Siena’s neighborhoods, known as contrade (singular: contrada), compete in these races and spend the entire year preparing for them. The contrade are at the heart of Sienese culture. These close-knit communities play a major role in local identity. Think of them as a blend of neighborhood pride and hometown sports loyalty. If you ask a local where they’re from, they may tell you the name of their contrada before mentioning Siena or even Italy. 

As one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Siena offers visitors a chance to step back in time. The Palio is one of the most exciting ways to experience the city’s traditions firsthand. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or studying abroad in Siena, witnessing the Palio is an unforgettable experience. 

Siena Doesn’t Just Host the Palio—It Lives It 

The Palio isn’t simply a festival that happens in Siena. It’s woven into everyday life. The city’s 17 contrade each have their own history, symbols, traditions, museums, and fierce sense of pride. Throughout the year, you’ll see contrada flags hanging from buildings, locals gathering for community dinners, and celebrations that honor centuries-old traditions. 

As race day approaches, the entire city transforms. Streets fill with colorful banners, drummers and flag throwers rehearse for the historic parade, and conversations everywhere center around rivalries, predictions, and race strategy. Even if you’re only studying abroad in Siena for a few weeks, it’s impossible not to get caught up in excitement. 

One CET Siena student reflected on the city’s enthusiasm: “My 9 a.m. class was cancelled that morning because my professor wanted to watch, so we were able to watch from the Piazza.” Want a closer look? Read about what a week during the Palio is like. 

Palio Vocabulary to Know 

Contrada  – A neighborhood of Siena. Each contrada has its own traditions, symbols, and community identity. 

Piazza del Campo – The main public square in Siena’s historic center and the location of the Palio race. 

Corteo Storico – The historic parade that takes place before the race, featuring participants in medieval costumes who celebrate Siena’s heritage. 

Fantino – The jockey who rides in the race, often bareback and sometimes representing different contrade from year to year. 

Barbero – The term for the racehorse that runs in the Palio.  

Cavallo Scosso – A horse without a jockey. Sometimes a jockey falls off their horse during the race. A riderless horse can still win the Palio! 

Canapo – The rope that marks the starting line of the race. 

Mossa – The official start to the race. 

Drappellone – A hand-painted silk banner awarded to the winning contrada. A different artist designs the banner for each race. 

What Is the Palio Like on Race Day? 

Morning: The city begins filling with spectators. Locals dressed in their contrada colors gather throughout Siena while visitors make their way to Piazza del Campo to secure a viewing spot. Cafés and streets buzz with predictions and excitement. 

Afternoon: The Corteo Storico, Siena’s historic parade, winds through the city. Lasting around two to three hours, the procession features hundreds of participants in Renaissance-era costumes. 

Evening: The race begins. Despite all the anticipation, the Palio itself typically lasts only 75 to 90 seconds. Horses race three laps around Piazza del Campo, covering roughly 1,000 meters (about 0.6 miles). It may be one of the shortest sporting events in the world, but it represents centuries of history and months of preparation. 

Night: Celebrations continue throughout Siena as the winning contrada gathers to celebrate its victory long into the evening. 

Tips for Attending the Palio 

• Wear Comfortable Shoes – Siena’s historic center is filled with steep hills, uneven stone streets, and cobblestones. You’ll likely spend several hours on your feet, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. 

• Bring Water – July and August can be very hot. Public fountains are available throughout Siena, but lines often become long as race time approaches. 

• Arrive Early – If you want to stand inside Piazza del Campo, plan to arrive at least three to four hours before the race. Once the square fills up, movement becomes limited and viewing opportunities decrease. 

• Keep Valuables Secure – Large crowds are part of the experience. Use a zippered crossbody bag or another secure option to keep belongings safe. 

•  Learn Which Contrada You’re Staying In – Ask your host family or CET staff which contrada you’re staying in. Understanding its colors, symbol, and history adds a richer local perspective to your experience. 

• Plan Transportation Ahead of Time – Many streets close on race day and public transportation schedules may be modified. If you’re staying outside Siena, check train and bus schedules in advance and prepare for crowded departures after the race. 

