2024 is the year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. My birth year of 1988 would also put me in the category of the dragon. So dare I say, this was my year and this is the year I went to China!
My major at Indiana University is social work, which I consider the business of people. This was the statement I used in my paper to apply to be selected to the China study abroad program. My reason for wanting to be selected for this program was, I wanted to travel, and learn about the culture in another country and the opportunity to receive credit hours towards my degree. I was so excited when I was selected to participate I knew that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. From May 20th through May 31st, I along with 12 other of Indiana Universities finest explored the country of China and 4 history filled cities: Beijing, Luoyang, Suzhou and Shanghai.
In week 3 we began our journey to China after two long flights we arrived in Beijing and got straight into activities. As tired as we were, exploring the Narrow streets in the rickshaw was a great way to jump right into the deep seeded history Beijing had to offer. From the initial shock of the different arcitectual styles ranging between modern and traditional. Getting a taste of street food and treats. exploring the small shops and emerging in the culture shock and navigating not speaking or understanding the native language. In the next day exploring Indiana University Beijing office learning about the impact of study abroad programs and what a learning experience they are. Visiting The Temple of Heaven, Tiaan'anmen Square and The Forbidden city after reading and learning its history was an experience I will never forget. As I look back at my photos, to be there in person and take my memories and mesh with the history I was able to get a better understanding of it. On Friday, the day had finally came we were gonna visit one of the wonders of the world, The Great Wall of China. The whole experience from the trip to Badaling from the busy metro area of Beijing showed off the diversity of the area. The cable ride up to The Great Wall was so much fun and the views at the top were breath taking. No picture I took could compare to what my Two eyes saw. Along my walk on The Great Wall noticing the way the walk was built one sided to keep out the enemy and small window openings to look out and fire at an opposing enemy brought me to imagine what that looked like all those years ago. On that Friday we also visited The Tsinghua University art museum where the art was different from anything I have ever seen before. We also visited the Olympic garden, to see the Water cube and Birds Nest to yet again see the diversity in Chinese architecture. On Saturday we made our way to the Train station where we would be taking a bullet train to our next Chinese city, Luoyang. The Bullet train is an efficient means of transportation with its high speed of 295 kph got us to our destination in half the time. I was also able to try the special menu at the McDonald's to see the difference in franchises from the States to China. We arrived in Luoyang in 4.5 hours and went straight to see the LongMen Grotto's. I learned that these were built in 3 years and to see that level of work done so quickly and efficiently and learn its history and how Japan destroyed a lot of what we were looking at was quite the experience.
My favorite part of my trip to China was my visit to Shaolin Temple monastery. where we watched a Kung fu show, visited the temples and after ate a traditional vegan Monk lunch and after attended a martial arts class with a real kung fu master!
In week 4 of this experience which was week 2 of our China trip we were in Suzhou, China and Shanghai. In Suzhou I became ill and was able to participate in some activities like The Lions Grove Garden, Cold Mountain temple and the water towns. Each city more magical and deeply rooted with ancient Chinese history. The water towns were like nothing I have ever seen before. Like a version of Venice in Italy a private paradise where everything is being preserved and treasured. Our final stop on our China adventure was Shanghai, my experience in Shanghai was different from that of my classmates. While my class was exploring the futuristic city of Shanghai and attractions like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, The Bund and the river cruise on Huangpu River, I was exploring the downtown area of where are hotel was and the China Hospital systems. My impression of the hospital was that it smelled like incense which it wouldn't be uncommon considering the common practice of lighting incense for religious purposes. The Medical providers never left their stations and the patients had to go station to station to get services like labs medicines, test results and etc. The elevators were overcrowded but besides all the people I was only there for 2 hours and received my medication at the end of the visit. It was fast and efficient and I was impressed. Walking around the city and exploring my surroundings and the different types of architecture in comparison to other Chinese cities we visited. I also observed more Christian Churches in Shanghai. I felt also felt the most comfortable and safe in Shanghai as far as crossing streets and navigating through traffic. Finally It was time to make our way back home to The States.
China was a wonderful experience for me, I had so much fun and learned so much. I even met some great people from my campus and our other IU campuses. My biggest take away from my China adventure was, I experienced what it was like to be a foreigner in another country where I didn't speak the language or understand what was being said to me and I felt fear and felt confusion just trying to do simple things like pay for something at a store or restaurant or ask a simple directional question. It reminded me to be kind and understanding to the people that come to our country, who don't speak English and have different customs and us simply responding as usual can cause them fear and confusion. 2024 has been an interesting year. The year of the dragon signifies strength, power, wisdom and luck. The year of the dragon was a year I was born in and and upon its return it was the year I went on my China adventure! 感谢您的阅读 ( Thank you for reading)