A Blend of the Best
Name: Madeline Whistler
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Degree: Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS)
Tell us about your background, language learning process, and how you became interested in China.
Engaging with the Chinese language and culture has been an interest of mine for as long as I can remember. In fact, I started learning Chinese when I was in elementary school. Although my classes in the beginning were very basic, with simple dialogues and songs, they laid the groundwork for a devotion to the language and culture that has only grown since then. I continued language classes through middle and high school and into undergrad at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The summer before coming to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, I attended the Chinese School at Middlebury Language Schools. It had been a while since I had a formal language class, so the program helped me improve my confidence and gain the language level I wanted before coming to the HNC.Trust that the knowledge you have, your language level, and your passion about China will help you get here and thrive when you do.
Before coming to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, what were you doing?
I was working as a study abroad advisor. People at HNC are in various stages of their lives; some classmates come straight from undergrad, while others have several years or more of work experience. For me, working for a year before graduate school helped me solidify my career goals and feel confident about the program I picked.What made you choose the Hopkins-Nanjing Center?
If you want to go into U.S.-China relations, I think it is important to spend time in China – which helped me distinguish between this program and similar programs located in the U.S. I thought about enrolling in a Chinese university, but I like that the HNC has the support of two prestigious institutions and culminates in a degree accredited in both China and the US. I also thought about doing a language program, but I ultimately decided that I wanted to use the language as a means for study rather than only focusing on language acquisition. I think the ability to use Chinese in this way will really set us apart in the field.How have you found the social scene at HNC thus far? How do you feel about the community/making Chinese friends?
I can honestly say this is just about the neatest group of people I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of. Relationships here are made very quickly, in part because we are navigating an unfamiliar environment together and in part because of our shared affinity for studying China. It feels like we have skipped past the pleasantries and have gotten down to forming intentional relationships with one another. I am enjoying being in a place with so many smart people and I feel so lucky that I get to learn alongside them.What is your rose, bud, and thorn about the program?
The bud is something you are excited for in the future, the rose is something you are enjoying now, and the thorn is a challenge you have experienced.My bud – I am so excited to soak up every piece of knowledge I can while I am here and see how much my Chinese skills improve!
My rose – I have wanted to live in China for as long as I can remember, so I have taken a lot of time to just sit and think about how lucky I am to finally be here. I just can’t believe I get to meet so many amazing people and be a part of this incredible program.
My thorn – There are a lot of administrative things that need to be done when you move to a new country, and while we have great support here, things like applying for residence permits and opening bank accounts can get tedious.
How was your experience adjusting to the Chinese course work? Do you have any tips for future students?
Classes are definitely a challenge, but I am leaning into the difficulty of it, asking questions when I need help, and spending plenty of time in the library.
What has been one of your favorite experiences at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center so far?
Early on, one of the professors organized a trip up Purple Mountain in Nanjing. It was a challenging hike, but it was a lot of fun to bond over that with other students! After that, I went with a small group to see the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, a neat historical site nearby. It was a really fun day!What do you plan on pursuing after graduation?
I plan to work as a consultant or analyst in U.S.-China relations with the goal of contributing to a deeper understanding of the dynamics between the two countries. I look forward to applying my firsthand experience in China, as this knowledge is becoming increasingly valuable with fewer people able to gain direct exposure to the country.If you could give one piece of advice to future HNC students, what would that be?
People come here expecting a U.S. institution that has been implanted in the center of Nanjing, but it is important to know that the program is run almost entirely in Mandarin. Because of the unique relationship SAIS has with Nanjing University, the program is a blend of the best of both education systems. We have an amazing opportunity to experience this, but that does mean that it may take some adjusting. If you come here with a sense of flexibility and adventure, and a sincere willingness to learn, you will be greeted with an absolutely wonderful experience.Trust in yourself! Trust that the knowledge you have, your language level, and your passion about China will help you get here and thrive when you do.
If you are looking to learn more about what it's like to be a current student at Johns Hopkins SAIS, we encourage you to schedule a virtual appointment with one of our Admissions Fellows.
Enjoyed reading Madeline's experience? Learn more about our Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS).
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