OVERCOMING OBSTACLES - MEGAN DOWNEY

My time in China so far has been a great experience for me. Since it is my first time out of the country I am very interested in learning about the culture and the people. Seeing the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Dazu Stone Carving has allowed me to improve my understanding of Chinese history and their way of life. This has helped me better understand diversity and how culture varies around the world.

My favorite part of the trip has been getting to know my partners, Chinese students here at CTBU who help us international travelers to better adjust to being in China, as well as students from all around the world. I’ve also become closer with the Widener students on the trip. I have enjoyed hearing about so many different ways of life and seeing how diversity helps bring the world together.

The biggest culture shock for me has been how many bathrooms there do not provide any toilet paper or soap. I also was surprised by how the eastern style toilets are so low to the ground, but I’ve been doing my best to adjust and embrace the difference. I also had an accident during our time in Chongqing. I and some friends were walking down the street in a local shopping area called Nanping, and I tripped over a small step, cutting my knee. At this time, though I didn’t realize it, I also sprained my ankle. The next day I couldn’t walk at all and I had to go to the hospital, where they wrapped my foot in medicinal herbs and gave me crutches. This was unfortunate however, because I and the other Widener students lived on the top floor of the dorm building, so several times during that period, Jeremy and Tyler had to give me piggyback rides up the stairs to the seventh floor! I felt very bad for them but I was also extremely appreciative to have such great friends. My ankle is doing much better now and I’m walking normally again. Now I’m even more excited for the trip than I was before!

AN INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE - JEREMY CAVANAUGH

Before coming to China, I was very excited about going on the trip. I have traveled to Europe before and my experience was more enjoyable than I could have asked for. When I heard about the wonderful opportunity to go to China, I knew it would be an opportunity I couldn't let pass me by. I did not know much about the history or culture of China, yet I was instantly eager to embark on the trip, hoping to learn more. The CTBU seminar class helped me prepare for the trip by showing me what to expect and familiarizing me  with some of the Chinese language. My past abroad experiences made me excited for the new journey’s experiences, along with the great people I would meet on the trip.

            So far I have had an amazing time during the trip. My favorite part has been meeting new people from other countries. While I was sitting at a table at Shao Kou, or Chinese barbecue, I was surrounded by international students from all over the world. I've made friends from France, China, the Netherlands, Thailand, Indonesia and The United Kingdom. This is especially interesting to me because I’m majoring in international business. These friends are all very warm and welcoming, and are just as interested in hearing about America and our culture as I and the other American students are to hear about their countries and cultures. I hope that during the rest of the duration of the trip we can become even closer friends - or “mates” as some of them might say - and stay in contact with one another even after we return home.

GREAT OPPORTUNITIES - KERRI LEHMAN

So far, China has been an incredible, and enriching experience! I cannot begin to explain what it is like to become immersed in a new culture; to live with the people and experience how they live. We have been at CTBU for four days so far, but it seems like we have been here for so much longer. I have met so many amazing people so far, and made some incredible friendships that will last a lifetime. In only these four days, it seems like we have known everyone forever. CTBU has been extremely hospitable and has hosted some great events for us, constantly keeping us happy and entertained. There has not been a moment so far during this trip where I have been bored, and I think everyone else would agree.
     Recently, Megan and I moved from the seventh floor with all the Widener students, to the second floor with some of our new European friends. Poor Megan fell one night when we were in Nanping and ended up spraining her ankle. It seemed pretty unreasonable for Tyler and Jeremy to carry her up and down seven flights of stairs at least three times a day, so we were moved down to the second floor. We were a little unhappy at first because our new room was not quite as clean as our room on the seventh floor had been, but with a little hard work and elbow grease, the room was much better. Living on the second floor also gave us an opportunity to become closer with the people on the floor. There are students from Great Britain, Kenya, Thailand, and Holland on our floor who were quick to welcome us to our new floor and help us out with anything we needed now that we were far away from our Widener friends.
     From making dumplings, to a scavenger hunt in the city, to a night boat cruise, CTBU has not given us a second to be bored.

The activities that they are providing for us have been so much fun, and allowed us to make new friends. I have to say, I am amazed at how many activities CTBU has provided for us in these past four days, and I am so thankful for their hospitality and generosity.  I can't even begin to write out everything that we have done so far, and explain how much fun we have been having, and I would say this has definitely been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I look forward to everything we are doing for the next week, and continuing to spend time with our new friends, and to make more friends!

CHONGQING CONNECTION

We arrived in Chongqing on Sunday afternoon.  So much has happened since our arrival.  At the welcome ceremony, Tyler delivered a speech on our behalf thanking our hosts.

We went out exploring that evening and found President Obama. 

We had dinner with new friends.

Funny Jeremy picture contest entries.

 Another evening out.

 A dumpling party

OUR SECOND DAY IN BEIJING

Today we toured the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.  The history is fascinating and complex.

And of course, another wonderful meal.  

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA IS SPECTACULAR

The group visited the Mutianyu entrance to the Great Wall of China.  It was breathtakingly spectacular and breathtaking to climb.

A View of the Great Wall 

Keon taking a rest

Kerrilyn -- Oh!! I made it!!!

Janelle soaking up the experience

Not sure this quite worked the way is was supposed to . . .

Janelle at the top

And now for a well-deserved lunch . . .

First Day Video Blog (VLOG)!

FIRST DAY VIDEO BLOG! (VLOG)

WU China Trip 1st Day