I have a passion for travel and experiencing different cultures, which I share with my partner. We have decided to broaden our experience by spending a year in Shanghai, from August 2016. My partner is a English teacher and already has secured a full time job in Dulwich College Shanghai, which will provide us accommodation. In order to gain the fullest experience possible from my time in China I would like to spend my year learning Chinese, and immersing myself in the local culture in order to gain as rounded an understanding of the language as possible. For this reason, I have chosen to study the language in a university. Everyone I have spoken to who has experience of Shanghai and its universities has recommended Shanghai Jiao Tong University to me, and in carrying out my own research I have come to the same conclusion. I believe that the structure of the course best suits my learning needs, and I'm inspired by the rich history of the university within the city. Coupled with the beauty of the Xuhui campus and excellent learning facilities, I am certain that Shanghai Jiao Tong is where I want to spend my days. I am fully committed to learning Chinese to the best of my abilities during my time in Shanghai. I intend to continue learning the language when I return to the United Kingdom and hope to work in a job in which I can use the skill I have learnt.