This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore the pre-departure perceptions of Chinese undergraduate students from Suzhou University of Technology (SZUT) preparing to study at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (UWEC) through the CHEPD 1+2+1 program. Findings reveal a student cohort marked by optimistic ambition alongside practical anxieties. While students are motivated by the promise of a Western education that fosters critical thinking and practical skills, and they look forward to personal growth and cultural immersion, their enthusiasm is tempered by concerns about language barriers, social integration, and personal safety. Notably, there is a striking contrast between their academic confidence—supported by technological tools—and their socio-emotional apprehensions about adapting to a new cultural environment.
