Beijing Global Ambassadors
Name: Molly Linhorst '14
Hometown: Manlius, NY
Majors: Political Science and International Relations, with minors in Chinese Studies and Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises
Semester abroad: Fall 2012
What would you say to a student undecided about going abroad? SU Abroad programs are immersive, offering a valuable opportunity to understand another country. Having the opportunity to deeply understand and, ultimately, relate to a different way of life is a rather marketable skill. After studying abroad, students will have insight in to a completely different world, and can bring this new perspective to everything they do in the future.
Regarding Beijing in particular: I chose to study in Beijing so I would be out of my comfort zone. I encourage every students to experience being an outsider to the degree that I did - it provides a fresh perspective, constructively uncomfortable experienes, and the opportunity to fully embrace yourself for who you are (in fact, you have no choice.)
Contact: mklinhor@syr.edu
Name: Carla Lopez '13
Major: International Relations and Political Science
Semesters abroad: Istanbul Full 2011 and Beijing Fall 2012
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Meeting other international students and local Chinese students. Inhee, my Korean best friend and Cheng Cheng, my Chinese buddy, were two people that contributed to my wonderful experience abroad. The most valuable experience I had from meeting these two wonderful girls was that it doesn't matter what your physical appearances are, when humans connect, they connect regardless of background.
Contact: crlopez@syr.edu
Name: Alexandra Leogrande '13
Hometown: Auburn, NY
Major: Broadcast & Digital Journalism
Semesters abroad: Florence: Spring 2011, Beijing: Fall 2012
What was your favorite part of the Beijing program? The two-week seminar prior to the start of the semester is something I am extremely grateful for and something that I will never forget. It was one of the best experiences I had in China, and seeing all of the different cities - rural and urban - was amazing.
Contact: ajleogra@syr.edu
Name: Ngawang Thokmey '13
Major: International Relations, minor in Chinese Studies
Semester abroad: Fall 2012
What was your most valuable experience in Beijing? Studying with Chinese students. I learned to look at world events from a different angle. In the States, we might not pay much attention to the Eastern perspective, but it is valuable to international relations. Even thought we might not agree on certain situations, we can learn so much from their perspectives.
Contact: nthokmey@syr.edu
Name: Alyssa Hillman
Hometown: Chicago
Year: Senior
Major: Public Relations and Policy Studies
Best part of your study abroad experience? I taught English to migrant-worker teenagers, took Kung Fu lessons, and still had time to travel around China and meet Jackie Chan!
Contact: amhillma@syr.edu
Alyssa also contributed to a study abroad magazine project: her article can be viewed on pages 12-15 here.
Name: Cyndi Bee
Hometown: Chicago
Major: Accounting
Semester abroad: Spring 2012
Tell us about your abroad experience: Whether I was attending class with other international students, exploring Beijing, camping out on the Great Wall or traveling all over China I was always having a having a blast learning something new. Study abroad was a five-month long adventure I will never forget.
Contact: cbee@syr.edu
Name: Emerson Gale
Major: Philosophy and Political Science
Why choose Beijing? I decided to study abroad in China for six months in order to challenge myself with learning a whole new language, culture, and way of life. Not only did my chopstick skills vastly improve while in China, but I also found my Honors Program Capstone thesis topic. I studied challenges in high school education opportunities for the children of migrant workers in China. Discovering this interesting issue was the result of my willingness to volunteer as English teacher for migrant school children at a school in Beijing.
Contact: egale@syr.edu
You can also read the blog Emerson kept while he was in Beijing here: Emerson in China
Name: Jinny Cheung
Year: Senior
Major: Supply Chain Management with a minor in Chinese Studies
Semester abroad: Spring 2012
The best part about studying abroad? I had the chance to travel to 10 different Asian cities during my seven months abroad, with unique experiences in every city. However, some of my favorite memories were actually in the classroom- though 4 hours of language courses per day may sound grueling, I came out of the experience some great friends from all across the globe! Additionally, I extended my stay after completing the Beijing program and completed an internship in Shanghai, which gave me exposure to another amazing city of China. I had a great experience abroad in Beijing and Shanghai, and would love to chat with anyone who may have any questions!
Read her blog about her time in Beijing: Jinny in China
Contact: jcheun02@syr.edu
Name: Lizbeth Barrera
Tell us about SU Beijing: Going to China challenged me in every aspect, but it also helped me discover things about myself that I never thought possible. During the seminar I was able to meet great people, many of whom I am still close to today. Learning Chinese was a difficult but rewarding experience. I still use Chinese at my internship and even in New York.
I fell in love with the people, culture, country and a different part of the world. Now that I am back in the United States, my only wish is to return to Beijing and relive all those beautiful memories that I had. The friends and moments you have during your abroad experience are truly once in a lifetime and are incomparable to anything else.
Contact: lbarrera@syr.edu
Name: Nicolette Jiang
Hometown: Queens, NY
Major: Accounting
Semester abroad: Spring 2012
What was your favorite part about studying abroad? I was never bored while abroad because I met so many wonderful friends through student organizations and there were always things for me to get involved in every week. I was very close to many of the local Chinese students as they volunteered to show me around Beijing and told me where to find the most delicious foods!
Contact: nijiang@syr.edu
Name: Team Chen
Major: International Relations and Biology with a minor in Chinese Studies
What did you like best about your time abroad? How cheap everything was! Ten dollars in China would essentially last me two days, whereas it would only buy me one meal in the U.S!
Contact: twchen@syr.edu
If interested in becoming a Global Ambassador please complete the following form: Global Ambassador Application.