Connect with Former Fellows

Hi everyone! I’m Paris, and I studied in Beijing this past summer through the Light Fellowship at Tsinghua University. Having daily one-on-one classes devoted to improving my Chinese language was an amazing experience, and living in Beijing as a university student provided a myriad of additional opportunities to practice Chinese, whether it be ordering takeout, bargaining for souvenirs, or conversing with local Beijingers. I loved getting to meet other motivated students from across the world, having a snapshot of what living in Beijing would look like, and forming a deep impression of the culture that I will hold forever. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to talk!

Hi, I'm Tovah! I studied abroad in Taipei with CET during the summer of 2023 for intermediate to advanced Chinese. I learned a lot in a really great classroom environment, and got a chance to be in Taiwan, where some of my family is from. Please reach out about anything!

Hi! I'm Sophie and spent Summer 2023 studying abroad as part of CET Taiwan. I had the most incredible time exploring Taiwan and embracing the opportunity to try new things such as dance classes and even aerial yoga. I also really enjoyed my Chinese classes at the Chinese Language Division at NTU and the chance to delve into Taiwanese elections and history within this. I hope to return to Taiwan sometime soon!

Hi! My name is Alicia Gan, Berkeley class of 2026 :) I traveled to mainland China with CET Beijing, and had an incredible summer full of language learning, weekend excursions (some with CET, some independently— including Shanghai, Chengdu, and Suzhou), bike rides, hot pot, and family time (my parents are first generation immigrants from China). If you have any questions about CET Beijing, navigating China as a Chinese-American, or just want shopping recs, feel free to contact me!

嗨！I am Tim and I studied at CET Taiwan during the summer of 2022. I couldn't have asked for a better summer experience after my freshman year! I loved having all the time and resources to focus on improving my Chinese skills, both in a classroom and real life setting. I had the best time with my teacher and five classmates - we chatted about everything and anything over tea or dinner (in Chinese!). Speaking of, Taiwanese food brought me so much joy, as did the many trips to museums, beaches, and mountains I was lucky to go on. Always happy to chat about the program, do send a note!

Hello, lovely people! My name is Andy Tan—Davenport class of 2027—, and I studied abroad in Beijing, China, with CET Beijing. I was initially drawn to this program for its intensive curriculum, but upon my departure, I say my favorite experiences came from the activities I did and the people I met outside of the classroom. During my time in China, I visited many cities, including Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Taishan, Guangzhou, and Qingdao. From late-night city walks to learning dance choreography on the side of the street while having random conversations with food vendors, I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for Chinese culture. If you have questions about studying abroad as a first-generation student, as a Queer student, or about the experience in general, feel free to reach out! I can't wait to connect with you all!

Hi, I'm Bryant! I studied advanced Chinese in Beijing during summer 2024, and my two months were nothing short of transformative. Not only was I put on the fast track to fluency, but I also rethought so many pre-existing notions I had about Chinese society and culture, got to reconnect with family and friends all over the country, and had a blast exploring the corners and alleys of Beijing with my friends. Please reach out if you have any questions about studying abroad!

I study East Asia because of its unique combination of ancient tradition and dialogue with the West; experiencing the incredible history and diversity of Taiwan while living in the heart of Taipei put me at the nexus of Chinese, European Japanese, Southeast Asian, and American traditions. At ICLP, I studied the local Taiwanese language (on which each of these cultures has left it’s mark) and spent a ton of time hiking the country, Alishan to Yangmingshan to Taiwushan! What made my experience hiking in Taiwan special was learning the unique role mountains play in Taiwanese culture: they represent centers of Buddhist learning, separated the Hakka, Hokien, and Aboriginal ethnic groups, inspire debates between land rights interests and environmental groups, and are the site of many a ghost story! I can’t wait until I can return to explore more of Taiwan’s many historic trails.

Hi everybody! My name is Jonas, and I studied in Taiwan at the International Chinese Language Program in Summer 2024. While I was initially unsure if ICLP was the right choice for me, I am so glad that I took the jump and traveled to Taipei! I really enjoyed my host program, as the curriculum was intense but not overwhelming, the teachers were invested in our learning, and my classmates were all amazing people and super friendly. In my free time, I got to travel all over the island, make friends with the local Taiwanese, and eat as many Taiwanese delicacies as I could find. I highly recommend ICLP and Taiwan to any students who want to improve their Chinese proficiency (especially with regards to their speaking ability and reading traditional characters) or who just want to learn more about Taiwan and its unique blend of Chinese, Japanese, Western, and Indigenous elements. Please don't hesitate to reach out!

Hi everyone! I'm Sebastian, and I studied abroad in Taiwan at the Harvard Taipei Academy the summer of 2024. After reaching L5, I knew that I wanted to jumpstart my Chinese language skills, and studying abroad in Taiwan definitely helped me achieve that goal. I enjoyed the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture, discuss modern Taiwanese society with my teachers, and see the beautiful island. I look forward to visiting Taiwan again soon. Feel free to reach out with questions!