My Amazing Summer in Beijing!

Hi Everyone!

My name is Monette, and I'm here to tell you a little bit about my experience this summer in Beijing, China. :)

I traveled to Beijing through the UCEAP program(University of California Education Abroad Program), a 6-week summer intensive language program. It was the funnest and most memorable summer I have ever had! And if I could do it again, I would, without a moment's hesitation.

To tell you a little about the program, the UCEAP summer intensive language program is held at Beijing Normal University, a quaint, clean university located in a great location(Haidian, Xicheng Area) of Beijing. The location is awesome because it is in close proximity to convenient public transportation and many cute and authentic Chinese restaurants and shops. Just less than one block outside of the campus are located tons of restaurants(many of which have fun, outdoor seating and barbecue which is popular among locals during the summer), as well as a long "Xiao Chi Jie" or street filled with fresh and traditional Chinese snacks, foods, and market stands selling authentic Chinese specialties from all over China. The culture around the school is very Chinese, the locals everywhere are friendly and always eager to engage you in conversation! I even became good friends with the cleaning ladies at the school's dormitory! All of this makes BNU a great place to dive into and experience the local culture!

The dormitories at BNU are decent. I shared a room and private bathroom with one roommate, and we had our own TV and internet! The best thing about it was that the room and bathroom were cleaned daily by the cleaning maids. I stayed at Lanhui Gongyu, which is located conveniently near an on-campus grocery store where any daily necessities can be bought, ranging from hygiene products, tissues, yogurt, and even underwear! (by the way, the yogurt in China is a must-try! They come in many distinct flavors such as Hong Zao(Chinese Red Date) that cannot be found outside of China!, the traditional Lao Beijing Suannai(drinkable yogurt available in clay jars, sold in many stores surrounding the school), and this delicious drinkable peach-flavor yogurt with oatmeal in it(sounds strange but is actually really good)).

The school itself has several cafeterias as well, a bowl of bean paste noodles(Zha Jiang Mian) can come out to be less than 2 RMB, around 30 cents, making the cafeterias awesome places for saving money. What's even better is that this is the hub where you can meet many friendly Chinese college students, I made some of my local friends in the cafeterias just by sitting next to random students and striking up conversations with them.

If cafeteria food bores you, that is not a problem! As mentioned earlier, not even one block outside of the school are located many different food stands and restaurants. And if you are not in the mood for Chinese food, there is a McDonalds located on campus, as well as a cute, Chicago-style pizza restaurant!

A walk or bus-ride away will take you to historical sites such as the old Hutongs(Chinese courtyard homes and alleyways), the Forbidden Temple, The Summer Palace, and the Great Wall, to name a few. Other worth-while and nearby locations are Sanlituan and Wudaokou, where many students enjoy a lively nightlife and trendy shopping.

The UCEAP staff are fun and always available for assistance. For example, I once broke out in hives during my stay there. The staff instructed me as to where to see a doctor(the school itself has its own clinic, and within a two-block radius are located two other reputable hospitals), as well as the medicines and questions I should ask the doctor about. I never once felt unsafe or lost. They were always there to provide the best advice and care!

As for the academics at the school, BNU is known for its Chinese language program. The faculty are experienced, patient and engaging. My teacher had taught at the school for over 40 years and always brought interesting stories about his travels and Chinese culture and tradition to class to incorporate with his lessons! Each student as well is provided with his/her personal tutor, usually a grad student at the school. The tutor is also a great way to get connected with the local student population at the school, as well as provide a lot of out-of-the-classroom help with schoolwork and studying!

The best part about learning Chinese here is not only the great faculty, interesting textbooks(the first lesson of my textbook was Aiqing or Romance), and helpful tutors, but also the great Chinese-speaking environment to immerse in. You can literally spend everyday only speaking and listening to Chinese if you wanted to.
I should also mention the campus! The campus itself is cute. There are tree-lined streets which provide great shade and scenery, especially during the hot, muggy summers. There is plenty of activity and hubbub going about campus daily, even at night. You can take a stroll around campus at 11 o'clock at night and still see tons of cute old couples walking around campus with their grandkids and dogs, as well as tons of young, strapping men playing basketball in the school's outdoor courts. Yes, the school and surrounding area are always filled with locals and the excitement of Chinese culture! It is also very safe. There were many moments where I walked around unaccompanied at night, something that I cannot do here in the States!

Most importantly, I should mention the people I met at BNU. Everyone from the faculty, staff, and local students to my fellow study abroad students made my experience all the more worth-while. The great friends I made during this program will always be a part of the fond memories I have of Beijing, and I know you will meet some awesome people when you go as well! Through these friends, I was able to have great companionship to share in my adventures around the city. I know you will have the same great experiences as well!

So, if you get the chance, study abroad in Beijing through UCEAP! The education you receive there is so worthwhile(my and my fellow study abroad students' Chinese improved incredibly), and the units transfer directly and can be applied towards graduation(I received 8 units). Also, the food, the people, and the culture are something that I will always hold dear in my heart. I wish you a happy travel! If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact me! :)