After arriving in Beijing, we took a bus to Tian Jin Foreign Studies University (TFSU). As the bus drove through the city of Tian Jin, we were all in amazement. It is like nothing I have ever seen. I immediately fell in love with the city.

The university is its own little town. It is absolutely beautiful, and I felt right at home. The dorm rooms are incredibly nice, and there is even a television with a few American channels that I never even wanted to turn on and watch. There was too much fun to be had and exploring to be done. The showers were just a drain with a curtain, so there was not tub to separate it from the rest of the bathroom.

We had to immediately put our nicest dress clothes on, throw some makeup on, and look presentable for our welcome dinner. Keep in mind we had been traveling non-stop and did not look like the most polished bunch at the time. Somehow we managed to look decent and had a huge feast. I knew I would love it here after I devoured the huge amount of food prepared for us.

After dinner, I unpacked my things and made myself feel right at home. We ventured to Century Mart right down the corner where they have everything you could ever imagine. It is very much like the Wal-Mart of America. We bought necessities for very low prices, except for the towels that were rather expensive. Most towels cost anywhere from 7 to 12 U.S. dollars which is far more than what anything else cost at the store.

After dripping sweat in Century Mart because of the government regulations on air, we got settled in to what would be our home for the next three weeks. Tired is an understatement for how we felt after days of traveling. I slept so great that night, and my body began to adjust to the time difference. I knew I wasn’t used to it yet when I woke up at 5:30 that morning–that never happens. I usually cannot wake up on time to save my life. Being early for breakfast was quite a change for me. China is making me a new woman.

Kaitlin Chappell

Ni hao! My name is Kaitlin Chappell. I am a junior (soon to be senior) at the University of North Alabama. I am majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in marketing. My dream is to be a news reporter and eventually an anchor on Good Morning America. I love to talk and I love to meet new people and hear their stories. I love love and laughing. Coffee shops are one of my obsessions. Traveling is another. I will be studying abroad in China for three weeks at Tian Jian University. I will be exploring several different areas of China, learning the language and customs, and meeting the people. I will blog and post pictures and videos to capture my trip. Join me on my adventures in the great land of China.

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