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Heide Bojalad '10 attended classes at Nanjing University and immersed herself in the Asian culture.

By Megan Z. Shearin '06

From visiting the Great Wall of China, pagodas and terracotta soldiers, to speaking Chinese at Nanjing University, junior Heide Bojalad's spring semester at Virginia Wesleyan was anything but ordinary. 

For five months, Bojalad studied and immersed herself in China's culture, through Wesleyan's Office of International and Intercultural Programs (OIP) affiliation agreement with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). Virginia Wesleyan's study abroad program offers short-term and long-term trips allowing students to conduct research, participate in community service and pursue internships. Along the way, our students meet new people, make new friends and see the world in a different way.

Bojalad, an International Studies major from Norfolk, Va., is half Filipino and has always had an interest in the Asian culture and language. Her study abroad experiences in China exposed her to many different aspects of the Asian culture, from authentic Chinese food to historical landmarks and classroom etiquette. 

Academics… Without the Textbooks

Bojalad's classroom experiences in China were entirely different from her classes at Virginia Wesleyan. Students in China do not use text books, every class is entirely lecture-based, and a majority of a student's grade depends on the final exam.

"My language professor refused to speak English in class, which was for the best in the long run," said Bojalad, who admits that learning to speak Chinese was embarrassing at times.

She remembers a class when her professor asked her where an absent classmate was. 

"My classmate bought a duckling that died two days later and had to bury the duck and couldn't come to class," explained Bojalad. "When speaking, I confused the word "duck" with "magazine" and explained that 'Last night, magazine die. Very cold bathroom kill magazine. Magazine dead and he's very sad.'"

Despite the humorous mishaps in class, Bojalad's professors assured her that her pronunciation was great. The university even asked her to give Spanish lessons to other students.

Food… It’s nothing like take-out

Bojalad realized that contrary to popular belief, authentic Chinese food is nothing like American Chinese take-out.

"Chinese street food, though prepared and served in conditions that would make any American health inspector faint, is far better than I expected," said Bojalad.

One of her favorite foods was baozi, or steamed buns filled with meat, but her absolute favorite was Muslim Chinese food. 

"It's an incredible blend of Chinese, Lebanese and Indian food," described Bojalad.

Although it was frustrating at times, Bojalad learned how to use chopsticks, which made her dining experiences much more enjoyable. And, her most memorable meal was in a restaurant in Shanghai, where photographs of Jackie Chan and all the times he had eaten there adorned the walls.

Seeing the Sites

Bojalad's first part of the trip was spent in Shanghai, before flying to Nanjing, where most of her time was spent. She also flew to Beijing and Xian. In Beijing she climbed the Great Wall of China and visited Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Pearl Market.  

In April, she visited Nanjing's Olympic Stadium, which was built for the single purpose of hosting China's selection process for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"The stadium currently serves no purpose at all," said Bojalad. "No one was there... No guard at the gates, no one to charge admission and nothing to be admitted to. It was beautiful, modern...and empty."

About the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS)

AIFS offers discounts, scholarships and further incentives for Virginia Wesleyan students to study abroad. Founded in 1964, AIFS is one of the oldest, largest and most respected cultural exchange organizations in the world. The program has helped more than one million participants reach their goals through international education and cultural exchange.

For more information on study abroad opportunities, contact the OIP office at 757.455.3279 or oip@vwc.edu.

Tia Butts '09 contributed to this story.

 

06.03.09