From the excitement of race day to the deep-rooted pride of the contrade, the Palio offers a unique window into the culture that make Siena unlike anywhere else in the world. For study abroad students, it’s an opportunity to experience a centuries-old tradition alongside locals and gain a deeper understanding of Sienese life! Whether you’re planning a summer or a semester abroad, CET Siena offers housing in a homestay or apartment, Italian language classes for all levels, and a wide range of electives that allow you to immerse yourself in the city both inside and outside the classroom. 

The post Why the Palio di Siena Is a Study Abroad Experience You’ll Never Forget  appeared first on CET Academic Programs.

Orientation: Bateria at PUC

Our week-long orientation in São Paulo really helped us get to know our way around our neighborhood, Perdizes, and the city at large. As a musically inclined person myself, one of the highlights of orientation was the bateria lesson that took place at our host university, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (or PUC for short, pronounced “pookie”). In stations, we learned how to play the surdo (bass drum), chocalho (shakers), caixa (snare drum), and tamborim (small frame drum). We not only learned new skills, but we made some friends at PUC as well!

A few days later, on the first day of classes, we attended two bateria performances at PUC: one in the morning, three at night. The energy was truly unmatched with everybody dancing, chanting, and catching up with their friends.

Field Trip: Museu do Ipiranga

Situated on the grounds of a beautiful garden, the newly renovated Museu do Ipiranga was the perfect field trip location for my anthropology class, Environmental Issues and Social Impact on Brazilian Traditional Populations. Here, we talked about constructed narratives and the portrayal of Black and Indigenous people in Brazilian history, specifically during colonialism and during its independence.

The museum also had a lookout where we got a 360 view of the city. Fun fact! São Paulo is the largest city in the southern hemisphere with over 22 million inhabitants, making it a major cultural and financial center.

Extra-curricular Activity: Pedra Grande Trail

CET offers a range of extra-curricular (optional) activities where students can further explore the city. Recently, a group of CET students and local roommates went to Pedra Grande, a park that is about two hours out from the city center. The 4.5 mile hike was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, providing us with beautiful greenery and the most incredible view at the top.

It truly felt like you could see the entire city. We were lucky as the sun was shining, giving us a perfectly clear view of São Paulo. We were also able to see monkeys, or micos, in the park when we got back down. All of us had an amazing time relaxing and getting to know each other better.

Overall, my first month in São Paulo has been super positive. Being in a city as big as São Paulo can be overwhelming, but there are many ways to step back: parks, museums, quiet cafés, and more. This city truly has something for everyone, and if you’re ever looking for things to do, CET staff and local roommates can help you find your way.

The post Getting Settled in São Paulo: Zoomed In and Out appeared first on CET Academic Programs.

Life during study abroad can get very busy, but there’s always time to cast your vote! CET is partnering with the Center for US Voters Abroad Turnout Project, a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to helping US citizens living overseas cast their ballots. Below you’ll find a general overview of the absentee voting process to make sure you’re eligible to vote.

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Spending my summer in Shanghai was a great experience. As we wrap up the program, I look forward to returning to my home in the States, but I know I will deeply miss everyone I have met here. After spending two months here, I feel like I have learned, to an extent, what you need to know and have to make your way around China. Therefore, here are some things I would bring to Shanghai, in order to make the best of your experience:

Figure out how you’re going to use your phone before you go

Chinese-made phones have a very different interface than American phones. Thanks to the Great Firewall, when using your American phone on WiFi or your Chinese phone, you won’t be able to access any major American applications, like Google and Instagram.

Additionally, you can’t pay for anything without data or Wifi, and people don’t use physical credit cards here. In China, I got really unlucky with my phone situation.  Since there was a problem with my sim-card, essentially none of my apps work. After buying a popular brand of phone, Huawei, I joked to my parents that having a Chinese phone is essentially useless.

Get a Chinese Phone Number

Despite this, you NEED a Chinese phone number to access everything that Chinese locals use on the regular, like Meituan and Taobao. The phone number usually comes in the form of a physical Sim, which only works on the IPhone 13 and earlier. What ended up working for me was getting my mom to extend my AT&T data plan so I could use it abroad, and then occasionally taking my Chinese phone with me when I needed to do some things like laundry or return clothes on Pinduoduo. This way, I had a reliable form of communication and payment, something that I couldn’t totally trust my Chinese phone to provide.

