Changing China, Changing Me
Leah Masten in Tiananmen Square
Beijing has been an amazing experience so far.
It is hard to describe because it is so dynamic, complex and constantly changing. I cannot possibly say how happy I am that I chose to study abroad and that I chose to come to China.
It is exciting being here before the 2008 Olympics. All the people are very proud and excited to be hosting it in August. There is a neat energy as the city prepares for it, they are doing a lot of work to ensure air quality, and planting lots of trees, flowers and plants to make it look beautiful for the international eye.
The first thing that stands out is the gap between prosperity and disparity. In the market area by my dorm it is common to see a mule pulling a fruit wagon and a Mercedes honking to get by. There is also the contrast between the ancient and the new. Structures from the 17th century tucked away with in this massive modern city.
I can’t talk about China with out mentioning a taxi cab ride. Let me start by saying lanes are suggestions, and honking the horn is a used in place of a turn signal, which makes for a roller coaster like adrenaline rush, where at the end you are happy to be alive. I don't know how it all seems to work but it just does, and it is so much fun to roll with it. Did I mention the food in China is ridiculously tasty? So flavorful and delicious! I have never lived until I ate Peking Roasted Duck...part of me wonders how I will come home without it. I am not ashamed to say I may have an addiction.
One of the coolest parts of the program was being here for the Chinese New Year. The sky of Beijing was lit up like a hundred times the largest firework display in the US. They take there fireworks very seriously here. It sounded like we were in a war zone since a lot of them are illegal. For the New Year, a couple of other students and I went to a home stay where we celebrated the New Year with the sweetest Chinese family. We all made dumplings together and had a wonderful dinner before the fireworks began.
This, hands down, [has been] one of the most invaluable experience of my life.
There has been so much opportunity to travel on my program. A group of us went to Xi'an for a long weekend where we saw the Terracotta Warriors and walked around the city wall (the worlds most well preserved city walls). We have been sight seeing all over Beijing too, visiting the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temples etc... We will also be traveling for two weeks to Shanghai and Nanjing as part of one of our history courses.
I will no doubt take from this experience a more balanced world view, new perceptions, and a greater understanding of myself and my country. This, hands down, [has been] one of the most invaluable experiences of my life.
Start Your Own Adventure
Leah Masten is a Senior Communications Major with Asian Studies Minor from Spokane, WA. She is currently participating in the IES Contemporary Issues in China Program in Beijing, China.