NEWS & EVENTS

Initially, this study abroad experience was meant for traveling and growth as a person of my own volition. As soon as I arrived in China, I started fulfilling these goals. It wasn’t until coming to China that I began to write my own journals to remember the time I spent here and reflect. This form of self-reflection was quite encouraging in allowing myself to make way for change and growth. Even though I came to China without much knowledge of both its language and culture, I hoped to erase the ignorance within myself and learn even more about the 5000-year-old Chinese culture.

In partnership with Le Moyne College, TBC’s short-term programs division hosted a successful 3-week online + in-class Finance Course this past January in Beijing. The course, Modern Security Analysis – FIN 467 instructed by Fernando Diz, Ph.D, taught students about value investing, business valuation, corporate finance, security analysis, and how to develop a successful investing approach. Included in the course were business site visits and cultural trips. Special thanks to Deloitte and MiCai for hosting this year’s group! If you’re interested in learning more about the program, click here.

Prior to Spring 2018’s arrival, TBC upgraded its classrooms with new smart interactive white boards. See the before and after photos below.

Not many people are born having a best friend and soulmate, but I was. Everything I do in my life, I always think about how I always have someone to count on and someone to do anything I want with. Whether I am in school, traveling, having a meal, or just sitting at home reading or watching tv, I always have the option of being alone or having company, a choice not many people have many times. Being in a foreign country is already scary and unpredictable, to begin with, but being alone without knowing anyone, makes it that much harder. Fortunately, my experience is never as scary and hard as many others’ because I have my sister, Verica.

A couple weeks ago, The Beijing Center worked with its host university, the University of International Business and Economics, to give us the opportunity to volunteer teach first year students about culture shock – giving these students a free, supplementary class to help them practice their English listening and speaking with native speakers. Without giving it much thought I took it, along with two students in my cohort. I signed up thinking about how I could transmit my own experience with culture shock in a way that students from the culture I’m still learning about could understand.

A group of 12 administrators and study abroad advisors from TBC partner universities in the U.S. and Colombia made the trip to Beijing for a one-week visit. With lectures, discussions, and cultural and internship site visits arranged by TBC’s ChinaContact, the participants were able to learn more about TBC and life in China. They also were able to interact directly with their university’s students currently here.

On November 16, 2017, TBC students hosted a Chinese Roommate Appreciation Day to show our thanks to our wonderful roomies! Each semester TBC students have the opportunity to room with local Chinese students who are amazing because they dedicate so much time and energy into making us feel welcome and with helping us transition, get around, and adapt during our time in China. Chinese Roommate Appreciation Day is a way for TBC students to acknowledge their effort and the crucial role Chinese roommates play in creating a unique experience for students at TBC.

Shanghai is already a magical city all on its own. But this weekend at Shanghai Disney felt like an out-of-body experience. I felt like it was someone else experiencing this trip, not me. My two days spent exploring Disney and Shanghai have been exceptionally memorable. Especially since, everything was so well planned, as soon as my 7 friends and I got to Shanghai at 9 am on Friday morning, the fun began. We made our way from the airport to our Airbnb (143 kuai per person), and by 10 am we were standing in front a luxurious gated building that was just as nice on the inside as it was on the outside. As soon as we settled in our apartment, we made our way to People’s Square – the beginning of our exploration around Shanghai.

Last Wednesday, three of our students who intern at the US Embassy Commercial Service, Vivian K. (University of San Francisco), Jamie C. (Fairfield University), and Reed P. (Boston College), took part in the Welcome Reception hosted by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross’ in honor of the 2017 U.S. CEO Delegation to China. The students helped coordinate the guest lists and helped register guests during the event. They had the chance to learn from the experience of assisting a high-level trade delegation and interacting with U.S. and Chinese senior government officials, CEOs of U.S. and Chinese companies and trade associations. Not only that, but they had the opportunity to network with officials at the Embassy and CEOs.

Jesuit education is all about giving back, and The Beijing Center is no exception. A few weeks ago, a few of my classmates and I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at a school run by Migrant Children’s Foundation, in a less touristy neighborhood in Beijing.