Goal for the Fall 2007 China Study Abroad Program in Beibei, China

• Chinese Language: I will learn Mandarin so that I can with the Chinese people around me.   I commit myself to increasing my use of Mandarin on a daily basis.  If I already have studied Mandarin, I commit myself to using and advancing my language skills each day.  I understand that competency and eventual fluency in Mandarin is an integral part of Asian Studies Minor/Major.
• Knowledge of Chinese Culture/History: I will become increasingly knowledgeable about how Chinese people's lives, history, and  perspectives are different from my own. I will work to see the strengths and weaknesses of both my own and Chinese culture.  I will seek to develop an understanding of the increasingly import role that China will play in the world and potentially my life.
• Relationships: I will work to build positive, supportive, and enduring relationships with the Chinese people and with members of the CSB/SJU  group. I will work to appreciate how differences among people and cultures can contribute to my own growth. I will try to understand differences rather than judge them.
• Personal Growth:  I will use my new experiences to grow in terms of recognizing my own personal emotional needs and style. I will develop skills for managing the stress of uncertainty and ambiguity without turning the frustrations outward toward others or inward toward myself. I will use the new experiences to become more respectful, accepting and tolerant of myself and others. I will strive to see the commonalities of diverse people in a way that develops my sense of being a global citizen.
• Health:  I will maintain a high level of physical, emotional, and nutritional health during the term. I will also work to promote health and healthy behavior among group members. 
• Group Goal:  We will all work to build a positive, supportive and cohesive group. This will result in a more positive experience for all participants and will maximize the opportunity to meet individual goals.