To start off, my goal is to improve my Chinese. Although I studied Chinese at school a decade ago as a second language, I have not continued to maintain my standard of Chinese by reading and writing regularly and have forgotten a lot of vocabulary and proverbs. In addition, having lived in Hong Kong for a number of years, I fear that I am starting to use Cantonese terms and expressions when speaking mandarin or writing Chinese without knowing it. I therefore want to improve my Chinese and my understanding of Chinese history and culture through immersing myself in a Chinese (and Mandarin-speaking) environment.

I choose Zhejiang University's language course because it is located in Hangzhou, one of my favourite Chinese cities. Hangzhou is the city that has inspired many Chinese poets and I believe its rich heritage and culture will be conducive to bettering my Chinese. In addition, Zhejiang University offers Chinese language classes at different levels, which will cater to my level of Chinese, as well as extra-curricular electives on language and culture. To top it off, the campus is a stone's throw from the beautiful West Lake. I believe the relaxed and cultured atmosphere of Hangzhou makes it an ideal environment for making friends and practising Chinese with the locals.