I am a finalist for a study abroad program in China...?

Question

I interview with the selection committee on Monday... Any advice on how to have a fabulous interview? I know some of the panel is part of the Asian studies department, but that's all I know...

Answer 1

I have a good idea of the situation. You are not a finalist; you never were. That's lesson number one: Chinese people (as well as China loving pandapetters) find honor in lies, especially when it gives them power. Play dumb; let them go on believing they have great power over your fate. Here's lesson number two: Chinese people believe they are superior (because they've had it so tough). Kiss up; say how grateful and honored you are to be in their presence as a "finalist"; tell them how fascinated you are about their culture, their people, their history, etc.
Don't forget to say "Nimen hao!" at the beginning and "Xie xie, nimen! Zai jian!" at the end; oh, and make sure you articulate it tonelessly and inaccurately. Appear excited and nervous throughout the "interview".
I'm not really joking.

Answer 2

Hey cate_sm!

Congratulations on being a finalist. I've never interviewed for a study abroad program, but I can offer some suggestions and guess what they might want to know.

First of all, be yourself and dress comfortably. Be aware that when you go oversees, you'll be representing your school and country. So choose clothes for the interview that you think would make the best impression in that regard.

Also, they'll probably want to know

-why you chose to study in China instead of other countries
-what you want to gain from your experience in China
-what you think would be the biggest challenges to you in adjusting to and in studying in China
-how you would grow personally from your experience
-what you might contribute to fellow students to help them to learn about the US
-how having studies in China would make you a better person when you come home and go into the workforce
-if you can learn to get along with people of other cultures
-if you can represent your school and US well

If you can answer these question, you'll have enough of a running head start to have a fabulous interview!

Good luck and have fun when you get to China!

Joe

Answer 3

And be sure to point out to the interviewers your knowledge about the Human Rights issues, specifically the soldiers killing innocent villiagers in Tibet, the Tiananmen Square massacres. I am sure they would appreciate your knowledge of the Chinese government and their policies. Wish you luck!