You need a VPN or Cellular Hotspot (or both!)

You also will likely need to get a VPN, but if I am being completely honest, I only use my VPN to bypass the Great Firewall half of the time. The other half of the time I just use my American phone hotspot. I wish someone would’ve told me before I came to China that a cellular hotspot also bypasses the Chinese digital restrictions, and that I should prepare for that extra strain on my data plan because it’s much more convenient than my VPN, which only works sometimes. You probably still need both though, just to be safe.

Surprisingly, you don’t need to know that much Chinese

There’s at least one class here in Shanghai who is learning Chinese for the first time. I think that’s really impressive, even more so that they are picking it up so quickly. Therefore, I don’t think you really need to have an extensive background in Mandarin to come to Shanghai, although it is pretty helpful if you want to learn a couple of basic phrases for ordering food and asking for help.

Get used to digital services, like Wechat and Alipay

China mostly only uses phone services to pay or order necessities. Before you come to China make sure you download everything you need on your phone, including payment services. You can’t make it five feet out of the airport without having them ready to use!

To summarize, there’s a lot of things that you need to bring in order to study abroad in China, but with thoughtful preparation and research, it can be a really easy transition into living in Shanghai! 再见！

The post Essential Tips for Studying Abroad in Shanghai: Phones, VPNs, and More appeared first on CET Academic Programs.

One of the greatest benefits of the CET Taiwan program is having local roommates and language partners. They not only help us practice Chinese, but also allow us to learn more about Taiwanese culture through everyday experiences. We often eat dinner together, go to the gym, explore Taipei, or simply talk about our days. These activities may seem ordinary, but they have become some of the most meaningful parts of my experience in Taiwan.

From Classroom Chinese to Real Conversations

When I first arrived, I was worried about communicating with local students. I had studied Chinese in class, but having a real conversation felt completely different. In the classroom, I usually had time to prepare what I wanted to say. In real life, conversations moved much faster. Sometimes I understood only part of a sentence, and sometimes I knew what I wanted to say but could not find the right Chinese words.

However, my local roommates and language partners were always patient. When I did not understand something, they repeated it more slowly or explained it using easier words. Over time, I became less afraid of making mistakes. I realized that the purpose of learning a language is not to speak perfectly. It is to communicate, build relationships, and understand people from different backgrounds.

Adventures with New Friends: Night Markets, Hualien, and more

One of my favorite memories was visiting Shilin Night Market, 士林夜市, with other CET students, local roommates, and language partners. Shilin is one of the most famous night markets in Taipei, but what made the experience memorable was not only the place. It was the people I explored it with.

As we walked through the night market, we tried different foods, looked around the small shops, and talked about what we wanted to eat next. The market was crowded, bright, and full of energy. Every few steps, we smelled something different. Some people wanted fried chicken, while others wanted dessert or drinks. Choosing food became a group discussion because everyone had a different recommendation.

Another meaningful experience was traveling to Hualien, 花蓮, with local roommates and friends. Hualien is known for its mountains, beaches, and natural scenery. It felt very different from Taipei. Taipei is always busy, with many people, cars, stores, and MRT stations. Hualien felt slower and more peaceful.

During the trip, we visited the beach, ate local food, explored the area, and spent time together late at night. One of my favorite moments was simply running around near the beach. There was no detailed plan or important destination. We were just enjoying the moment and laughing together.

At night, we stayed up talking and playing games. One game we played was 撿紅點, a popular Taiwanese card game. At first, I did not fully understand the rules. My local friends explained them in Chinese and demonstrated each step. I made several mistakes in the beginning, but that became part of the fun. Every time I played the wrong card, everyone laughed and helped me understand what I should do next.

Beyond Language Practice: Building Real Friendships

Experiences like these are what truly allow me to immerse myself in Taiwanese culture. Chinese class gives me the vocabulary and grammar I need, but my local friends give me opportunities to use them in real life. Everything I learn in class becomes more meaningful when I use it to order food, understand a joke, play a game, or have a late-night conversation.

