Four students arrived in Beijing on May 13. As the program officially starts on the 15th, they are pretty much on themselves in these two days. None of them speak Chinese. Yesterday they managed to find their way to the Summer Palace and got back safely (and tired). They took buses, subways and they walked a lot. They communicated in English, by gestures, and at the end of the day when I met them, they remained polite and cheerful.
To understand a new culture is not an easy task but it can be fun. It's good to know the language, but more importantly, it takes some courage and an open and curious mind. Undoubtedly, the Bush School students in this journey have both.
The first group are now somewhere in Beijing, continuing to learn new things and experienc different cultures. Six more members of the group will arrive today. We all will gather for dinner this evening. Our group adventure will start then.
More later.
To understand a new culture is not an easy task but it can be fun. It's good to know the language, but more importantly, it takes some courage and an open and curious mind. Undoubtedly, the Bush School students in this journey have both.
The first group are now somewhere in Beijing, continuing to learn new things and experienc different cultures. Six more members of the group will arrive today. We all will gather for dinner this evening. Our group adventure will start then.
More later.
I can't wait to join you. See you in a few days.
ReplyDeleteThe first night in Beijing we had to find a restaurant with pictures/English translation. Note: when 3 white guys and I, an Asian female, walk into a restaurant in Beijing, everyone expects me to be a translator. Too bad for them I didn't speak a word of Chinese. We had some difficulty asking for water. When we finally figured it out and the water was brought to us it was a tiny cup of hot water.
ReplyDeleteSummer Palace was beautiful and the fact that all the signs have both Chinese and English (esp. the English) helped us navigate around. We climbed up, walked around, explored, and even took a boat to an island - all within the giant Palace.
Still adjusting to the time difference (13 hrs ahead of CS) by waking up ridiculously early and wanting to fall asleep during dinner.