For University of Ottawa undergraduate student Min Ji (Esther) Kim, studying in China seemed like an ideal way to round out her education. “China is an emerging country that’s affecting international relations and globalization in the world today,” she said. “As a social sciences student, I thought it would be a great chance to learn about Chinese values and culture by being immersed in it, rather than just what we’re taught in Canada.”

Kim is studying in international development and globalization at the University of Nanjing which is one of China’s oldest universities.In the classroom, she took courses related to her degree, like Chinese foreign policy and Mandarin; outside of class, she got to know the region’s people and places with the help of enthusiastic locals.

A new Canada-wide program helped make this possible for Ms. Kim. As one of the first U of Ottawa students to participate in the new Canada Learning Initiative in China, or CLIC, she received financial support that covered her tuition costs, and freed up cash for school trips and activities. “I could really immerse myself in the culture,” she said.