So far, this is how much of my Chinese experience has been going; The campus staff tells me to go somewhere, I have no idea where I'm going, who I'm talking to, or what I'm ordering, and then the Chinese roommates swoop in and save the day. I think this is intended though - they want us to try new things and see what we can do on our own, but they also want to make sure we're not too lost while we're doing it!
I'm surprised at how much I like Beijing. I think I came in expecting to dislike it at first, just because everything is so different, and I think it's more typical to hear about the bad things in China rather than the good; but so far I've been enjoying everything! We are staying at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, which is about the size of Loyola Chicago back home. I really like the campus so far - we get to meet tons of native Chinese students and join in their activities and student life, so I feel like it's much more immersive than Rome was, back when we had our little Rome Center American bubble. I have a Chinese roommate named Cathy, and have already met many other Chinese students who have been subsequently coming to my rescue ever since. The Chinese students are some of the absolute nicest people I have ever met in my life, and they are amazingly helpful and accommodating. I'm afraid to even casually mention that I need something around one of them because then they will immediately stop what they're doing and go out of their way to help me get whatever I need! It's really fascinating to talk with them and hear about their experiences growing up, their hometowns, and everything they know about China.
One crazy thing did manage to happen to me at the airport however: It turned out my luggage didn't make my flight, and was stuck in Chicago for a few days. I've been borrowing clothes from friends for the past three days, and the status of my luggage has been a topic of interest among everyone here, with all my fellow classmates constantly asking my if I recieved my luggage yet. When one of the Chinese roommates knocked on my door this morning with my suitcase in hand, I was so happy I wanted to hug him and my bag! And everyone cheered when I told them I finally got my luggage!
Our time has been taken up with orientation activities this week, and we start classes Monday. I will try to post more about China soon, I feel like I have a lot of good stories already! And I will also start taking pictures now that I finally have my camera (which was in my luggage) and post them as well!
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| My room at TBC |
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| My desk, complete with a stock of bottled water |