More importantly, these experiences helped us develop real friendships. Our relationship was not limited to language practice. We supported each other, shared meals, traveled together, and created memories. Chinese became the tool that allowed us to connect, but friendship became the reason I wanted to keep communicating.

I am truly grateful for my local roommates, language partners, and the CET Taiwan program. Without them, I could still visit night markets and travel around Taiwan, but the experience would not feel as personal. They have helped me see Taiwan through the perspective of people who live here.

When I think back on my time in Taiwan, I will remember the beautiful places I visited. However, I will remember the people even more. The friendships I built made each place more meaningful, and they gave me the confidence to continue learning Chinese even when communication was difficult. This experience showed me that learning a language is not only about becoming a better speaker. It is also about becoming a better listener, a more open-minded traveler, and a more understanding friend.

The post How Local Friendships Shaped My Study Abroad Experience in Taiwan appeared first on CET Academic Programs.

At Yale, I study Mathematics and Economics. However, I have always had a strong interest in education and in understanding how students learn differently. Because of this, I was excited when the CET Taiwan program gave me the opportunity to intern at Life in Life, an educational organization that creates emotional learning activities for young students.

Discovering a Different Kind of Classroom

Before beginning this internship, I thought education mainly happened through textbooks, lectures, and school assignments. However, my experience at Life in Life showed me that children can also learn through stories, conversations, art, and small interactions with one another. During each event, I assisted the teachers, observed the students, and sometimes participated directly in the activities. Although my Chinese was limited, I gradually learned how to communicate with the students through simple words, facial expressions, demonstrations, and patience.

Learning About Emotions Through Stories and Skits

One of the most memorable events was an emotional learning class for elementary school students. During the class, students watched several short videos and participated in small skits. The purpose of these activities was to help them think about how they should react when they face an uncomfortable or emotionally difficult situation.

Instead of simply telling the students what the correct response was, the teacher encouraged them to imagine themselves in each situation. The students discussed how the characters in the videos might feel and what they could do differently. Some students immediately raised their hands and shared their ideas, while others needed more time before speaking. Watching the class made me realize that emotional education is not about giving students one correct answer. It is about creating a safe space where they can recognize their emotions and listen to the experiences of others.

When Communication Goes Beyond Language

During the break, the students became curious about me and began asking many questions about my life in the United States. They wanted to know about the American school system, the classes students take, and the differences between schools in the United States and Taiwan. At first, I was worried that my Chinese would not be good enough to answer all their questions. However, the students were patient with me, and I tried to explain my answers using simple Chinese and gestures.

The conversation was not perfect, but that made it more memorable. Sometimes I could not remember the exact Chinese word, so I had to find another way to explain my idea. The students also helped me when I struggled. Through this interaction, I realized that communication does not always require perfect language skills. Being willing to listen, respond, and continue trying can sometimes be more important.

Supporting Students by Understanding Their Experiences

Another event was designed for teachers and focused on recognizing when students may be experiencing a difficult time. During the event, the teachers discussed how a student’s behavior might show emotions that the student cannot clearly express. A student who is unusually quiet, distracted, or frustrated may not simply be refusing to participate. The student may be dealing with a problem that the teacher cannot immediately see.

I had an opportunity to give a short talk about my own educational experience in the United States. Speaking in front of the group was challenging because I had to explain a personal and complicated experience with limited Chinese. I could not express every detail exactly as I would have in English, but I focused on clearly communicating the main idea.

I shared that students can face difficulties for many different reasons and that teachers may not always understand those reasons at first. From my own experiences studying in different environments, I learned that students sometimes need time, patience, and someone who is willing to ask what they are going through.

This moment was meaningful because I was not only observing the event as an intern. I was contributing my own perspective. Even though my Chinese was not fluent, the experience gave me more confidence. It showed me that I could still share something valuable while learning how to communicate across a language barrier.

Patience, Creativity, and Clay Cactuses

The final event was a psychological and emotional learning activity for kindergarten students. In this class, the students used colorful clay to make small cactuses. At first, the activity looked like a simple art project. However, I soon understood that the purpose was not only to create something. The activity gave students a comfortable way to express themselves, interact with others, and practice sharing.

