Goals for Fall 07

Some of your goals

Chinese Language

1. I will introduce myself to some basic Chinese phrases this summer before we leave for China.
2. I will use the phrases that I know when purchasing items, ordering food, or greeting other Chinese students.
3. I will learn as much as I can in our Chinese class and always keep in mind how much more I have the opportunity to learn since I am in China.

Knowledge of Chinese Culture/History

1. When I discover a new or different tradition, or idea that I have not been introduced to before, I will take the time to understand it.
2. I will let the natives teach me about themselves and their country by attending cultural events.
3. I will keep up with Chinese current events.   

Relationships

1. I will get to know students at Southwest University.
2. I will get to know the CSBSJU students that I am traveling with.
3. I will remember that everyone I meet has the potential to help me learn more about myself and the world.

Personal Growth

1. Even if I have a bad experience or a bad day, I will remember that it was something I should be thankful for because it was a new experience and I can learn from the bad experiences.
2. I will go to China with an open mind remembering that such a great nation is something to respect and to learn from.
3. I will not only look at the differences between myself and the people I meet, I will remember to look for things and ideas which we all care about and associate with.

Health

1. I will be conscious of my physical health and not try to over-exert myself.
2. I will work through any culture shock I might experience by talking with others and seeking an understanding of the Chinese culture.
3. I will be respectful of group members’ health issues.

Group Goal

1. I will share what I am learning with the rest of the group.
2. I will travel and attend events with group members.
3. I will look for the information that other group members can share with me.

Other Goals

1. I wish to give back to the Chinese community as a way of thanking them for allowing me this opportunity through service or teaching them about myself and my country.

• 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.
  1. I will buy an interactive language program for my computer so I can practice and train my mind to the sounds of the language
  2. Over the summer, I will have my friend from home who’s majoring in Chinese tutor me and assist me in learning the language
  3. Once I get to China, I will use what I have learned of the language and continue to improve my Chinese speaking and listening skills

• 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.
  1. I will purchase and read the books recommended to us during our last orientation meeting.
  2. I will do my own research to answer questions I may have regarding the trip or about the country in general.
  3. I will keep an open mind and take in as much as the Chinese culture as I can

• 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.
  1. I will get to know the other CSB/SJU students prior to going abroad
  2. I will meet as many Chinese people as possible by being actively involved while we’re over there
  3. I will open myself up to them so we can learn about each other and hopefully develop friendships

• 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.
  1. I will not spend all my spare time on a computer like I tend to do here.  I’m not bringing a computer, so I plan to devote most of my extra time to being outside and experience all China has to offer.
  2. I will respect the Chinese customs and won’t act like an “ugly American.”
  3. I will get used to the fact that not everything is always going to be scheduled and planned a head of time.  I understand that part of this experience is going to be learning how to fly by the seat of my pants and take whatever it throws at me.

• 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. 
  1. I will keep in contact with my family and close friends in order to keep me from getting too homesick
  2. I will keep an active lifestyle by exercising regularly and not going too nuts with the Chinese food (keep a balanced diet)
  3. I will take care of my body while over there (consistently take vitamins and other medication when needed) and I will not drink the water.

• 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.
  1. We will take the time to get to know each other
  2. We will have patience with one another if we start to wear on each other’s nerves
  3. We will do what we can to ensure that everyone is enjoying their study abroad experience!

Chinese Language:

1. I will put forth a substantial amount of time to learn the Mandarin language.
2. I will do all I can to communicate with as many people as possible to get better at the language.
3. I will stay focused even if I get frustrated trying to learn a new language.

Knowledge of Chinese culture/history:

1. I will study my class material and get a better understanding of the Chinese culture.
2. I will build relationships with Chinese students to get a better grasp of their heritage.
3. I will explore different parts of China to get different perspectives.

Relationships:

1. I will be open-minded to anything.
2. I will be myself and build positive relationships with my fellow SJU/CSB students as well as the Chinese students.
3. I will appreciate the differences of other people.

Personal Growth:

1. I will learn from the differences of the global world and relate it to myself.
2. I will develop myself as an individual.
3. I will reflect on my experiences and sit back and really take it in.

Health:

1. I will work out and enjoy physical activities such as basketball.
2. I will be mindful of the food I consume on the trip.
3. If I consume alcohol it will be in moderation.

Group Goal:

1. I will bring a positive mind set to the group at all times.
2. I will be very open-minded to experiencing anything.
3. I will respect everyone in the group and give them the courtesy they deserve.

Chinese Language:

1.      I will put in a reasonable amount of time to studying the mandarin language each day so I get better every day.

2.      I will study the mandarin language with group members as well as Chinese students.

3.      I will stay focused even if I become frustrated while studying the language.

Knowledge of Chinese Culture/History:

1.      I will interact with Chinese students to share experiences from our lives.

2.      I will not hold back questions that I have about the Chinese culture.

3.      I will study the Chinese culture/history before I leave for China in order to have a better understanding of it when I get there.

Relationships:

1.      I will keep an open mind and not judge anyone before I actually meet them.

2.      I will communicate with group members and Chinese people when given the opportunity which will result in more and stronger relationships.

3.      I will introduce friends to people that I have met in hope that they will do the same for me which will help me develop more relationships.

