Far East Expo

by Samantha Williams

Studying abroad in Shanghai, China, during the fall semester of my sophomore year at Drake was one of the best experiences of my life. Because of that, I always knew I wanted to return to China to learn even more about the fascinating country—that’s why I decided to apply for the Teach in China program through Drake upon graduation. The Teach in China program places recent graduates at universities and middle schools it has relationships with throughout China. Upon admittance into the program, I learned I would teach English for a year at the Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL) in Chongqing, China.

After living in Chongqing for roughly two months, I saw elements of my various goals for participating in the program come to life. My goals for engaging in this type of postgraduate program included improving my Mandarin language skills, networking with people from all over the world, enhancing my overall knowledge of business in China, and exploring the unique attributes Asia has to offer. Having studied International Business and Marketing at Drake, I feel these goals have helped me succeed in my career.

Without a doubt, the biggest reason why I wanted to return to China was to improve my Chinese language capabilities. I believe that learning a language is much more effective when you are immersed in that language’s culture and have to use it daily. By practicing my spoken Chinese daily with Chinese friends, shop owners, taxi drivers, etc., and taking formal classes through SWUPL (free for me as a teacher), I feel my language skills improved immensely. With China being such a big player in the global arena, I think it is essential to know at least some of the language as an international businessperson.

Chongqing is home to over 37 million people, including a large expat community. From attending different events throughout the city, I connected with professionals from China, Germany, France, Russia, England, and Australia, to name a few. Living in Chongqing for a year was an excellent opportunity to expand my network. Not only did I meet people, but I was able to learn more about Chinese business from them (as well as from my students). Understanding how business operates in China and the steps necessary to form a partnership in China is a hefty asset in the business world.

Another major reason I returned to China was to continue exploring the world and fulfill my greatest passion—traveling and discovering different cultures. Travel is invaluable and has made me the person I am today. Not only do you get to see some amazing places (such as Jiuzhai Valley National Park), but you also learn more about the culture and yourself and grow as a person along the way. I think travel has made me a more independent, open-minded, understanding, and versatile human being. I also had adventures in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand during my time in China.

Teaching English in China for a year proved to be the right decision for me and my future. If you are interested in following my adventures, please visit fareastexpo.wordpress.com.