I helped demonstrate how to use the clay and supported the children while they worked on their projects. Because the students were very young, long explanations were not always effective. I had to show each step slowly and help them one at a time. Some students immediately began creating their cactuses, while others needed more encouragement before starting.

Working with the kindergarten students taught me the importance of paying attention to each child individually. Every student had a different personality and worked at a different pace. Some were excited to talk, while others communicated more quietly through their actions. I learned that helping young children often requires patience and observation rather than giving many instructions.

One of my favorite parts of the event was seeing how proud the students became after completing their projects. The clay cactuses were all different, but each student was excited to share what they had made. Their reactions reminded me that even a small activity can become meaningful when students feel that their ideas and work are valued.

Rethinking What Education Can Be

My internship at Life in Life has been different from a traditional office internship. There is no typical day of sitting at a desk and completing the same type of task. Each event brings a different group of students, a different lesson, and a new challenge. Sometimes I help prepare materials, sometimes I observe the students, and sometimes I communicate directly with them.

Through Life in Life, I have seen that education is not only about academic achievement. It is also about helping students understand their emotions, communicate with others, and feel comfortable being themselves. The smiles and curiosity of the students made each event meaningful to me. This experience has encouraged me to continue exploring the field of education and to think more deeply about how different learning environments can support every student.

The post What I Learned from My Education Internship in Taiwan appeared first on CET Academic Programs.

Adjusting to Traditional Chinese Characters

When I first started studying Chinese in Taiwan, one of the biggest adjustments was getting used to traditional Chinese characters, 繁體字. Before coming to Taiwan, I was more familiar with simplified Chinese, 简体字, so at first even basic reading felt slower than I expected. Sometimes I knew the pronunciation of a word and even understood its meaning, but when I saw it written in traditional Chinese, it looked unfamiliar. This happened not only on signs and menus, but also in class, where I had to quickly recognize and write characters during lessons.

One thing that made this learning experience especially memorable was seeing how much we covered in class. Some days, I would look at the whiteboard and feel both impressed and overwhelmed. The board would be filled with new words, pinyin, explanations, and small drawings to help us remember meanings. Looking at it all at once reminded me that learning Chinese is not just about memorizing vocabulary. It is about slowly building connections between sound, meaning, writing, and daily use.

Learning More Than Just Vocabulary

For example, one class board included words like 微生物, 病毒, 選舉, 政黨, 聯合政府, 樓梯, 系統, and 結構. What stood out to me was how wide the range of vocabulary was. In one class, we were not only learning simple daily words, but also more abstract or academic vocabulary. Some words related to science, like “microorganism” and “virus,” while others related to politics, like “election,” “political party,” and “coalition government.” We also learned practical everyday words like “stairs,” alongside broader words like “system” and “structure.”

At first, this felt intimidating. Learning traditional characters already required more attention because of the extra strokes, and now I also had to learn words from very different topics. But over time, I started to appreciate this kind of learning. It showed me that language is not separated into neat categories in real life. In one day, I might read a sign in the MRT, hear a conversation about politics, and then see health related vocabulary in class. Chinese in Taiwan felt alive because it appeared everywhere, not only in textbooks.

At the same time, our textbooks gave more structure to what we were learning. In class, the whiteboard often felt fast and active, while the textbook helped organize the vocabulary and grammar more clearly. When I looked through the textbook, I could review the lesson more calmly and notice patterns that I missed during class. Sometimes a word that felt difficult during the lesson became much easier when I saw it again in the book with examples and context.

From the Classroom to Everyday Life

This became even more clear outside the classroom. In Taiwan, traditional Chinese is everywhere. I saw it on restaurant menus, store signs, MRT stations, posters, and classroom handouts. Because of that, learning never really stopped when class ended. Even on a normal walk around Taipei, I was still studying. Sometimes I recognized a character from class while ordering food or reading a sign, and those small moments felt rewarding. They made me feel that the language was slowly becoming part of my daily life.

