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Stories Without Borders: From Hollywood to Guilin

JD Nathanson Start Date: Aug 18, 2025 - End Date: Dec 17, 2025
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Guilin, Guangxi, China

My Travel Story

by: JD Nathanson Start Date: Aug 18, 2025 - End Date: Dec 17, 2025
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
Hi friends!

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been accepted to study Mandarin at the Chinese Language Institute (CLI) in Guilin, China, an immersive program that blends intensive language classes with real-world cultural experiences. This is a rare chance to make a major leap forward in my Mandarin skills while deepening my understanding of Chinese history, traditions, and everyday life.

I’ve been studying Mandarin every day, combining self-study with regular lessons from online tutors. It’s been an exciting and rewarding journey, but there’s only so far I can go without living the language: hearing it, speaking it, and experiencing it in context. I know the transformative power of immersion firsthand; I previously learned Spanish to fluency by studying abroad in Spain, and that experience shaped not only my language skills but my worldview. CLI’s approach will give me the same chance with Mandarin.

As a professional in animation and film, I believe that stories are bridges that connect people across cultures, time, and geography. Some of my most inspiring career moments have come from collaborating with artists from diverse backgrounds, including most recently on the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise, a series deeply influenced by Chinese culture, philosophy, and aesthetics. 

The world of animation is changing rapidly. Audiences are no longer confined to stories from a single cultural perspectives; they are eager for global voices, diverse aesthetics, and narratives that transcend borders. For me, learning Mandarin is part of staying at the forefront of this shift: it’s professional development for a career that must evolve in a global and constantly changing industry. The recent release of Ne Zha 2, which became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, is a perfect example of China’s growing influence in animation and storytelling worldwide. By investing in my Mandarin studies, I’m investing in the ability to be a collaborative bridge and contribute meaningfully to the exciting future of animation.

CLI has generously offered to partially fund my trip, making this opportunity more attainable - but I’m still raising funds to cover the remaining tuition, travel, and living expenses, as they are more than I am able to cover on my own at this time. This isn’t just a class; it’s an investment in my craft, my career, and my ability to tell stories that resonate across cultures.

Your support will help me take this next step toward becoming a truly global storyteller, who can bridge cultures through collaboration, empathy, and shared imagination.
  • Guilin, Guangxi, China

Updates

2

  • HSK 3

    HSK 3
    Officially made it to HSK 3, the first intermediate level of Chinese proficiency! :)

  • At-Home Study Buddies

    At-Home Study Buddies
    A snapshot of my at home Mandarin study - Honeybee makes a great classmate :).
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