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[amethysted_ink]

China hovers before me, just in my reach, and I want so badly to make it work this time that I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't.  I've met with two advisers and tomorrow I go to the doctor to make sure I'm healthy enough to go.  She'll also tell me if I need any special vaccinations before going abroad.

I can't explain how badly I want this

Comments

[til_leie]

I REALLY hope you go. I can honestly say that spending my summer in China was the most wonderful experience of my life thus far--that I learned more academically and more about myself than in all my years of studying. And I definitely know what you mean about studying the language reawakening your intellect--it's so hard, but so worth it! Let me know how it works out!

[amethysted_ink]

What part of China did you go to?

AND we should practice Mandarin sometime. Or get Muping to tutor us. ;)

[til_leie]

We actually spent all six weeks moving around the country, in order to see the disparity between the big coastal cities and inland towns. But I went to (quite a long list, sorry!): Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Yiwu, Xi'an, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Langzhou, Kunming, Lijiang, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. I think I might have missed a few but...you get the hint. :)

And we should DEFINITELY practice Mandarin sometime. And I don't know if this is just me, but I am so insanely BEYOND jealous that Mu is there in Beijing for the entire semester. Seriously, let me know how everything spans out! I'm so excited for you!!

[amethysted_ink]

Wow, you really did get to see a lot. What were your observations?

If this works out (and it's almost certainly going to now - yay!), I will be spending a semester in Nanjing. Did you happen to swing through that part of the country?

How long have you been taking Chinese for? I've only been taking it for six weeks, so you'll definitely be a little more advanced. But that's ok. I totally want to practice sometime. :)

Zaijian! ;)

[twitchhitter]

I'm so excited for you. And more than a little jealous...

[spider_matt]

That's pretty awesome. Hope you get to go. What will you be up to in China? Where will you be living. I found it pretty astounding how much better foreigners have it in China than Chinese citizens. Depending on where and how you live, you may have full access to the internet and great living conditions. I only saw a little of how average Chinese citizens live and get most of my information from the news but I think it's safe to say foreigners have it much better there. I definitely recommend immersing yourself in their culture as much as possible for "compare and contrast" purposes when looking at how China treats Westerners.

[amethysted_ink]

I'll be at Nanjing Normal University in (big surprise) Nanjing. There is a political science program that is direct credit, so that's what I'll be doing. Plus getting around as much of the rest of the area as I can!

I will have high speed internet, cable TV, and housekeeping in a "fully furnished, modern apartment." There is a definite discrepancy in how I will be living compared to how some native Chinese live. Like you said though, this will be an opportunity to immerse myself as much as possible. I don't want to just hang out in my little apartment all day pretending I'm in the U.S.