East China Normal University

With students and teachers I spoke english but outside the campus I spoke chinese. In shanghai, it was difficult but in Beijing the people understand the Mandarin (Putonghua) more than Shanghai people. Because the dialect is different between chinese provinces.

For me, chinese was not a problem since I grew up with it as my second language. Although I wasn't too focused on my studies, my language abilities did significantly improve towards the end of my duration, mainly from the constant usage.

The beauty of the backstreets did not unveil itself to any of the other students that I was with. I personally did not affiliate with them at all...in doing so, a whole new world invited me in. I acquired language sponsors; backstreet restaurant owners who would pull me in off the streets, sit me down, put food in front of me, and make me listen to/speak with anywhere from 2-30 native Chinese speakers speaking nothing but Chinese and Shanghai-hua. It was a truly wonderous and unequivocal experience.

there were a lot of people that spoke english so it was easy to get around. i also picked up some chinese phrases that helped to get by.

I learnt a great deal, but now wish I had learnt even more.