TBC Welcomes Fall Semester Students
This week, TBC was pleased to welcome Fall Semester students Mars, Jen, and Thomas! We are thrilled to have them join us this fall as they embark on an exciting academic journey in Beijing.
Chinese Roommate Experience: Livia Li
Four months later, as winter had gone and spring came with roses in full bloom, our relationship blossomed similarly.
Exploring Urumqi Xinjiang: A First Time Visitor’s Perspective
Visiting Urumqi for the first time is an immersive experience, filled with surprises, cultural insights, and breathtaking landscapes.
MAKING NEW FRIENDS ON CAMPUS
Thankfully, everyone here is very nice and like anywhere else, some students are reserved and may not approach you first, but others will approach you first. You can choose to be the ones to initiate or not but either way finding something you guys can mutually do, like playing sports, is the first step. From there, friendships blossom.
MEAL COSTS IN CHINA AS A TBC STUDENT
One of the many perks of living in China as an American is the price of day-to-day living. At my home university, Seattle University, I may have to spend $10-$15 for a single meal, I can expect to pay $1 to $2.50 per meal at one of UIBE’s four canteens. Most frequently, I eat at the International Plaza canteen which is conveniently situated in the basement of the dorm building where all TBC students live. Another one I frequent is the halal canteen which is not too far away from my dorm building and has two floors. Occasionally I will go to the first canteen which has four floors and the second canteen. All canteens at UIBE have a variety of foods to eat and choose from so that I never get sick of eating the same thing every day.
NEVER WAIT UNTIL YOU’RE READY: AN INTERVIEW WITH ALUMNI IAN MCMATH
Ian is a film director and producer from New York who first came to China for a year-long exchange program at TBC in 2014. After graduating from university, he returned to China and founded his own media production company. During his time in China, he filmed a documentary about No Dogs Left Behind, an animal rescue organization. In this interview, Ian shares his initial intentions of coming to China and his rich experiences in the country.
SHARING IS CARING: A TBC LOVE STORY
It’s been twelve years since Chris Roithmayr and Kasia Kordas went on their first date in the Spring 2011 semester at TBC, although the two of them disagree on which meal they shared for it. Now married for over five years and with two children, Chris and Kasia Roithmayr chatted with TBC about their study abroad experience, their love story, and their passion for food.
“CHANGED FOR THE BETTER”: A TBC LOVE STORY
TBC Spring 2016 alumni Meili (nee Burns) and Dominic Van Dyke tied the knot in June 2022, embarking on a lifelong journey that found its roots in their shared time abroad. Both graduates of Loyola University Chicago, Meili studied biology and is now a student at the Illinois College of Optometry. Dominic studied political science and international studies with minors in history and Chinese Language, and now works as a business intelligence analyst in cybersecurity.
FROM DEVELOPING EXPERIENCE TO DEVELOPING NATIONS
What have you done that changed your life?
Recently, TBC sat down with Fall 2007 alum Meagan Breidert, a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and Indiana University, to talk about her experience during and after The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies. After a ten-year career as a management consultant, she is currently working to lead Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts for a company. She is based in Washington, D.C., and attended the August 2022 Washington, D.C. TBC Alumni Meetup. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
TIPS FOR LEARNING MANDARIN CHINESE AS A BEGINNER
Learning a new language is a challenge, and I speak from my own experience. My native language is Spanish, and I also speak English and a little French. I have been learning English since I was a child and French, in some ways, is similar to Spanish. However, in my opinion, Mandarin is another world.
HOW MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY LED ME TO BE INTERESTED IN WORKING IN CHINA
Why did I, Teresa Paniagua Sanchez, end up doing my internship in China as a Spaniard? That’s a good question.
Several aspects have influenced my professional path and have made me choose to do my internship at The Beijing Center (TBC) this summer.
DISCUSSING MULTICULTURAL COMPLEXITIES WITH TBC STUDENT JOYCE FU
On a cold Beijing afternoon, I sat down with Joyce Fu, a current Fall 2020 American Pathway Program student, who, despite the ongoing global obstacles, has managed to remain optimistic about her academic future and has found the opportunity for personal and academic growth at TBC this semester.
DON’T MISS OUT ON A BETHEL SERVICE TRIP
“Ok! We have to stop playing with the kids now. If we stay any longer the kids will be TOO EXCITED to go to sleep tonight.” Try to imagine making someone this happy – so happy that they can’t even fall asleep. This is what we were told right before we left the Bethel Foundation in Beijing last Saturday.
THE TRUE SILK ROAD EXCURSION BIBLE
THE SILK ROAD – the most famous, by far the LONGEST, and arguably the most influential trade routes in the history of the world. Just let that sink in for a minute, and then you can go ahead and keep reading.
GUBEI WATERTOWN
If you’re looking for an escape from the city, spend a weekend in Gubei Watertown. Located just a two-hour drive from Beijing, the town is made up of traditional architecture, greenery, and not to mention an endless number of doorways to take photos in. While in Gubei, hike up to the Mountaintop Church for a view of the city and a coffee to start your day. Once down the mountain, take in the view from a boat for only 80RMB.
HOW TO NAVIGATE THE MARKET
1) Make a list of items you want to purchase beforehand
Don’t make the mistake of leaving with items you don’t need. The salesmen are excellent at enticing you to buy their products if not for you, as gifts.
MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN BEIJING
By Nicole M., Loyola Marymount University, TBC Summer 2019 Intern Abroad Student
UNA COLOMBIANA MUY ORIENTAL
La estudiante de Ingeniería Civil, de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Paula Andrea González Mojica, fue condecorada con el premio Living the Mission de otoño 2018, que otorga el Centro de Estudios Chinos de Beijing (TBC por sus siglas en inglés), al sobresalir por sus cualidades personales en la experiencia de la Misión Matteo Ricci, S.J.
THAI-ED TO MEMORIES
During spring break a group of 6 friends and I spent our time in the Land of Smiles-Thailand. A week full of dream-like scenery and adventures straight out of a book. To say the least, it was the perfect escape from the Beijing cold and bad air. Our first stop, Chiang Mai, was a tranquil place during the day but lively and vibrant at night. Known for its night markets, food stands, and friendly locals, Chiang Mai showed us a good time.
MY HOT SPOTS OF BEIJING
Here’s a handful of places that I suggest you must try if you are here in Beijing! I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do.