Honors Student jackson Peven is Currently Studying in China Through the Boren Scholarship

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Hello! My name is Jackson Peven and I am currently a Junior at WSU double majoring in Chinese and Computer Science. Due to the help I received though the Honors College, Distinguished Scholarship Department, and Chinese Department, I have been given the opportunity to spend my junior year, the 2015-16 school year, living and studying in Harbin, China.

CET Harbin, the program in which I am enrolled, is considered one of the most rigorous in the country and is a highly recommended program by the Chinese professors at WSU. The program consists of 20 credit hours a week of classes all less than five people, which assists in a personalized education environment.
CET Harbin also involves a language pledge; students are forbidden from speaking English for the duration of the program. Though challenging, I felt prepared for these difficulties from what I learned in Chinese classes while at WSU. The language pledge and intensive course work have helped improved my Chinese more than I initially anticipated. Living in China has provided a unique cultural experience.

During a time of economic and social change in China, I have specifically experienced the reforming of the iconic “One Child Policy.” Living in a foreign country for the year presented me with opportunities I never imagined possible and I am extremely grateful for all the help and encouragement I received from the wonderful staff at WSU.