I am grateful to have the experience of studying abroad. The benefits for me not only limit on gaining knowledge. Basically, you could even learn everything you want at home through internet. The most significant influence of studying abroad is acquired how to guide myself independent learning. I love digging in learning instead of chasing by mentor day and night. Exposing myself under foreign environment fosters a super Ling, I would never be panic like a baby when I encounter any problem in my rest of life. I can work like a horse at lab during the day, I could also dress up in the night with my friend to explore local culture.

I was fortunate to enroll in a dual bachelor’s degree program between Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) and Georgia State University (GSU). Undergraduate students are always wondering what to do in the future, so did I. Luckily, SWJTU and GSU undergraduate programs provides excellent opportunities for students like me to study abroad and experience more. At SWJTU, the university famous for engineering and mechanical, I gained a solid background of engineering and biotechnology. I was always the top student in bioengineering major, and was awarded National Scholarship twice (fall, 2017 and fall 2018) by Chinese Ministry of Education. Furthermore, during my time at GSU, I am able to put my Biology theory into action. I was accepted into Honors College, which allows me to obtain a University President Assistantship. The staff were immensely impressed with my passion for research and skillful lab techniques and enabled me to work in the lab as a student assistant. After training for a semester, I finally got the chance to handle an individual project Undergraduate Summer fellowship in the Molecular Basis of Disease (MBD) program and gave a poster presentation about my project in summer, 2019.

The past experience in college study equips me with strong self-management and self- organization so that I am able to work independently under pressure and respond efficiently in unexpected situations. Besides, the abilities of troubleshooting and problem solving give me a clear mind to understand cause and effect and find solutions. As a Ph.D. candidate, I am working on coronavirus and universal Influenza vaccines.

It was a fascinating adventure to study at two different universities and in two of the most influential countries. At SWJTU, I was able to learn from professors with study/teaching abroad experience. They shared not only knowledge in various areas but also their own learning experience in different countries. During my two years at GSU, I had the opportunity to engage in research and met many world-renowned scientists. From the four years of study, I find my passion for science and dedicate myself to pursuing the unknown.

Over the past four years, I have made hard efforts in the study of Biology and Computer Science. This has been a process of historical significance personally, in terms of, this process has also been one in which I grew into full maturity and self-confidence and in which I have made relentless struggles and achieved preliminary successes. Consequently, the past program made for a period of invaluable experience in my continued efforts to scale new heights of my study life.

I feel so glad that Biological Engineering, which I studied for the first two years at SWJTU, is jointly established with GSU because I got a chance not only to continue my biology study at GSU, but also to a fresh new combinative western education system, where I was fostered to be an inter-disciplinary man who owns cutting-edge perspective. Although there is still a long way to go in my academic pursuance, every time I step off my discomfort and frustration on the foreign land, I feel more courageous to keep forging ahead in the life path with persistence and perseverance.

I am pretty lucky to be one of many students jointly trained by SWJTU and GSU. Every faculty member here is amicable and helpful. The teaching in English has assisted me to practice and enhance my English competence. Every semester’s foreign professors have also brought us different educational ideas and the introduction to American daily life, which will benefit me to adapt to the future study in the US smoothly. I hold the firm belief that the broad global perspectives, solid English and professional skills will remarkably support me to achieve my life goals of learning better.

I am glad to share my reflection on studying aboard. Being one of the participants of the collaboration project between SWJTU and GSU brought me considerable benefits, including the erudite academic education and the perfect chance provided for me to experience life in a different country. Studying at GSU introduced me to the authentic American-Student life and the well-developed education system, which undoubtedly broadened my international horizon and equipped me for the future. I was motivated by the academic atmosphere and the advancement of technology during my undergraduate time, determining further study in the academic field.

The education I received from SWJTU was really helpful to my future studying abroad experience. While studying in the US, I have to be more self-regulated. I chose and decided the research direction I am eager to work on. I have to more actively talk to my advisor to advance my research. As for the classes, exams and quizzes are more frequent and difficult, which requires me to study hard throughout the semester. Besides, these experiences allow me to know people from all over the world an learn about their cultures.