I also noticed that learning traditional Chinese changed the way I approached reading. In the beginning, I wanted to read quickly, the same way I would read English. But Chinese, especially traditional Chinese, forced me to slow down and pay attention. I had to notice the strokes, compare similar-looking characters, and think more carefully about meaning. This process was frustrating sometimes, but it also made me more patient. Instead of expecting instant improvement, I learned to accept that progress would come little by little.

Understanding Taiwan Through Language

Another interesting part of this experience was realizing that language learning is not only about difficulty, but also about perspective. Before coming to Taiwan, I thought the switch from simplified to traditional Chinese would mainly be a technical challenge. In reality, it also helped me understand Taiwan more deeply. Traditional characters are not just another writing system. They are part of Taiwan’s history, education, and everyday culture. By learning them, I felt that I was not only improving my Chinese, but also getting closer to the place where I was studying.

Looking back, I think the classroom itself became one of the most important parts of this journey. The whiteboard full of words, the teacher’s explanations, the textbook examples, and the small moments when I suddenly recognized a character all became part of the same learning process. Sometimes progress felt slow, but when I compared myself to the first week, I could clearly see growth. Characters that once looked impossible slowly became familiar!

Seeing Progress, One Character at a Time

The transition from simplified Chinese to traditional Chinese has definitely been challenging, but it has also been one of the most meaningful parts of my time in Taiwan. It taught me to slow down, observe more carefully, and appreciate language in a deeper way. I still do not recognize every traditional character immediately, and I still make mistakes, but now they no longer feel completely foreign. Instead, they feel like a challenge I am continuing to grow with every day.

Through this experience, I learned that language study is not only about memorizing new words. It is about learning how people think, communicate, and express culture through writing. In that sense, studying traditional Chinese in Taiwan has been more than a language challenge. It has become an important part of how I understand both Chinese and Taiwan itself.

The post Learning Traditional Chinese from Simplified Chinese in Taiwan appeared first on CET Academic Programs.

With two weeks of my program left, this will be my last photography blog post! Throughout the program, the academics have been pretty rigorous; from completing my second oral and written exam to memorizing countless vocabulary and grammar points, it’s quite the challenge. Unfortunately, there was also a flu going around the program during this time, so it’s been tough on everybody! 

Despite these difficulties, there has still been plenty of fun with festivals, excursions, and events. It has definitely been a great journey up to this point, and I want to share some of the fun things I’ve done.

Visiting a Japanese High School 

For one of our long planned excursions, all of the CET Japan students visited a Japanese high school where we interacted with high school students. On a previous, smaller excursion, I was also able to visit a middle school where I participated in some after school club activities that middle schoolers participated in. We spent about five minutes with each club, which was unfortunately short because I really was having fun in some of these activities!

My most memorable ones were winning a typing test against the computer club and other CET students, but also getting totally eviscerated by some track club students in a running competition lol. Going back to the high school excursion, we were all greeted by some high schoolers and chatted about ourselves as they gave us a school tour. We spent our day having lunch together and also creating a presentation about the differences between our cultures.

Taiko Performance

One of the highlights of the program was watching local high school students perform Wadaiko, a style of traditional Japanese drumming. As someone who plays Taiko no Tatsujin, an arcade rhythm game inspired by taiko drumming, I was especially excited to see a live performance, and I was totally amazed by the students’ energy and how perfectly synchronized they were throughout the performance. Even better, they invited us to try playing the drums ourselves while wearing traditional performance clothing!

Fun with Fabrics 

For one of the optional CET activities, we were able to make our own cloth through Saori weaving, a style of weaving that uses a Saori loom. One thing that I love that makes this special is that Saori weaving centers around embracing imperfection and developing individual creativity. So, when I snapped this picture of everyone creating their own fabrics, I can definitely sense the creativity as people experimented and chose their own colors of string to make their final piece.

A Bit of a Sidequest

At one point, I was unfortunately one of the people who caught the flu and ended up with a fever for a week. Most people would take this time to rest at home, but because I’m in Japan and I was feeling adventurous, I went to Kyoto for a couple of days to visit shrines and temples (definitely do get rest when you’re sick!).

