Study Abroad with UNA
study abroad
Host Family Stay
On our second Saturday in China, we got to sleep late and pack to go stay with our host family. I was like a child on Christmas day. I was bouncing off the walls with excitement! Dustin compared it to sorority bid day–Chinese host family style. We cheered as we heard our friends’ names called to meet their match. When my name got called, everyone cheered and I grabbed my luggage and ran over to meet Hannah, my host! She was so adorable and I was thrilled to take a look inside her life. Hannah took me along … // Read more
Tour of Haihe River and The Eye
Although all of the experiences we had in China were eventful and breathtaking, the Haihe River Tour was yet another magnificent sight to see. I honestly had to take a second just to soak it all in and really comprehend what I was getting to do. Americans love to go out on boats during the summer. It’s just an American thing to do. So, we were all naturally excited when we found out we would be traveling down the Haihe River by boat. We were even more excited when we found out we could stand up on top of … // Read more
Our Dear Friend, Helen
Helen’s Restaurant and Bar is frequented by Americans as well as visitors from all over the country. It offers delicious food, American music, and an environment that makes you feel at home even in the middle of China. We went to Helen’s several times. The first night we went, several of our cabs got lost. My cab actually got dropped off across the street and we had to basically scale a wall in the middle of the highway. Just before going to KFC for directions, we found our friends and found Helen’s. When you walk in to Helen’s, … // Read more
A Warm Cup of China
I love coffee shops. I just love them. Whenever I travel, I always make sure to visit as many coffee shops as possible. It’s just my thing. So you can imagine my joy when I discovered that there was a coffee shop on the campus we are staying at. Walan Coffee Shop has Western food and music and some amazing coffee. I came for many meals, coffee breaks, late night chats, and just to hang out and find peace in the midst of a busy trip. Although it was fairly dirty and the service was terrible, we all … // Read more
People’s Park
People’s Park is a very famous park in China, but I have learned that people in China say that everything in China is famous. I have figured out that famous might just mean popular. Anyway, the park is incredible. Gorgeous scenery and very peaceful. The first time I went, there were not many people there– only a few people doing some Tai Chi and calligraphy and some men offering boat rides. However, my next visit included hundreds of people dancing, singing opera, playing instruments, doing Tai Chi and doing calligraphy on the streets. Two little old … // Read more
Started From the Bottom Now We’re Here
Two words: Mt. Tai. I have never seen something so astonishing in my entire life. Climbing Mt. Tai was hands down the most phenomenal experience of my twenty years on Earth. That is not an exaggeration. It was such a challenge and such a struggle to climb up 6,500 steps, but when I finished, I felt like I could conquer the world. We all encouraged each other and pushed ourselves. We even made some Chinese friends along the way! We kept asking how much further and someone finally answered us in English! She told us we … // Read more
True Cultural Experience
Call a cab in New York and call a cab in China and let me know what you think. It is quite a feat to get a cab in the middle of Tian Jin–far more difficult than getting a cab in New York City. With some help from a girl from Florida State University, we finally got a few cabs for our first night out on the town. Only four people can ride in a cab so we all had to split up. It is hard to even explain the traffic in Tian Jin. There are basically no road … // Read more
Toe Up About Confucius
Confucius is one of the most well-known philosophers in history, and we got the privilege of touring different areas related to his life. It was incredibly interesting to see the history all around me. The architecture is absolutely gorgeous. Aside from the gorgeous scenery and fascinating history around me, all I could think about was the toe I stubbed the day before. My poor little pinky toe was in so much pain. (I’m a baby, I know). It started pouring down rain, and I had forgotten my rain jacket. After getting soaked, I remembered that I … // Read more
Fine China
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 … // Read more
Tokyo Drift
After many hours of traveling, we made it to Tokyo, Japan for our 22-hour layover. We went on a bus tour of the city and got to explore some of the most popular streets. One of the most fascinating sites was the busiest pedestrian walkway in the world. There were hundreds and hundreds of people crossing the walkway when we pulled up to it. Tokyo was very similar to America’s New York–very busy and lots of shopping. It was, however, rather quiet to be such a big city. Our stay there was short-lived, but very worth it. I am … // Read more
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