• "To end, my experience in China has been simply amazing. Not only have I learned a lot about the Chinese history and culture but I too have grown as an individual. This trip has opened up within me zeal to visit more countries and learn about other cultures around the world. In fact, I am considering pursuing an International Plan certificate from Georgia Tech." Azhar M., 2007

• "Reflecting on this trip as a whole, now, at the end, has shown me that I've grown more than I ever expected to. And, because I didn't expect anything in any regard, the trip has surpassed anything I could have ever imagined. To say that I'm glad I came is an understatement." Daniel Y., 2007

• "As one with a genuine interest in China, this trip has fully supported my idea of all that China has to offer. Not only was I able to enjoy every moment of my time here, but I also identified several interesting topics that I would like to study further and laid the way for future visits. The experience has truly been unlike any I have ever had in my life, and if I had the opportunity to do it all over again, I wouldn't change anything. It has truly been an enlightening two months, full of many exciting experiences which I shall never forget. I look forward to continuing my study and returning to China again." Graham F., 2007

• "I came to China this summer study abroad program with the intention of staying to live in China afterwards and I think it has made my experience much more meaningful. There have been times throughout the program when I asked myself can I stay here? Why am I in China? After several days however, those thoughts would soon subside and I would again be saying to myself I am so glad I decided to come to China ... I recommend that everyone experience other cultures particularly one as intricate as China's so they can broaden their world view and have an opportunity to reflect on their own culture." Mark S., 2007

2006 Shanghai Summer Program, notes from the students -

• "I spent this past summer on this program and I had the most amazing summer I think I will ever have. I got nine credit hours out of the way. I lived in one of the world's most populated and booming cities for two months. I visited neighboring cities/ provinces and Hong Kong. I hiked the same mountain Confucius did 2500 years ago and saw the most beautiful sunrise at the top. I was immersed in an entirely different language and culture." Alison S., 2006

• "I absolutely believe that the Shanghai Summer Program was a beneficial experience! In fact, it was probably one of the top 10 experiences of my life thus far. ... It's hard to narrow down all the benefits of the program to the two largest, but for me, I'd say #1 was getting to live in a culture that is drastically different than what I'm used to. The culture in Shanghai is so fantastically diverse, it opened me up to new ways to look at even the most mundane everyday tasks. #2 on my list would definitely be the food! The food in China is indescribably good. I have a completely different outlook on food upon returning home, as well as much higher standards! Other benefits of going to Shanghai were practicing Chinese, as well as making local friends. I'm really glad I went to Shanghai this past summer, and I'm currently looking into my options and ways to get back there this summer!" Blake I., 2006

• "Living abroad in China was an extraordinary experience. Shanghai proved to be the modern day dialectic of East meets West, culminating in a highly developed city populated by a society embedded with ancient cultural values. Although I was living in a land on the other side of the world, I had never felt so welcome." Cliff E., 2006

• "My experience in China has been anything but ordinary ... The discovery that an international experience, a time away from all comfort zones, can bring to an individual is invaluable and there can be no better substitute. Being in a program with other students, especially students from my own university, added to the experience." Tiffany C., 2006

• "There are so many aspects of Chinese culture that the Shanghai Summer Study Abroad has allowed me to explore. Through the process of assimilation to my surroundings within China, I feel I have a better respect for the ideas and beliefs that I did not understand ... From my experience in China, constantly questioning my own culture, my own beliefs, I too feel more aware of my own individuality." Callie R., 2006

• "The longer I stayed in China, the more I began to understand the meaning of the term "Chinese." Overall, I feel like I cannot put a price on my experience. Still, there is a lot left for me to learn. I only hope that some day soon I'll have the opportunity to return." James R., 2006

• "When I look back at my trip now, I am so glad that I made the effort to attend this unique experience in China. I have seen things with my own eyes that I have been seeing in postcards and movies for over twenty years. Words do not describe the feeling I had on the Great Wall ... The memories, pictures, experiences, and knowledge gained from my trip to Shanghai and China are truly priceless. I cannot wait to revisit China again soon, knowing what I know now." Alex R., 2006.

