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. Their introduction to TBC began with a comprehensive orientation led by Simon, our executive director, and Queenie, our VP of student affairs. They covered the academic program of TBC and the essentials of student life at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), our host university.
After the orientation, we provided them with a welcome package, including TBC merchandise, SIM cards, and student IDs. They toured TBC headquarters and participated in ice-breaking activities to discuss their motivations for coming to China, ranging from business to culture and art. Later, we toured the UIBE campus and stopped by the delivery lockers, where they learned how to take their items out. This tour allowed them to familiarize themselves with their surroundings and key facilities, giving them a sense of the history and community they are now a part of.
In the following days, orientation focused on setting expectations and gathering their first impressions of China. With the guidance of TBC staff and interns, the students successfully set up their bank accounts and linked them to China’s payment platforms, WeChat and Alipay, making their stay in Beijing smoother. During their follow-up orientations, they also discussed academic policy and regulations as well as the credit and grading system.
Later in the week, we ventured out to nearby malls. First, we visited a store where they can find different foods and snacks. For lunch, they tried different dishes like curry and beef noodles. Although it was pouring rain, that was just part of the adventure, because later they visited a popular supermarket with two floors to explore. They found exciting fruits and veggies they hadn’t seen before. Also, they found some items they needed for daily use and familiarized themselves with the area around the school.
Recently, Thomas Michael, a professor at The Beijing Center (TBC), was interviewed our staff and shared with us his perspective on studying Daoist thought and living in China. Professor Michael is a researcher at the School of Philosophy at Beijing Normal University.
Five Loaves and Two Fish is a volunteer organization centered on providing support and international education opportunities to the local migrant children who comprise its student body.
Snuff bottles represent a centuries-old cultural exchange between Europeans and the Chinese, where the import of tobacco products met the craftsmanship and artistry of Manchurian Beijing in the height of the Qing Dynasty. Manchu culture relished in entertainment and creature comforts, and snuff, being a mixture of ground tobacco and dried herbs, became very popular.
It’s not every day we get to make history! This week, The Beijing Center proudly welcomed—for the first time ever—27 curious and enthusiastic students from the University of Lima, along with Internationalization Coordinator Claudia Valencia and David Barriga, our partner from AsiaB Consulting, for an unforgettable Beijing adventure.