On 5th August 2016, 20 CITCM students returned to London after participating in a two week scholarship programme held in Beijing and Harbin. Upon return, the students explained how their time in China had been an ‘amazing experience’.
Every year CITCM provides the opportunity for a group of lucky LSBU students to participate in this programme. Whilst in China, the students explore some of Beijing’s top cultural destinations including the Great Wall of China, the Temple of Heaven and the Silk Market. The students also spend a week attending intensive Mandarin lessons at Heilongjiang University for Chinese Medicine (HUCM) in Harbin. Their Mandarin classes are accompanied by tai chi lessons, interactions with Chinese students and a Chinese wellbeing short course.
Joan Mwangi Smith, a 2016 scholarship student, summarised her favourite parts of the trip; "my highlights included climbing the Great Wall of China, bargaining in the markets, interacting with locals and getting to know the students and staff at HUCM. I met and made amazing new friends!”
Besides being great fun, this experience provides the perfect opportunity for students to develop a unique set of skills that will be valuable as they pursue their careers. Caroline Agyemang, an LSBU law student, explained how she “gained a good understanding of Chinese culture and language which, as a law graduate, could help to open many doors within the legal field". Aaliya Ali also believes that this experience will help her as she starts to look for jobs; "participating in this trip will help to enhance my employability because it broadened my way of thinking, improved my communication skills and helped my confidence."
Overall the trip was a huge success and the students had a truly unforgettable experience.
For more information about the Summer in China Study Trip please click here.