For Amelia DeSnoo '16, a Middle Eastern studies/Chinese major, studying in Beijing, China, has a special significance. “I am a Chinese major and am interested in Asian cultures. I am also half Asian, so studying abroad in China helps me get in touch more with my cultural background.” The Associated Colleges in China program places students at Minzu University where they take classes on Chinese language and culture. Perhaps one of the best aspects of the program is travel; students can visit local gardens, parks and temples or travel around China to climb mountains and see historical sites. DeSnoo especially values travel in China for the interactions she has had with local residents: “It's great to be able to apply my language skills in such a real way. It's one of the few things that learning Chinese at Pomona can't do for us!”.