I am choosing to apply to study Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University for multiple reasons. First of all, I am aware of the fact that BLCU is one of China's top universities for studying languages; I would like to take advantage of this so that I can improve my Chinese language skills. Second, I am aware that the BLCU campus hosts many scholars and international students from around the world; I would like to be a part of this international environment so that I can meet people from different countries. Third, the Beijing Language and Culture University Press has published nearly all of the Chinese language learning materials that I have used in the past, and I would like to study at the university that appears to be the authority on teaching Chinese to foreigners.