have already really begun to miss studying Chinese. I hope to find a place to continue speaking and studying Chinese, but even if I do, I am certain it will be nowhere near as well organized, productive, and fun as UCDs program. I would highly recommend everyone take the challenge and try to learn a foreign language (especially Chinese! ) during their time at Davis. Xie xie to all my Chinese teachers and friends!
Major: Human Development
Minor: Education
UC Davis Class of 2012