Hello. Bonjour. Hola. Guten Tag. Ni hao.

Two years ago, I learned the importance of having an international friend and the impact a person of another culture can have on your life.

In the summer of 2006, I participated in a cultural exchange program and traveled to a country I never thought I would visit: China. As part of the Volunteers for China program, I traveled with other college students to Changzhu University in Changzhu, China. For three weeks, we attended classes about ancient Chinese culture and history and learned activities such as calligraphy, paper cutting and various other Chinese traditions.

In exchange for what we learned, we acted as teachers for the Chinese college students, educating them about American culture and improving their English-speaking skills. We also celebrated religious and cultural holidays that many do not celebrate in China, along with reenacting several traditional events, such as an American wedding.

During my time in Changzhu, I got to know many of the students during small group sessions and also by participating in different events in the city. Groups of us would travel to the Internet café, showing each other pictures of families and friends, or walk to the city square and participate in dance contests in front of thousands of Changzhu residents. I learned what it meant to be a young college student in China and I taught them how it was to be the same in America. I took part in their everyday lives while teaching them about mine.

However, when the time came to leave, I discovered the far-from-perfect ways to keep in touch with new friends. While we decided to exchange emails, many of them would only be able to respond sometimes. Two years later, I correspond every few months with Justin, a graduate student at Changzhu University. Our emails typically discuss our current lives, including school, friends and family and the experiences we have encountered since we parted ways.

The emails remind me of my experience in China and the immersion into culture of another country. I hope to return to China again in the future, but the memories and pen pal contact will have to suffice until I can afford another $2,000 plane ticket.

For many, the opportunity to travel across the world, meet new friends and encounter new cultures seems enticing but almost impossible at the same time. With airline tickets climbing and the value of the American dollar decreasing, monetary issues can limit many from experiencing such a trip.

Yet, for ECU students, this dream isn't as far-fetched as many might believe. The ECU Office of International Affairs' mission is to provide opportunities for students to travel across the world, promoting an understanding of differences among nations and cultures that will aid in an individual's academic and personal growth.

ECU student A.J. Pridgen is currently studying abroad in Germany.

"My experience has been great and the people [I have met] are great, unlike the stereotypes that one hears," said Pridgen, who is studying abroad in Freiburg, Baden-Wüerttemberg for one year. "If for no other reason, I am here to learn the culture of Germany and not just live the American culture abroad."

"You learn so much about yourself and then about other cultures by having to live with them and spend all day in class with them."

For students who aren't as willing to make a physical journey, ECU offers a wide variety of incentives to interact with foreign students.

For international students who study abroad at ECU, being in an unfamiliar country is just the beginning.

"Many international students request to be paired with American students in the residence halls," said William Mallett, the assistant director of International Students Advisement at the Office of International Affairs. "We make sure all of the students are comfortable and understand the different services that ECU provides."

Mallett also cites the International Student Association as a source for foreign and residential students to network.

"The association plans trips and events for all students to enjoy, because many want other students at ECU to participate so they can learn more about them and the American culture," Mallett said.

Classroom experience is also available for students who seek to learn about foreign countries and their citizens. International Studies classes, such as global understanding, give students the ability to communicate with other students via teleconferencing.

With opportunities spanning from ECU to across the globe, students of all backgrounds and languages can learn more about each other through cultural interaction.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.