Written by: Jasmine (Yaxuan) Zhuang, class of 2027

Joining the 1+2+1 Sino-American Dual Degree Program gave me the opportunity to spend my sophomore and junior years at Ball State University. After completing my first year of college in China, moving to the United States felt like a completely new beginning. I had to adjust to a different education system, communicate in English every day, and learn how to become more independent. At the same time, I was finally able to study what I was truly interested in. As a Media major concentrating in Broadcast and Multimedia News, I began to spend much more time learning through real projects rather than simply studying from textbooks. Looking back, the 1+2+1 program gave me much more than an opportunity to study abroad. It gave me the chance to experience a different way of learning and gradually discover what kind of person and communicator I wanted to become.

From the Classroom to Real Stories

One of the experiences that influenced me the most was MDIA 422 NewsLink. We had to produce complete news packages, from finding a story and conducting interviews to writing, shooting, and editing. One story I particularly remember was about The Dumpling House and its reopening after facing difficulties during the pandemic and a lease issue. Interviewing the owner and putting the story together made me realize that journalism is not simply about presenting information. There are always real people and real experiences behind a story. My experience with Cardinal Compass also allowed me to explore different sides of news production. I worked as a post editor and also took on roles such as anchor and director. Sometimes I was nervous about speaking English or making mistakes, but being in front of and behind the camera again and again made me more comfortable. I gradually learned that confidence does not come from waiting until you are ready. It comes from being willing to try.

More Than a Degree

Outside of my major, my two years at Ball State also helped me find a sense of belonging far away from home. I became involved in the Chinese Student Association and later served as a representative and finance minister. Through classes, student organizations, and everyday life on campus, I met people from different backgrounds and learned how to communicate, cooperate, and take responsibility. Receiving four international student scholarships was also an important part of my experience. More importantly, these two years changed the way I saw myself. When I first joined the 1+2+1 program, I thought studying in the United States would mainly be about getting another degree and improving my English. By the end of my junior year, I realized that I had gained something much harder to put on a transcript: the courage to speak up, the ability to adapt, and the confidence to try even when I was not completely sure of myself. The 1+2+1 program brought me to Ball State, but my experiences there taught me how to find my own voice.