Brushstrokes of Meaning: My Chinese Arts and Culture Exhibition Experience
Art often bridges the past and present, connecting us to centuries-old traditions while sparking deeply personal creativity. My recent experience in a Chinese Arts and Culture class beautifully encapsulated this idea.
Volunteer Activity At Five Loaves Two Fish
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a volunteering activity that left a deep impression on me. It was a day dedicated to cultural exchange, creativity, and a wonderful reminder of the vibrancy of tradition — both Chinese and beyond.
Acrobatics, Pandas, Temple of Heaven, and More: Weekend Excursions in Beijing
The past few weekends have been some of the most exciting of the entire semester, full of trips to the zoo, mountain hikes, ancient parks, and more! Our first trip out of many was a visit to the Beijing Zoo. I had mentioned earlier in the semester that I wanted to see some pandas, since I was in China after all, and our TBC friend Andy made it happen.
Weekend Trip to Shanghai
Spending a whole semester in Beijing, I knew I had to make the trip down south and check out Shanghai, and the city certainly lived up to the expectations. Everyone describes Shanghai as this super futuristic metropolis, and after spending a weekend there I understand why it has this reputation.
Fall Photography Contest
The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived—The Beijing Center (TBC) is thrilled to announce the winners of our Fall Photography Contest! These beautiful photographs were captured through the lenses of our talented exchange students, who come to China each semester for a journey that truly expands their horizons.
Hiking the Great Wall for the First Time
Before coming to China, the one thing I knew I had to see was the Great Wall. From an American perspective it is the quintessential Chinese site, equally historical and astounding, and when one thinks of China one thinks of the Great Wall. Other famous sites like the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors are famous, but nothing compares to the Great Wall.
Exploring Beijing During the National Day Holiday
Although I have already spent a couple months in Beijing, I know there was still much more to see and explore, so I spent the National Day break trying see as many new places in the city as I could. National Day is celebrated on October 1 every year, and it is a celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
First Time Visiting the Forbidden City
September continued to be an exciting month, and on the same week of the Mid-Autumn Festival I got the chance to visit one of the most visited attractions in the world- the Forbidden City. I went on a Saturday with a group of students from The Beijing Center.
Mid-Autumn Festival as an American in Beijing
The past month has been very exciting, and I have experienced a ton of events and celebrations unique to China, a highlight being the Mid-Autumn Festival. I have heard of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the U.S. in Chinese class, and it has always seemed like an interesting holiday.
Dunhuang: Where Desert Sands Meet Timeless Culture
Nestled at the edge of the Gobi Desert, Dunhuang is a place where history, nature, and culture converge. Known as a key stop along the ancient Silk Road, this small town is a treasure trove of experiences, from breathtaking desert landscapes to rich cultural heritage.
Xiahe in the Fall
Staying in Xiahe in the colder season added a beautiful, if bracing, layer to the experience. Xiahe County, located in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu province, China, borders Qinghai province to the west. Upon arriving at the Baoma Hotel, where I stayed for two nights, I was greeted by crisp air and temperatures that hovered near freezing.
Xi’an as The Palette of Life
“If you want to witness China’s 500-year history, go to Beijing. If you want to witness China’s 2000-year history, go to Xi’an,” stated my tour guide. When I landed in Xi’an after a lengthy overnight trip, I was greeted with a steaming breath of summery wind in the midst of a gorgeous, blossoming metropolitan surroundings.
East to West: Experiencing China for the First Time Through the Silk Road
Over the course of about 10 days, we traveled well over 4,000 kilometers from Beijing all the way to Kashgar, stopping at many places along the way and seeing a variety of cities, landscapes, and cultures that I never thought I would get to experience.
Painting Snuff Bottles in the Beijing Hutongs as an American
Painting snuff bottles was one of the most unexpectedly enjoyable experiences I’ve had in China. Many of the excursions and activities I have been able to do through TBC are very famous, like the Forbidden City or the Summer Palace, so I have known what to expect and to be excited for.
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.
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.