Featured Person: Well Zhao
Meet Well Zhao, who traveled all over the United States on a disability exchange program.
Disability: Amputee
Program Country: United States
Program Length: Five weeks
Program Type: Professional Exchange (International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State)
About Me: I was born in Shijiazhuang City, China and am currently the vice president of Guangzhou English Training Center for the Handicapped (GETCH), the director of GETCH Community Department, and a former student at GETCH (2003-2006). GETCH is a non-profit, non-governmental school that provides tuition-free associate’s degrees in business, English and computer skills for young adults in China who are physically disabled.
Was your international exchange experience arranged through an exchange organization? If so, what was the application process like?
The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou, China, links with GETCH for many service projects and recommended me for the International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
If you received any scholarships, stipends, or other funding for your exchange, who provided them?
All of my expenses were included in the program.
What were your concerns as you prepared to travel? What kinds of resources did you use to address these concerns (website, advisor, book, etc)?
There is a liaison from the U.S Department of State who assists program participants. Through this liaison, I received a rough plan of my journey before the program, so I did not have any serious concerns about preparing to travel.
What was your experience living in the host country? Please share your impressions of housing, transportation, activities, cultural attitudes towards disability, and your strategies for navigating abroad.
For housing, because I did not tell the program liaison that I was disabled, I lived in a normal single room. I thought the transportation system was perfect for people with disabilities; whether I needed airport service or bus service, there were accessible facilities everywhere. People were respectful and helpful towards people with disabilities.
If you used assistive devices during your exchange program, were they helpful to you in your new environment?
I wear prosthetics every day, allowing me to move easily. But I can not move over long distances.
What would have been helpful to have known before you began your journey?
It would have been helpful to know what the weather would be like. Weather is important for me because on rainy days, I have to avoid slippery surfaces.
What were the benefits of the experience, and how has your international experience informed your future plans?
Perhaps through my collaborations with MIUSA, the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP), and Volunteers in Asia, and through support from programs like the U.S. Department of States’ Sports United programs, I could make it possible to bring Americans for recreational events like this in China, or bring our GETCH students to the U.S. to experience it too. It would continue my exciting journey onward.
Read more about the participating American organizations that are including people with disabilities in civil society by reading Well's story "Reflections from my International Visitor Program to the U.S." Do you have an exchange or disability-related question for Well? Email clearinghouse@miusa.org to get in touch with him.
Visit our "Featured People" page to meet other international exchange alum.