Something special about being in Osaka is that going to other prefectures and cities is super convenient because of public transportation. Going to Kyoto was around a 45 minute train ride! It was very much worth going, as I could see incredible views like the image above at the popular sightseeing spot, Kiyomizu-dera temple.

While in Kyoto, I had some family over, so we traveled around the area, also visiting shrines, temples, and castles! My most memorable experience was crossing the Kamo River after visiting Shimogamo Shrine, one of the oldest Shinto shrines (a World Heritage Site according to UNESCO, woah). Near one of the bridges crossing Kamo River, there are large stepping stones that you can use to cross the river, and we saw people wearing yukatas relaxing as well as kids soaking in the river. Despite being sick, I was honestly inspired by these kids chilling in the water, so I ended up walking in the river barefoot, and it was super refreshing. Definitely recommend chilling in the cold water on a hot sunny day!

Additionally, one thing I wanted to experience myself during this summer program is to go to a matsuri, a traditional Japanese festival that usually focuses on celebrating a shrine’s deity or historical event. So, I also took a solo trip back to Shimogamo Shrine to celebrate Mitarashi Matsuri, where I participated in ashitsuke-shinji (foot-dipping ritual to wash away impurities and pray for good health in the Mitarai pond), offering lit candles, and also receiving sacred spring water. Between the river crossing and the festival, I somehow spent a surprising amount of my Kyoto trip standing barefoot in water!

Ending this off with a blast!

To end my last photography blog post, I wanted to include one of the biggest highlights of my summer: celebrating Tenjin Matsuri! I first visited Osaka Tenmangu Shrine on the eve of the festival, where I watched a lively lion dance along with several other traditional performances. The shrine grounds were already filled with people, music, food stalls, and festival decorations, so it felt like the celebration had begun before the main day even arrived.

On the actual day of the festival, I spent some time exploring Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, known as the longest shopping street in Japan. It was fun walking past all the stores and festival stalls, although the combination of the summer heat and the huge crowds made it a little exhausting. At one point, a group carrying a brightly decorated mikoshi, or portable shrine, came directly through the shopping street. It was so memorable to see such energy happening in front of me as the performers were chanting and lifting the shrine through the crowd.

To end the day of the festival, I met up with other CET students to watch the boat procession and fireworks along the river. Seeing the illuminated boats move across the water while fireworks filled the sky was an incredible way to finish the celebration. Even though it was hot, crowded, and difficult to find a good viewing spot, sharing the experience with everyone made it much more memorable.

Looking back, what made this summer so unique was how much of the experience happened beyond the classroom. CET gave me opportunities to connect with local students, try traditional activities, and experience parts of Japanese culture that I had previously only read about or seen online.

At the same time, living in Japan made it possible to turn an ordinary free day into a spontaneous trip to Kyoto or an evening surrounded by festival performances and fireworks. Even with the difficult classes, intense summer heat, and getting sick along the way, these experiences made the program unforgettable.

I’m probably known for always bringing my camera everywhere throughout the program, but I’m glad I did because it allowed me to capture so many moments that I might otherwise have forgotten. As a photographer, I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to share these experiences through my blog posts. Shout out to my housemates Lucy, Ayaka, and Hinata, as well as my classmates in 321A, and to my teachers who have made my experience great!

The post What Makes a Summer in Japan with CET Different? appeared first on CET Academic Programs.

From subways with cars separated by temperature preferences to bikes that only cost 1.99 RMB (around 0.29 cents USD), getting around in Beijing couldn’t be easier. Plus, all of the public transportation options makes it easy to lower your carbon footprint when studying abroad!

Beijing Metro

To access the metro, you can directly set up a metro card through Alipay. The price of the ride is calculated based on the distance that you travel. Each time you enter and leave the station, you scan your metro card so that the system can calculate your fare.

The subway cars are even separated by the level of air conditioning offered, so you can choose which car to enter depending on your temperature preferences. Traffic in Beijing can get really bad, especially during peak hours, so I definitely recommend taking the subway whenever possible!

