American Experience | 体验美国

My Graduate Studies Journey at the University of the Pacific

March 5, 2014 1:04 pm | By Jinrui (Crystal) Zhang

When I was an undergraduate in China, I was dreaming about attending a graduate school in California, U.S.A. because I love the sunshine in California and the charming and touching pictures sketched in Hollywood movies. When I was thinking about which university to go to, I got a pamphlet of the University of the Pacific (Pacific) by accident. Just at that moment, my heart was captured by the beautiful campus photos. As a girl obsessed with natural scenery, I fell in love with Pacific at first sight!

After passing English language tests and submitting all application materials needed, I received my graduate offer from Pacific before getting my bachelor’s degree as I wished. As a result of my firm belief in the non-negotiable role education plays in different facets of our society and of my father’s influence on me since my childhood (My father is a university professor in China), I chose to go to the Bernard School of Education.

The first time I stepped on the Pacific campus, the Gothic-style Burns Tower jumped into my sight. Later I came to know that the tower is a landmark building on campus. Upon on time alarm, some world famous melodies will come out of the tower. The sun is shining brightly over red bricks and through green trees, birds are chirping, and flowers are fragrant, all of which form a beautiful picture along with the musical pieces. I like strolling on campus- a big garden, passing by buildings that Hollywood movies filmed, or lying on the green lawn, looking up at the blue sky, counting the clouds, and chatting with classmates or friends about study and life. How delightful!

Besides the beautiful scenery on campus, Pacific has a strong academic atmosphere. The vast majority of Pacific students come from California, and some from other states in America. Thus, I can immerse myself in an authentic English learning environment. In my current graduate class, the professor-student ratio is 1:9, so each of us can get professors’ attention. Since I am the only Chinese student in class, I enjoy privileged care from American professors and classmates, who respect, understand and show great interest in my Chinese cultural background, which ensures that I feel safe in class. The teaching buildings are decorated with posters of seminars, scholarships and part-time jobs information. Each classroom is equipped with the most advanced multimedia devices. We are allowed to eat in class because professors know that we may not have time to eat before class. There is a sink, napkins and other cleaning equipment in each classroom. After class, I love working on my assignment in the library where I can use advanced electronic devices and read a collection of books. When I get tired, I will walk to the cafe at one corner of the library to order a cup of coffee and have some refreshments.

First arriving in the U.S., those who receive a brand new study and life mode will inevitably undergo “cultural shock”. I can still remember the first two months in the U.S. I held an attitude of love, curiosity and exploration towards everything around me. Entering the third month, I suddenly found myself culturally different from everything- the behavior, the language, the food, etc. here did not match my favor. In the subsequent three to four weeks, I felt physical and mental discomfort. A burst of unexplainable loneliness arose spontaneously, and then I began to miss my family and my life in China.

Thanks to some on-campus programs and activities that help me out of the “cultural shock” quickly. The “Peer Mentor Program” launched by International Programs and Services (IPS) of Pacific has a match plan- an American student and a Chinese student who has been living on campus for two years act as my mentors. They often call me to hang out and chat after class and show me around some nearby scenic spots in order to help me overcome the “cultural shock”. In addition, the “Peer Mentor Program” holds forums regularly, inviting international students from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico, Spain, Britain, etc. to get together and communicate our American study and life experiences. We discuss the “cultural diversity” and come up with different solutions to the “cultural shock”. Meanwhile, colorful club activities on campus enrich my life such as one-day trip to San Francisco, Cirque du Soleil’s performance, five-day trip to Las Vegas, Mexico Cruise, Dessert Night, Halloween ball, three-day trip to Disneyland, three-day trip to Yosemite National Park, Fall Camp, Horseback Riding, Kayak drifting and rock climbing. I should certainly mention the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA), the biggest Chinese group at Pacific. Every year, CSSA holds Mid-autumn Festival and National Day Party and the grand Spring Festival Party, which provide opportunities for Pacific Chinese students, professors, visiting scholars and the local Chinese group to get together, know each other, strengthen the bond and help each other, and for American students and other international students to touch upon Chinese culture and custom as well. Wandering in such a campus advocating multi-culture, equality and freedom, I am filled with happiness.

In my leisure time on campus, I love doing Yoga in the Fitness Center and watch free movies in the Theatre. On weekends, I, along with a couple of friends, usually go to nearby restaurants to taste food from various countries, go shopping in malls and Chinese supermarkets, and enjoy the scenery in Downtown.

I love the study and life at Pacitic a lot. It is my home in America, and I love it! I hope more Chinese students can join this big family!

uniofpacific
(I was giving a speech as President of CSSA-Pacific in 2013 Mid-Autumn Festival & National Day Lunch Party)

yosemite
(Yosemite National Park)