• "Although I did get to travel and I feel my experience in China would not be complete without it, I primarily enjoy settling down in a single place in China. It is then that I really feel I can settle down and truly take in all my surroundings. ... I really want to return to China again sometime and I hope I have the opportunity to do so in either a study or work capacity." David N., 2006

• "The most important thing that I gained from my time in China was the ability to adapt to a drastically different culture. I learned to do whatever was necessary to integrate myself ... In the end, I gained a lot more from China than a few good memories. I gained a different perspective." Daniel U., 2006

• "Studying abroad in Shanghai has given me an appreciation for a culture that I would have never gotten from a textbook. I feel extremely fortunate for all of my experiences here in China. Overall, I've learned to appreciate the differences that make each culture unique. I have learned a lot about the Chinese way of life, but in reality I've actually come to have a better appreciation for the way of life I know best, my own." Michelle B., 2006.

• "I think that the economic growth that China is experiencing combined with the continued increase in business that is being done between American and Chinese businesses will prove to make my trip to China extremely beneficial in the future. Although a lot of what I learned will affect my personal life and views, I also gained priceless experience about life in China which I will be able to apply in the future when I am dealing or interacting with Chinese people. I think that it is well worth the time and effort to travel all over the world and learn about different cultures, but I feel that the environment and setting that Georgia Tech's study abroad program created for me could not have been a better way for me to experience China for the first time." Trever Mc., 2006

• Mario in the historic Hongcun village on a weekend trip to Huangshan
• Atish in the calligraphy options class
• Joy and Carlanna with a flower-selling boy in Xi'an
• Jodi, Nathan, and Davis eating a shaved ice in the Chinese Megabite foodcourt
• Atul and the Chinese cooking class teacher
• Juan practicing Chinese Martial Arts
• Award ceremony
• Mimes
• July 4th Banquet
• Riding horse in inner-Mongolia
• At Mt. HuangShan - I
• At Mt. HuangShan - II
• At Mt. HuangShan - III (with other tourists)
• At TianAnMen Square
• At the Great Wall
• Best picture award: Chinese Chess. Caption: Chinese Chess is a popular game to play in the park on sunny warm afternoons. It's a great way to unwind from the hustle and bustle of daily life. All over China it is common to see men enjoying this popular Chinese game. The picture was taken in a small park right by SJTU. Photograph by Christopher Ryan, 4th year student, Mechanical Engineering.
• Best picture award: Inner Mongolia. The picture was taken by Atish Kalyan (4th year, Computer Science majored), as he and Atul, Neil were walking towards the plane that was leaving Inner Mongolia.

• "If it wasn't for such a successful program, I really don't think that I would be as driven to work so hard for an international job. I would have never dreamed of being able to actually go out of the country and be comfortable with it. You should see my family's reaction when I tell them about all that I've learned from going abroad and learning Chinese. They are amazed. I am so passionate about international business and relations that I have discovered an avenue that I would have never seen without the Shanghai program." Carlanna C., 2005.

• "When I stepped off the plane in Shanghai Pudong airport, I thought I knew quite a bit about China ... As one might expect, my idea of China has undergone a sharp change in the past two months ... Overall, this program has helped me clarify my misconceptions and cement my understanding of Chinese culture. I have a much deeper appreciation for all of the elements that make up China, and feel much more confident in my ability to interact with Chinese people in the future." Ann M., 2005.

• "The past nine weeks have been incredible. After going on weekend trips to different parts of the country and coming back to Shanghai, this city has become our home. In our daily lives we have come face-to-face with the Chinese culture, customs and people. I hope they have learned as much from us as we have from them." Atish K., 2005.

• "I have experienced and witnessed so much during my time in China. I hope that I will take with me the knowledge and wisdom that I have learned during my stay in China with me for the rest of my life ... I am very thankful for the new experiences and memories that I have obtained from my stay in China. I have gained a new respect for people outside of America and have opened my eyes to new possibilities of working and living abroad in this country. As I am sure I will be dealing with Chinese people later in my life, this experience has taught me how I can better relate to and understand where these people came from and what they have to look forward to." Greg Mc., 2005.

• "I'm very glad I took the time to come on this trip and I'm pleased with the experiences I've had. I've learned a lot about Chinese culture and life while I was here. It's given me the chance to get a feel for the way things are here and gain confidence about coming back to possibly live and work here in China. Also the perspectives and comparisons of the culture have given me a better idea of what it is to be American. I've also learned a lot about the actual Chinese culture and the history and why it is how it is ... this trip has enhanced my understanding and given me a broader outlook on life." Evan R., 2005.

• "My study abroad experience in Shanghai has left a lasting impression on me ... The material I have learned goes well beyond the content of text books. The appreciation I have acquired can only be taught by experiences ... China has created in me a change that will help me throughout my life." Neil P., 2005.