Studying abroad 7,000 miles across the globe, some students find themselves; others fall in love with more than a different country.
Since Fall 2008, nearly 100 hospitality management students have taken advantage of the opportunity to study in China for one or more semesters at the Marriott Tianjin China Program, FIU’s largest overseas program.
While the academic experience is a big part of their venture, for many of them the experiences outside the classroom have made the most palpable impact. Many left their comfort zones for the first time. Others were surprised, impressed by the people, the culture, the cities, but most agree it was a life-changing experience. Here, four of them talk about experiences outside the classroom, in a new series we call In Their Own Words from China.
Gigiana Fraind
Gigiana Fraind, B.S. ’13, who studied in China in 2012, discovered her inner strength for the first time.
“This was probably the first time I have ever been put to the test — the test of life! On this particular day, four of the other students from FIU and I took a bullet train to Beijing, which is about three hours from Tianjin. Our Chinese friends had written the names of hotels and the connecting trains in Mandarin on a sheet of paper to help us find our way. Aside from the language barriers, the train station was pretty friendly, and we managed to get the train tickets in our hands. No such luck with taxis. Once off the train, we couldn’t get a taxi if our lives depended on it. We had to walk to our hotel, after many stops asking random strangers for directions.
“This experience taught me a lot! I was so used to using Google Maps or calling my mom. I wasn’t used to having to really pay attention to my surroundings before.
“From that moment on, I learned not to depend on anyone else to get me from point A to point B. This simple experience taught me that I was in charge of what was happening in my life and I’ve applied this lesson to all of my traveling, even when I’m in my hometown.
“This experience is now my foundation. I met some of the most amazing people. I traveled to Hong Kong, Datong, Beijing, Macau, and backpacked through Thailand for a week. I learned that knowledge is power.”
Stephanie Ramos
Stephanie Ramos, B.S. ’13, studied in China in 2012 and 2013. She thought she knew what to expect when she set on her quest to discover a new culture, but never imagined her fellow classmates would make the greatest impact on her.
“The way Chinese students welcomed me and made me feel at home was the most impacting experience for me. No one in the United States had ever gone out of his or her way to this extreme of selflessness and helpfulness.
“The Chinese students made sure that I always had everything that I needed. They showed me a whole new world. They invited me to their homes for family dinners, Chinese New Year festivities, and birthday celebrations. Everything was totally different and amazing. I will forever be grateful to them.
“My experience in China made an outstanding impact on my resume and I had something I never had before: choices! I had offers from global hotel groups like Intercontinental, Hilton, and Marriott.
“Little did I know that I was going to fall in love with the country and stay an extra semester after receiving a second scholarship. Never in a million years did it cross my mind that so many doors would open for me back in the U.S.”
Sebastian Garcia
Sebastian Garcia, B.S. ’10, was among the first students at FIU to study in China in 2008. Although Sebastian was well traveled in Europe, Canada, and around the United States, he was profoundly impacted by the culture, history, and the Great Wall of China. He vividly remembers his walk down the Olympic Village in Beijing, and is particularly proud of his visit to Shanghai during the Golden Week Holiday.
“Shanghai is one of the most vibrant cities that I have ever visited in regards to its culture, night life, and business ventures,” he said.
Shane Gray
For Shane Gray, B.S. ’09, the study abroad program in China was a twist of fate.
“Yanan was one of my classmates at FIU TUC, and we used to study in a group together. One day I asked the group if they would join me for dinner after the study session. Most of the group wanted to go to a different restaurant. Yanan was the only one who accepted, and we went for dumplings. This was the beginning of our strong friendship. A few weeks later, I asked her to play a Chinese game and some of our friends started giggling. Yanan’s best friend, Wang Xiao, whispered that Yanan wanted to go on a date with me. I later found out that this was not true, but I asked Yanan right there in front of the group to come on a date with me. She accepted and we went on a long walk around campus.
“At one point during our walk, while discussing all kinds of topics, something happened to me. God spoke to me and I knew at that very moment that Yanan would be the one for me. I shared my feelings with her as soon as we got back to our dormitory and asked her to be my girlfriend.
“During Yanan’s first visit to the United States, and after asking her parents for permission (not really a customary thing to do in China, using Wang Xiao as a translator via Skype), I proposed to her at the base of Snoqualmie Falls, in Snoqualmie, Washington. After two and a half years of long-distance dating, Yanan and I got married.
“We were married both in China and in Seattle, Washington and both, in the traditional Chinese style and in a Christian Church.”
The Marriott Tianjin China Program
The Marriott Tianjin China Program is a collaboration between Florida International University and Tianjin University of Commerce (TUC). Students who choose to participate complete a full semester at the FIU program located on the campus of TUC in Tianjin, the sixth largest city in China and the seaport for the capital, Beijing.
This opportunity is available to all FIU students. Transfer students are encouraged to complete their first year in China, then return to Miami for their senior year.
