GRANDMAS
I will never remember the real name of this place, but I know I’m in the right place when I see this cute old lady smile at me. Once you go inside, the first thing you will notice is that even though the place is probably smaller than our dorm room it somehow always fits everybody.
FORBIDDEN CITY
The Forbidden City, one of the first place we think of when we think of Beijing. Well, you can find all the information about it online or in an innumerable amount of books. However, I will describe in here how my experience was when I visited it.
A HUMBLE EXPERIENCE
When I made the decision to spend my Fall semester in China, everyone told me studying abroad was the best decision they’ve ever made. A couple months later, I started receiving e-mails about things to prepare for my two-week excursion through Western China before classes started in early September. I knew I was going to feel excited because I was going to a new country, frustrated because of the language barrier, challenged due to the rigorous academic courses, and personally, homesick since I have never been away from my family for this long.
SURVIVING AT THE CANTEEN
The first day I couldn’t understand anything, there was no order, lots of people passing by and food I could not identify. I took all the courage I had and approached the vendor pointed at something that looked edible and hoped it would not give me a stomachache. It was scary but my first day at the UIBE canteen was an adventure. Now I lost my fears and I even made some friends at one of the little restaurants.
THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
The best experiences in life are those that others don’t believe actually happened. Experiences that seem so surreal that you aren’t even sure if it actually happened, or if it was a dream. Studying abroad in China can present you with opportunities that you never otherwise would fathom.
THE KING OF ALL SWEET TREATS
China is well known for its diversity of food dishes. This diversity leads to many local dishes based off of provinces in China, which may taste exotic to many foreigners. My all-time favorite Chinese dessert/snack is the famous 蛋挞 dàntà.
CHINA 2.0
This past fall when I arrived at TBC, I remember hearing all of the staff talk about how TBC was a community and program that wanted to create long-lasting relations with its students. They didn’t just want kids to visit China and travel around for a semester- they wanted students who were interested in using their semester at TBC as a springboard for their future. I had the chance to meet a few TBC alumni who had made the leap to live in Beijing, and at the time was not sure how I would ever be able to get the opportunity to return.
TRAINS, PLANES, AND CAMELS
A journey through the Silk Road
AUGUST 23: Beijing to Lanzhou
It took 20,000 steps and 100 flights of steps, but I made it to the top of the temple. After the climb, seeing the sunset over the city was absolutely breathtaking.
GREEN BEANS
In my opinion, one of the best parts about living at the University of International Business and Economics, TBC’s host university, is the street right outside of campus’s East Gate. Every night from about 6-10pm, the street is always bustling with street vendors and a myriad of delicious restaurants. If you are looking for a small snack or full meal, the options are endless.
LIVING IN A HOMESTAY
Living with a Chinese roommate during the spring ’15 semester was one of my favorite aspects of TBC. My roommate and I became extremely close by the end of the semester. It was sad to move out once the semester ended, however my summer internship at TBC has given me a new living experience: living with a host family.
MAKE-UP CLASSES: A REASON TO GET OUT
At TBC, classes are scheduled very simply: aside from Chinese classes, each class is held just once a week, for two hours and forty-five minutes. The time slots are 1:30–4:15pm, 4:30–7:15pm, and 7:30–10:15pm. While two and a half hours may seem like a really long time to sit in class, every professor is understanding about giving one or two breaks per class period so we can breathe and talk and hang out for a little bit.
CHINA: ADJUSTING TO AN EXTRAORDINARY AND NEW ENVIRONMENT
It is a privilege to study here; I feel truly honored and humbled by my first several weeks in China. I have been so hospitably received that I feel that 对外经贸大学 (University of International Business and Economics) has already become my home. These past weeks in China I have experienced new things every minute of every day.
CHINA: FIRST IMPRESSIONS
China. It didn’t seem real. As the plane landed, the grogginess of my jet lag, slowly faded away. Am I really here? Is this really where I will be for the next semester? Waves of anticipation and nausea hit me, making my stomach churn. The weeks of preparation and studying, slowly vanished as I took in my surroundings. Swarms of people filled the airport, some visitors, some coming back home.
TWO DOWN, TWO TO GO!
你好! I have officially been living and studying in Beijing for two weeks and have two more weeks to go! I have to admit that I can’t believe it’s already the third week, it really has flown by. I have looked forward to going to China for as long as I can remember and thanks to China Encounter it was made a reality. These weeks have been filled with fun and fascinating trips to popular tourist spots, restaurants, and “real Beijing” locations.
ÚLTIMA ENTRADA DESDE BEIJING
El aeropuerto de Beijing tiene tres terminales; la uno, la dos y la tres. La tercera es para vuelos internacionales, la primera para uso exclusivo de los miembros de la élite del partido y la segunda para vuelos domésticos y algunos destinos cercanos. Yo estoy en las segunda con Lance, Stephanie, Victoria y un chico que nunca habla, creo que se llama John. Juntos esperamos a que las aerolíneas abran el escritorio del check in para registrar nuestras maletas.
MI MUCHEDUMBRE
Lo que pasa en occidente —o al menos en en que yo vivo— es que las personas se desplazan y usualmente poco importa a dónde vayan o con quién. Yo me muevo entre la muchedumbre de la universidad y la gente ni se entera, así cómo yo no me entero de ellos y los refiero como «muchedumbre».
CHINESE SINGLES’ DAY Y TODO LO QUE PASA A LAS 11:11 DEL 11
Esta tarde, mientras comía en la cafetería conocí a dos nuevas amigas. Dos estudiantes de mundo a portas de graduarse de su maestría en traducción. Las dos se rieron cuando les pregunté por el tal Singles’ Day. Según me contaron, la festividad es una nueva práctica que se celebra principalmente entre los estudiantes universitarios por pura diversión. En concordancia, varios bares en Beijing ofrecen actividades para aquellos en busca del amor (qué cursi) y por eso también Munch, el restaurante estadounidense favorito de mis los gringos acá, organizó una sesión de citas rápidas en las que ofrecen pizza y café por solo 50 yuanes, la módica suma de 15.800 pesos colombianos.
PINGYAO
Ando en Pingyao, una de las ciudades más lindas que he visitado en China. Mientras merodeo por estos lares me siento como explorador de NatGeo, Discovery Travel and Living y Lonely Planet; todo a la vez.
PRIMERO DE OCTUBRE EN TIANANMEN SQUARE
Un aplauso para las pesonas de Google que vinieron con la idea de celebrar con doodles las fechas, los lugares, los personajes y las ideas del putas que han significado cambios en las maneras del mundo. Frecuentemente me saca una sonrisa ver homenajeados a los que admiro en las diferentes versiones del logo del buscador.
TÉ, CHOCOLATE Y CAFÉ
Estoy en el punto en el que, si estuviera en mi casa, me levantaría del escritorio y prepararía un buen café. En cambio del sabor medio amargo y la cafeína que ayuda a escribir, voy a la cocina de los dormitorios a rellenar mi termo con agua caliente para preparar más té.