Study Abroad with UNA
world
Geofrey the Suitcase
So, since I bought so many souvenirs in China, I had to have another suitcase to get it all back to America. I had planned on getting an inexpensive, designer suitcase to take my things back to America in. Things didn’t really go as planned. I had ran out of money and my credit card would not let me withdraw money. Luckily, Dr. Gordon and several other friends let me borrow money until I could pay them back in America. So, I ventured to Culture Street with David, Caleb, and Chelsea to find a cute suitcase. The struggle … // Read more
Beijing, Round 1
With a few days left in China, we made a day trip to Beijing. We got to experience Olympic Park and the 798 Art District. Beijing was a completely different world than Tianjin. It was much bigger, and much more upscale. Olympic Park is very large, and hard to cover in an hour, so we bought a ticket to see inside the Eagle’s Nest, which is where the track and field competitions took place. It was breathtaking to stand where so many incredible athletes have stood. I got my picture taken touching the track with my foot, of course. … // Read more
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
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
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
Twas the Night Before China
Packing, trying to stay awake so I can sleep on the plane, and fighting off a virus: that’s what I am doing as I prepare to leave America and travel to China. I am a terrible packer because I bring way more than I will ever need, but I used vacuum pack bags in order to bring plenty of clothes. I am apparently a very high maintenance traveler, but I’m okay with that. I woke up this morning with a terrible stomach virus. That’s just my luck, by the way. I hope it isn’t an omen of how the trip … // Read more
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