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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.
By Almudena R., Loyola University Chicago, TBC Fall 2017 Student
*Scroll down to read in Spanish*
Beginnings in Beijing
I’ve been in China for almost a month. And I’ve never been happier. I keep saying it to everyone I know, but I cannot help it. I feel like I’m flying, moving through my days with an aura of joy surrounding me, leading me into another hour of exploring the beauty this country has.
When I first arrived in Beijing, on August 13th, I expected to feel uncomfortable, out of place, shocked by the difference between the Chinese culture and the Western cultures I’ve grown up in. Instead, I felt curiosity, admiration, joy and welcomed into a community that in less than a month has become my home. I’ll admit I felt a little lost walking around the University of International Business and Economics, but I didn’t mind. Because I got to see a small lake in the middle of campus, cute hole-in-the-wall restaurants, little shops next to tea stands, and people walking around like myself, unafraid of not being in the right place.
I had about a week to explore UIBE and its surroundings, getting lost more times, visiting the Olympic Park and Tiananmen Square, eating more dumplings and noodles than I thought I was capable of, and struggling to find milk for my morning cereal, deciding to settle for delicious milk tea instead.
After a wonderful week in Beijing, visiting nearby bars and parks, we started our adventure on the Silk Road. Never in my life have I felt as fulfilled as on that adventure along the whole country of China, which took me to busy markets in the cities, small restaurants in the South of China, a stargazing night in the desert, a camel ride to watch the sunset, beautiful mosques and temples, and to learn about different cultures within one of the most interesting countries in the world. I spent two weeks sleeping in 14-hour trains, after having brushed my teeth with bottled water just to be safe; living out of the same four t-shirts and pair of pants; eating so many different dishes I couldn’t name them all; writing about my long days, all full of color and joy; and getting to know the people I will be spending more than three months with.
Now, back in Beijing, all that I lived and saw on the Silk Road feels like a dream, like it happened to someone else. I’m looking at the pictures and my throat is closing because I am so lucky that I had the chance to travel so much and that I still have endless sunrises and sunsets left in Beijing.
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Principios en Beijing
Ya llevo casi un mes en China. Y nunca he sido más feliz. Se lo digo a todos los que conozco, pero no puedo evitarlo. Siento que estoy volando, moviéndome a través de mis días con un aura de felicidad que me rodea, llevándome a otra hora de explorar la belleza de este país.
Cuando llegué a Beijing, el 13 de agosto, esperaba sentirme incómoda, fuera de lugar, sorprendida por la diferencia entre la cultura china y las culturas occidentales en las que he crecido. En lugar de eso, sentí curiosidad, admiración, alegría y acogida en una comunidad que en menos de un mes se ha convertido en mi hogar. Admito que me sentí un poco perdida caminando por la Universidad de Negocios Internacionales y Economía de Beijing. Pero no me importó, porque ví un pequeño lago en el centro del campus, pequeños restaurantes, pequeñas tiendas al lado de puestos de té y gente caminando como yo, sin miedo a no estar en el lugar correcto.
Tuve alrededor de una semana para explorar UIBE y sus alrededores, perdiéndome más veces, visitando el Parque Olímpico y Tainanmen Square, comiendo más dumplings y fideos de lo que pensaba que era capaz, y buscando leche para mis cereales del desayuno, pero acostumbrándome a beber té de leche en su lugar.
Después de una semana de visitas a distintos bares, restaurantes, comenzó nuestra aventura en la Ruta de la Seda. Nunca en mi vida me he sentido tan llena como en esa aventura por todo el país de China, una aventura que me llevó a mercados muy concurridos en las ciudades, pequeños restaurantes en el sur de China, una noche de estrellas en el desierto, un paseo en camello para ver la puesta de sol, hermosas mezquitas y templos y aprender sobre diferentes culturas dentro de uno de los países más interesantes del mundo. Pasé dos semanas durmiendo en trenes de 14 horas, después de haberme lavado con agua embotellada por si acaso; viviendo de las mismas cuatro camisetas y pantalones; comiendo tantos platos diferentes que no podría nombrarlos todos, escribiendo sobre mis largos días, todos llenos de color y alegría; y conociendo a las personas con las que estaré pasando más de tres meses.
Ahora, en Beijing, todo lo que viví y vi en la Ruta de la Seda parece un sueño, como si le hubiera sucedido a otra persona. Estoy mirando las fotos y mi garganta está cerrando, porque tengo mucha suerte de haber tenido la oportunidad de viajar por tal país.
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.
The Beijing Center is thrilled to have hosted Xavier High School faculty members Headmaster Kim, history educator Edward, Fr. Spinale, assistant professor at Fordham University, and alumnus James and his wife Penny during their week-long visit to Beijing.