麻豆传媒映画

After two years, what may originally have seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime excursion for 麻豆传媒映画 journalism students is looking more like an annual tradition.

The again collaborated with the Communication University of Zhejiang (CUZ) in Hangzhou, China, to host a group of 麻豆传媒映画 students over spring break 鈥�26 for an intensive, faculty-led program. What started as a busy international trip quickly evolved into an experience defined by connections, cultural exchanges, and a deeper understanding of communications around the world. 

The journey began with a charter bus from San Diego to LAX, marking the start of a long day of travel that took them across time zones and into a completely new environment. After a connecting international flight, they landed in Shanghai, jet-lagged but quickly immersed in the city's energy.

Upon their arrival, the students explored the pathways of Yuyuan Garden, experienced the vibrant crowds and neon lights of Nanjing Road, and watched the illuminated skyline along the Bund, a historic waterfront promenade. After a night鈥檚 rest, the group set off the next morning for Hangzhou, home to the , where they would be accommodated for the remainder of their stay in China.

A local tour guide accompanied the group throughout their trip, providing historical context, translation services conversations, and helping students navigate  transportation and cultural nuances. Over time, her guidance evolved into a sense of community, adding comfort in an otherwise unfamiliar place.

Each day was filled from morning to night, with early wake-up calls and packed schedules in order to maximize their time abroad. The students participated in campus visits, explored cultural sites, and took part in city outings. They toured CUZ's 4K esports lab and media facilities, enjoyed the luscious landscapes of West Lake, wandered through the charming canals of Wuzhen Water Town, and walked along the glowing lantern paths of Xixi National Wetland Park.  

The cultural experience encouraged students to step outside their routines and embrace something entirely new. 

Temple Northup, director of the School of Journalism and Media Studies in the , explained  the program builds on the success of a similar trip offered in 2025 and is designed to be both accessible and immersive for students.

鈥淚t went really well last year 鈥� and so I decided this would be a great trip that we can try to take every year,鈥� Northup said.

Associate Professor Mei Zhong, who has been leading 麻豆传媒映画 student programs in China for years and specializes in intercultural communication, said the trip was 鈥榤any years in the making. I first contacted them about 12, 13 years ago 鈥� we鈥檝e been cultivating this relationship for all these years.鈥�

What set this experience apart for students wasn鈥檛 just the itinerary; it was the people. The relationships formed along the way with guides, fellow students, and locals made it feel more personal than a typical study abroad program.

Students were paired with and supported by CUZ students throughout the trip, creating meaningful connections that extended beyond the classroom or scheduled activities.

鈥淚 think that also really made it feel a lot more homey,鈥� third-year student Zoe Zarling said. 鈥淚f you're just going on a trip, you don't usually get to interact with that many people that truly live there 鈥� and I think that was a really special part of this trip.鈥�

Northup added that one of the goals of the program is to push students beyond the classroom and into real-world, cross-cultural experiences.

鈥淭he more life experiences you have 鈥� especially with different people and cultures, the better you are as communicators,鈥� Northup said.

Three cultures, one experience

Zhong emphasized that the program offered a rare opportunity for students to engage across multiple cultures at once. The connections made were further enriched by the participation of students from a French media school, fostering a three-way cultural exchange among American, Chinese, and French students.

鈥淚 feel that students got to experience that, not only with college students in China, but also from France. That's a rare opportunity,鈥� Zhong said.

That sense of community became especially clear during one of the program鈥檚 final group activities, which included a sharing session, according to Northup.

鈥淭here was that momen t鈥� where they鈥檙e just playing music, and you have Chinese students, French students, and U.S. students 鈥� it鈥檚 like literally three continents just hanging out and having fun together,鈥� Northup said. 

He said moments like that capture one of the program鈥檚 biggest takeaways.

鈥淚t just shows, you know, part of the goal is opening up. Especially for people who haven't traveled before, like this realization that people are actually way more alike and they are different,鈥� Northup said.

Beyond cultural exchange, the trip also exposed students to differences in global media and technology.

鈥淭he apps that they use are very different than ours,鈥� Zarling said. 鈥淭hey have WeChat and AliPay and all those other ones that we used that were so important to daily life that we don鈥檛 use here.鈥�

For Zarling, this newfound perspective is broadening her view of her future and potential career paths in a global industry. Zarling said the experience expanded her understanding of future career opportunities and global collaboration.

鈥淚 think it made me realize just how big the world is,鈥� Zarling said. 鈥淭here are so many options鈥� and so many people that you can work with around the world.鈥�

Zhong said that kind of realization is exactly what programs like this are designed to spark.

鈥淚 think at the very least it鈥檚 eye-opening,鈥� Zhong said. 鈥淭his is perhaps very different from what you imagined China to be.鈥�

Northup said he hopes to continue expanding the program in the coming years, with plans to extend future trips and explore additional destinations. 

(originally published in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.)