Personal Growth:

1.      I will keep an open mind to any and all of my China experiences.

2.      I will reflect on my experiences at days or weeks end in order to really take in what is going on.

3.      I will participate in mindfulness.

Health:

1.      I will play basketball (or any other sports or activities) with group members and Chinese students.

2.      I will not to drugs and if I drink alcohol it will be in moderation.

3.      I will do my best to eat a well balances diet.

Group Goal:

1.      I will be supportive of all my group members and I will respect their decisions.

2.      I will offer my opinions as well as cooperate with all group decisions.

3.      I will be open to do anything with any group members rather than just a select few.

1). Chinese Language

            I will immerse myself in the Chinese culture

            Try to use mandarin everyday

            Work everyday on mandarin with other students

2). Knowledge of Chinese culture

            I will keep an open mind the whole time that I am in China

            I will study the Chinese culture and try to learn as much as possible while I am there

            I will interact with the Chinese and visit the many historic sites

3). Relationships

            I will interact with the Chinese and be friendly and open minded when meeting new people and make friends with them.

            I will work to make new and lasting relationships with the CSB/SJU group

            I will take trips with our group to learn more about China and make friends with the Chinese

4). Personal Growth

            I will handle my stress in a responsible way and work to grow.

            I will reflect each day on what I have learned about myself and about others

            I will work hard to make sure that I take advantage of every opportunity that is given to me

5). Health

            I will be active everyday

            I will work out almost everyday to stay in shape for my swimming career

            I will not partake in activities that will harm my body

6). Group Goals

            I hope that we will all grow closer through this experience

            Not all of us know each other as of right now, but I hope to get to know everyone well and I hope everyone gets to know me well

            I hope that we will all have a safe and fun trip

Chinese Language: 

• 1.  I will attend class and be attentive during class.  I will also try hard and participate in class.
• 2.  I will practice Mandarin with the other students in the dorm rooms.
• 3.  I will practice Mandarin with the Chinese students around me among other Chinese people to increase my knowledge and use of the language.   

Knowledge of Chinese Culture/History:

• 1.  I will interact with the Chinese students to see how their culture is different from my own. 
• 2.  I will be attentive in my Chinese Culture class. 
• 3.  I will be open minded when I am in China and see how the Chinese culture is different from my own and both the strengths and weaknesses of my own culture as well as the Chinese culture.  

Relationships:

• 1.  I will take time to really focus on making relationships with the Chinese students.    
• 2.  I will have an open mind when making relationships with both people from CSB/SJU and the Chinese students. 
• 3.  I will look at people’s differences as their attributes and look at them with an open mind.    

Personal Growth:   

• 1.  I will be open minded about new experiences. 
• 2.  I need to realize that not everything is going to be good and that there are going to be stressful events, and I just need to have a positive outlet for stress. 
• 3.  I will be there for others if they need help and learn about people’s differences.     

Health: 

• 1.  I will take my daily medicines and stay on top of my disease. 
• 2.  I will find a positive outlet for stress. 
• 3.  I will be there for others. 

Group Goal: 

• 1.  I will be involved in group activities. 
• 2.  I will be there for others.  
• 3.  I will be respectful of others and their differences.

1.)    I plan to familiarize myself with basic Mandarin phrases (hello, goodbye, thank you and I’m sorry) and also some characters this summer.  I would really like to make friends with SWU students to practice my speaking.  I would like to travel at the trip’s end—this requires that I have a good ability to speak and interact with persons in Mandarin.

2.)    I have some materials on the important sites to see in China, I hope reviewing them before I go will give me a little background so that I can really appreciate them when we travel.  I would also really like to investigate Buddhism and speak with students who follow this religion.  Finally, I am very interested in observing the Chinese work ethic (especially among students).

3.)    I will be very open and positive with the students in my group.  I will also be very open to students from SWU and interested in forming relationships and understanding.  I will always resist making judgments on members of my group and also the Chinese people we encounter.

4.)    I will practice mindfulness in China so that I can be fully in-tune with my experiences.  I will be try to be patient and understanding in situations that are confusing and frustrating.  I will always look for the commonality among myself, the students I am traveling with, and the Chinese people we encounter—we are all more similar than we are different.

5.)    I will run when I am in China.  I will seek out nutritious food and take care of myself when I am feeling under the weather.  I will encourage walking, running, and biking among the students in our group as a way to explore, experience and stay healthy.

6.)    We should all be open and honest with one another.  We should take advantage of the opportunity to become great friends through this experience.  We should look out for one another.

Chinese Language

*I will work hard to learn this new language by attending all classes and doing all of the work outside of class.

*I will practice my Mandarin daily by talking with (or attempting to talk with) the Chinese people that I come into contact with.

*I will work with classmates (especially those who are experienced in Mandarin) to learn as much as I can about the language and about speaking the language.

Knowledge of Chinese Culture/History

*I will take part in all of the excursions and learn as much as I can while we travel.

*I will learn as much as I can through all of the classes that I will be taking including the ethnology class, Chinese art, and Chinese literature.

*I will take time daily to observe the Chinese way of life.  I will learn about what they do in their everyday lives.

Relationships

*I will work hard to get to know all of the students in our group.  I do not know any of them so this will force me to branch out and make new friends.

*I will try hard to see the differences between the Chinese students and myself as something that is positive and that I will gain a lot from.

*I will look for the similarities between the Chinese people and rather than the differences.

Personal Growth

*I will try to use meditation and other Chinese techniques to deal with problems that occur during the trip. 

*By observing and being surrounded by a new culture I will see my own life and culture in a totally different light.

*Rather than looking at the differences between the Chinese culture and the American culture I will focus on seeing the similarities.

Health

*I will workout daily by running to maintain a high level of physical health.

*I will encourage my group members to join me while working out whether that is through running or weightlifting.

*I will eat a healthy meal everyday as well as try as many different meals as possible.

Group Goal

*I will work hard to get to know each one of my group members and group leaders on a personal basis.

*I will talk with group members about our individual goals and do what I can to help them achieve their own.

*I will work through any problems that I may have with group members.