For Xu Shengbo, a Communication Engineering major at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), the idea of studying abroad began with a simple curiosity about what life might be like beyond his own country.
That curiosity took shape in the second semester of his sophomore year, when he came across the UC Berkeley Summer Session on his university’s website. With SAF’s support through the application process – including the necessary visa steps – Xu arrived in Northern California several months later to begin a three-week academic and personal journey that would reshape how he communicated with, and understood, the world.
In July 2025, Xu joined the Summer 2025 Session E at the University of California, Berkeley. From the moment he stepped onto campus, it was clear this would be a different kind of learning experience. SAF staff welcomed students on arrival, assisting with housing check-in, orientation, and a guided campus tour that made the transition into a new country and academic system far less daunting.
“Even after a long flight, I couldn’t even think about sleeping – I was too excited.”
Exploring Berkeley’s iconic landmarks with the group, he was struck by the campus atmosphere. “I loved how UC Berkeley embraces open-air architecture,” Xu says. “Students and faculty are always outside, there are outdoor stadiums, pools, tables in front of academic buildings, and even cafés set up in the open air. It made the whole campus feel open, alive, and full of possibilities.”
That sense of openness mattered as Xu faced one of the biggest challenges of studying abroad: communicating in English throughout daily life. Despite preparing in advance, speaking up in class and navigating everyday interactions initially felt intimidating.
SAF’s academic structure played a key role in helping him adapt. Xu enrolled in "Academic English Speaking" and "Berkeley Experience," courses designed to combine language development with cultural immersion. Small, interactive classes encouraged discussion and experimentation rather than perfection.
“One of my professors kept reminding us that speaking is more important than speaking perfectly. That changed my mindset.”
Gradually, Xu began to find his voice, participating more actively in class, initiating conversations, and forming friendships with fellow international students. He struck up a friendship with a student from South Korea, with whom he shared stories, compared cultures, and exchanged bits of each other’s language.
“I realized that that was my first time having a face-to-face conversation with a foreign peer,” Xu reflects. “In a foreign land, we came together as international students, sharing stories we had never heard before and exchanging ideas.”
English, Xu realized, had become more than a subject for him – it was a bridge that connected him to the rest of the world.
Beyond academics, SAF also enabled Xu to experience California more fully, from exploring San Francisco and Santa Monica to celebrating at Disneyland with friends. Once he returned home, the impact of his time abroad became even clearer. In the months following the program, Xu found himself more confident in academic discussions, more willing to share his own perspectives, and more comfortable engaging with differing viewpoints in a thoughtful, balanced way. He also became braver about engaging with international peers.
Looking back, he sees the summer as something of a turning point.
“In just three weeks, I experienced a different America, made friends from around the world, and learned how to connect across cultures."
