I’m Pepijn van Aken and I have been studying the Chinese language for five years now. I want to improve my Chinese because China is becoming one of the most important countries and economies of the world. My reasons to choose the Zhejiang University for my Semester Chinese Language Program are the following.

The Zhejiang University is ranked as one of China’s best university’s. The campuses are all beautifully located with old buildings and in a natural environment. My current Chinese teacher also strongly advised me to go to the Zhejiang University.

The way the Chinese Language Program is offered is another reason for me to choose the Zhejiang University. The classes are small, containing 15-20 students so you can ask questions and get personal attention from the professors. Students are placed in classes that suit them best by taking a test in this way you will learn the Chinese language better and faster. There are also elective courses offered such as Chinese Economy and History of China. I think it is very interesting to not only learn Mandarin but also to understand more about the Chinese culture.

The Zhejiang University is located in the city Hangzhou, which is a very lively and one of the most renowned cities in China. The city centre is lively with shops, temples, cafes and nightlife. And there are also beautiful natural scenes such as the famous West Lake.