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So it has been a while since I have updated my blog, and so much has happened since I've been here for only two weeks!
Class has been a lot of fun--we are learning 30 new words a day so the pace is intense, but it is a lot of fun and having to only study Chinese makes learning a lot easier, especially when every day is a constant session of listening comprehension. We were matched up with tutors at the beginning of our time here, and we rotate every two weeks! We are required to fill out quite a lengthy journal about China, and we have a mandatory 4 hours a week of tutoring with them. This has been one of the coolest experiences yet, because all of the tutors are students here at 南开大学 studying "Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages". My tutor's English name is Scarlett, and the assignments were very tedious but helpful. It included things like how to greet people, give compliments, receive compliments, what to talk about when meeting new people, and a lot of Chinese slang that we should be aware about. Then, we discussed things like ordering food at Chinese restaurants, asking for the bill, what to say if you have a complaint or were given the wrong food, and other important and useful things that our previous Chinese classes only briefly touched on. We also were taught the formal or most efficient way to bargain for goods as well, so everything was really interesting! Of course, in my personal opinion, the most interesting part was asking about the culture in China. Scarlett had a lot of interesting things to say, and it is way too long to write on here! However, her teaching us the slang of how people from Tianjin people count to how they say "What's wrong with you?" is unique.
Class is also a lot of fun. We are taught by Mei Laoshi, who is a native of Tianjin that teaches at Nankai University. She is in her Masters Program at MSU and comes home every summer to Tianjin to teach our study abroad at Nankai University. She completed her undergraduate studies here, so she is extremely helpful with us getting to know campus. At the supermarket yesterday, my roommate Ben and I actually ran into a MSU grad! He graduated a number of years ago, and has lived in Tianjin for three years teaching English at Nankai University with TESOL and a Telecommunications undergrad degree. He has a Chinese wife here, and was also very helpful and welcoming to us!
I visited a number of markets, went to Ancient Culture Street to bargain for some beautiful Chinese paintings, went to a Chinese gym to work out, learned many Korean and Japanese customs, visited the section of Tianjin that is Western ate a lot of 大饼鸡蛋, and have had an all-around great time! Adventures of boiling water, to buying cheap Fanta, to sitting by the large lake in the center of Nankai University with great company, it has been an awesome experience so far. Four hours of Chinese a day is also really improving my comprehension, speaking, and most of all is making me more comfortable to speak!
The most fun experience so far has definitely been the people. We go to a place called Helen's often for food and drinks, and there you find a Western-style restaurant that is largely frequented by international students. There, we often sit at random tables and meet new people to talk to. Last night, for example, we had one table filled with people from 7 countries: China, the U.S., France, Singapore, Japan, Greece, and Korea. What a neat experience...rarely in America have I ever seen such a thing! I had a long discussion with a Greek man about many cultural experiences for about 3 hours! The coolest part is that the only way to communicate is through Chinese or English. The the most beautiful thing about this is that everyone communicates using a language other than their native one for the majority of the time, and that there is something innately human about all of us: we laugh together, tell jokes, and truly enjoy each others opinions, lifestyles, values, and company. Surprisingly enough, some of my most memorable experiences have been at Helen's. The company is fantastic, and I know I will remember these experiences for the rest of my life. So much to learn, and so much that we take for granted...it's crazy to think about.
Life in the international student dorms are also an extremely enjoyable experience. Across the hall from us and down the hall from us are some Japanese and French students. They are all fantastic people, and we love having a great time goofing around, exchanging cultural food/music, playing games, or just sharing laughs. It is so refreshing that language and culture doesn't transcend human ability to communicate and understand each other in ways that language isn't a factor--it really amazes me. Attempting to put into words the experiences that I have shared with this people would be ruined by any words that I attempt to phrase it in, so I will keep it short in saying that every day here is so full of life and people that love to learn about others as much as I do.
It has certainly already been such an eye-opening experience, and really reinforces the fact that I really do love that I decided to study International Relations, Comparative Cultures and Politics, and Chinese--I can say I truly love what I am doing and learning. Let's hope it translates into an OK job, though, right? : P I can't wait to make even more friends from all over the world and to travel when I have the money! I had already previously decided that I wanted to travel around, but now more than ever I realize that life is short and that before I begin what could be considered a "traditional" American lifestyle, I need to travel; life is not about being comfortable in your bubble for me, but moving outside of it as often as possible!
This weekend, I am going to leave early on Saturday morning for a tour with a bunch of Nankai University students to a nature area and temple two hours from Tianjin! A new French-born Chinese-Cambodian friend of mine and I are all going, and I think I may be the only American on the trip. I'm really excited to be doing something kind of unique from the rest of the Americans. It has nothing to do with not liking anyone (I love my group so much, SO FUNNY!) but I am really not here to learn about American culture!
An article written about our arrival (in Chinese): http://hyxy.nankai.edu.cn/Article.asp?cid=4&aid=302
Here's to a fantastic first two weeks, and another great six that I am certainly expecting. I hope everyone who took the time to read this is well, and I look forward to hearing from you!
- comments
Lindsey Darling "I need to travel; life is not about being comfortable in your bubble for me, but moving outside of it as often as possible!" ^I love this! I'm glad you're enjoying China so much, I'm looking forward to seeing all these pictures!
Austin friend Adam!! This is wonderful! It seems like you're having an incredible experience. We have a lot of shared feelings and thoughts, to say the least. Perhaps now you understand more clearly why i moved to Paris. My one looming thought relating to the article: what if rather than moving outside of your bubble, you're actually expanding it and becoming a more open-minded and curious humain?
Aunt Lynne I think you need a course on time management (Ha! Ha!). Helen's sounds like a great place. Have one for me!
Kita Welcome on board. It sounds like you had a great first day at work! I am happy that you've been seetcled to assist the Mission IT crew, and get a chance to interact with our employees and leaders. I hope that you will also bring back great memories to your friends at different universities. Wishing you the best of luck and a great experience!