In the six months I have lived in Shanghai, my perceptions of the connected nature of global trade have completely changed. I meet people from different continents on an almost daily basis, interact with them and explore their perspectives and ideas on business, literature, and philosophy of life. Donghua University is a place where international students of a like mind come together to share ideas and create pathways toward a brighter future for themselves, Shanghai, China, and other countries all over the world. I am inspired by the goal of interacting in a global community and striving to become a competitive member of an emerging global market. With so much technology on the cutting edge, it is my dream to take part in the development and distribution of technology to the rest of the world. I see Donghua University as a place that can help me realize this dream by offering a chance to create a network of global citizens while still in school, learn Chinese language and culture, and participate in real life exercises such as immersion week in order to gain the experience to immediately become an effective member of the workforce upon graduation. I greatly admire the steps Donghua University has taken in the past to grow an international community of students, and know that the staff there will encourage innovation as well as creative thinking. Also, the quality of English taught programs here is excellent for me, as I am still learning basic Chinese. The ideals and philosophy of this school are in line with my own, and I believe that this synergy will not only benefit me, but benefit the entire Donghua University community by accepting me into its ranks.