Dear BBAs
Thanks to one of our BBA students, Su Hao, who essentially has helped to link us to the network below.
About the Penn-China Exchange Network
What is it?
• Purpose: The Penn-China Exchange Network seeks to enhance the foreign language skills and cultural awareness between students in the U.S. and Chinese-speaking nations. We believe that personalized, written exchanges provide meaningful opportunities to practice a foreign language, improve fluency, and gain a new perspective on a different culture. • Structure: Members post messages on a variety of topics in a specially-designed online BBS forum. In addition, they are also paired with a writing partner from another country. With language improvement in mind, native English speakers should write as much as possible in Chinese, and vice versa for native Chinese speakers. Writing partners will revise each other’s posts, giving helpful tips for areas of improvement, and unique cultural insights. • Members: The network includes students from the UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, PEKING UNIVERSITY, and NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE.
Why join?
• Meet new people. Network with our Network. Our program puts you in touch with real Chinese students, without a plane ticket. By joining, your contacts don’t stop where Penn ends, but span across the globe. And as your contacts expand, so will your worldview. • Improve your foreign language. Now, you can talk the talk. Our exchange network gives you what the textbook won’t—a native speaker’s advice on your Chinese. Practice makes perfect. That’s why our network encourages plenty of it. Through regular correspondence with your writing partner, you’ll receive personalized suggestions on how to improve your Chinese, including insights on grammar, fluency, and colloquialisms. You’ll help them too, by sharing your English expertise with your writing partner. • Understand China. China’s culture, history, and people have seen great change and development over four thousand years. Luckily, you won’t need quite that long with our Network. Writing partners will do more than correct grammar and punctuation. They’ll discuss history, art, economics, pop culture, music, television shows, and more, giving you unprecedented insights into a culture of great richness. Where else at Penn will you find this opportunity?
How can I join?
• Complete a Personality Questionnaire, so that we can pair you with an appropriate writing partner. Please email the completed questionnaire to penn.china@gmail.com. • You are considered a registered participant once the questionnaire is received. We will pair you with an international buddy within the Network and you will receive further instructions on how to access and use the BBS forum.
Please look through our other information sheets for more details, or contact us at penn.china@gmail.com. We eagerly await your participation. Join now!
The PCSC Exchange Network Team