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Orlandu, Apr 01 2008
Ok so, I don't normally do blogs, but I felt like this was a good time for one.
In a little over a month I'll be going to China for 5 weeks to study at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing. Although I've studied Chinese and Chinese culture for 2 years now, there's obviously still a lot to learn, and being placed in such an environment is going to be an interesting challenge for myself. It'll be my first time visiting a real foreign country (Canada doesn't count), and although I'm used to doing a lot of traveling and being away from home, this obviously doesn't quite compare.
Luckily for me, the teacher I'll have while I'm there is actually my current teacher in the USA, so I'll already be well adapted to her teaching methods, and I'll be accompanied by 5 of my classmates. So, I'll have some good company from back home. But aside from that, I'm gonna have a lot of adapting to do.
Basically the general schedule is this: we'll be in class for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, from 8 AM - noon and then we're free for the day. On the weekends, we'll be visiting some tourist attractions and other cities, such as Xi'an and Shanghai. But as of now, that's all I really know. It seems as if the general plan is for us to have most of the day on the weekdays to do some exploring on our own.
I guess the reason why I'm posting this here is to see if anyone else out there has any insight to offer, or any suggestions of what places to check out while I'm in Beijing, or if I'm really lucky, maybe someone here knows the BFSU area well.
Or if there happen to be any native Chinese out there that would be willing to speak with me on a more personal basis and help me with my language, or Beijing-related things (or even just China) in general, that would be VERY much appreciated =]
Oh and, I already know a lot of the basic stuff like make sure to bring toilet paper with you to public restrooms, don't drink the water, Chinese don't like ice, etc. etc. so it's not as if I'm totally new to everything, but it'd be nice to be as prepared as I can be.
If people are interested enough, I could keep updating my blog once the trip rolls around, I'd be glad to do that. If not, oh well I guess.
Anyway, give me your comments people, they're much appreciated!
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