Bike-Share System

For shorter distances, you can consider using the bike-share system. Bikes can be found on nearly every street. Pictured above are blue and yellow bikes parked in a popular tourist destination. There are three main types of bikes that you will encounter in Beijing:

1. Hello Bike (哈啰出行): These sky blue bikes can be easily unlocked using the Alipay app. Since I can’t unlock the other two types of bikes (due to logistical issues), I always opt for this bike. If you run into similar issues with unlocking bikes, my recommendation is to change to another company’s bikes.
2. Meituan Bike (美团单车): These bikes are bright yellow, earning them the nickname “小黄” (Little Yellow).
3. DiDi Bike (滴滴青桔): These bikes are teal and green and they’re operated by the ride share company DiDi.

DiDi

DiDi is China’s main ride-share platform that can be used directly through WeChat or through their own app. Calling a DiDi is extremely simple, and prices are super affordable. However, because traffic in Beijing can get really bad during peak hours, I usually use Apple Maps to compare transit times.

At the end of the day, getting around Beijing couldn’t be easier. Whether you’re cruising through the neighborhoods around CNU on a 2 RMB bike ride, hopping on the subway to avoid rush hour traffic, or calling a DiDi late at night for a few extra yuan, there’s always an option that fits your preferences.

The post How to Get Around Beijing While Studying Abroad appeared first on CET Academic Programs.

On-Site Staff Snapshot

Name and Position: Zuo Cui (左翠), CET Beijing Custom Programs Resident Director
Years Working with CET: 15.5 years
Fun Fact: I started as a local roommate for the CET Beijing program in 2005! I also love getting lost in Beijing’s hutongs on weekends, exploring hidden corners of the city, and uncovering the stories and history of old Beijing.

What is your favorite part of your role as the Custom Programs Resident Director for Beijing?

Each short-term study abroad program has its own unique academic theme and learning objectives. When supporting program design and developing customized activities, I need to first fully understand and immerse myself in the program’s academic goals and themes. This allows me to better align each activity with the program’s expectations and create meaningful learning experiences for both faculty and students. 

Designing an itinerary is much like completing a complex puzzle. Every activity needs to be carefully considered and placed in the right position to ensure that the entire program flows naturally, supports the academic objectives, and creates cohesive experience for participants.

Through working with faculty members and students from different universities, I have also had the opportunity to learn about the unique cultures and characteristics of each institution. Every school has its own traditions, values, and student dynamics. By interacting closely with professors and students, I gain insights into different campus cultures, regional backgrounds, and the topics that are currently meaningful and engaging to young people. These experiences not only enrich my understanding of U.S. higher education but also help me design programs that are more responsive, relevant, and impactful.

What are your top 3 favorite field-based activities to run within Beijing? What about outside of Beijing?

In Beijing

1. Mutianyu Great Wall day Trip
2. Hutong Walking tour
3. Beijing Urban Planning Museum

Beyond Beijing

1. Shandong Mout Tai excursions
2. Shaanxi History Museum in Xi’an
3. Sanxingdui Museum in Chengdu

What piece of advice would you give to a faculty leader to help make the most of the program?

When designing an itinerary for custom programs, we need to carefully consider participants’ physical stamina, as well as the amount of time required for each visit and activity. In general, I recommend limiting the daily schedule to no more than three major activities to ensure a balanced and meaningful experience.

I completely understand that professors want to introduce students to as much as possible during their limited time in China. However, based on my experience with program implementation, one of the most common challenges we encounter is that overly packed schedules often lead to activities being rushed, shortened, or even canceled due to time constraints. This not only affects the quality of the learning experience but may also result in unnecessary costs and logistical challenges.

For custom programs, what academic themes are especially exciting to explore in Beijing?

Beijing is China’s cultural and political center, and as the capital city, it offers an incredibly rich range of resources and opportunities for academic exploration. In my opinion, Beijing has strong adaptability across a wide variety of academic themes, making it an ideal location for custom programs.

Common academic themes that can be explored in Beijing include history, culture, politics, education, urban planning, religion, environmental studies, business, arts, etc. The city itself serves as a living classroom, where students can connect academic concepts with real-world examples through site visits, institutional exchanges, and cultural experiences.

The post CET Beijing Custom Programs Staff Q&A: Meet Zuo Cui appeared first on CET Academic Programs.