The scholarship to China changed my life
Vanessa Monroy Castro shares her experience at the Renmin University of China's International Summer School, held from July 3rd to 21st, 2023.
By: Rodrigo Martínez
Photos: Vanessa Monroy
Beijing, China - August 31st. The scholarship for the Renmin University International Summer School offers training and enhancement opportunities in various areas of Chinese culture and the Mandarin language. It was held in Beijing, China, from July 3rd to 21st, 2023, organized by the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and Renmin University of China (RUC). Student Vanessa Monroy shares her experiences with the scholarship. Below is Vanessa's account:
MY RUC SUMMER CAMP 2023 EXPERIENCE
My experience at Renmin University in Beijing was incredible. The opportunity of this scholarship, provided by the Confucius Institute of the University of Costa Rica, changed my life, opening my mind to new possibilities and a different perspective of the world. Everything about this camp was simply perfect. I met people from all over the world (Switzerland, Russia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Italy, and many other countries), stepped out of my comfort zone, and being in China further piqued my interest in learning and improving my Mandarin.
Moving on to another topic of interest, the university and its facilities are noteworthy. They have their own dining halls and even a KFC inside the university! The teachers are very friendly, as are the students, and the dormitories are very comfortable. Personally, I stayed in a shared dormitory and interacted a lot more with people from the camp.
Regarding my cultural experience in Beijing, there is much to say. First, the food is delicious (I am picky with food, and Beijing did not disappoint), the public transportation is very good, and the people are extremely helpful. If you ever get lost, they try to help in any way they can. The weather is also a topic as it is summer, but personally, it wasn't as hot as I thought it would be, and everywhere you go, there is air conditioning. Lastly, China is a very safe country; as a woman, I felt safe walking alone at night in both tourist and more remote areas. China definitely won my heart, and I highly recommend this experience if one has the opportunity.
It is reminded that the Confucius Institute (IC-UCR) is a public institution formed by the University of Costa Rica, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), and the China Foundation for International Education (CIEF), in collaboration with Renmin University of China (RUC). Its main focuses are the dissemination of the Mandarin language and Chinese culture; in addition, social action is also a fundamental part of the Institute's work.
Contact for more information: Rodrigo Martínez
Communication Officer, Confucius Institute
Email: comunicacion.confucio@ucr.ac.cr
Website: http://institutoconfucio.ucr.ac.cr/
Phone: 2511-6870
