Category Archives: Excursion Group 2

Been a Month Since China

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Boy, oh boy! It’s been a month already and I can still remember my fellow APSA scholars all hugging each other talking and being plain silly together as if it were just yesterday. I never truly understood the phrase, “as if it were yesterday,” until this summer. I have to admit, that when I informed them on our last day together on the 8th of August that “I shall miss you for a week, after that I’ll stop missing you because if I don’t see people on a regular basis, then I start forgetting them.” I sort of hoped that would be true, knowing myself so well, but it certainly was not the case. I still miss them all dearly and looking back at our times together, the good and the bad, my heart aches to see them all again some day and hug each and every one of them. I will keep my word, when I told some of them, “If I ever see any of you guys again in my life, I don’t know where or when, but I shall definitely make a scene.”

What I gained was a wonderful and positive experience while being in a different country. My language skills have definitely improved as I gauged myself today during my OPI exam.  My people skills have also improved after being given a push to get to know about 30 other students on the East coast of America that I had no idea even existed before. The only advice I suppose I can give to future scholars, if they are reading this, is that as long as you have a willingness to keep an open mind and a good attitude, this will be an experience you will not regret taking. I can’t count how many good times I had with all these people. The fourth of July sticks out especially since we all splashed water on each other, I of course was hiding somewhere determined not to get wet. We even gathered around in a circle and sang the star spangled banner together, how silly of us. All the company visits and language classes helped me see myself as a mature individual. I certainly can say and reiterate that, I don’t know when or how but I shall definitely find myself back in China someday.

If anyone has any further questions or comments, I will be more than willing to answer any future APSA scholars’ questions.

Tai Tran     email: sirpercival123@gmail.com

Boston, MA

APSA 2012 Scholar

Excursion Group #2

Day #34: Counting Down the Days!

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It has finally come to this – for our departure from Beijing on a count down because it’s practically at an arm’s length away! As I remember this fact I can’t help but think about how much I’ve changed since the start of this program. I’ve become even more social, understanding and I definitely feel that I’ve taken a step closer to being the person I want to become. I’ve grown so much and I’m not only extremely proud of my achievements but of this program’s achievements as well.

Speaking about achievements, a recent achievement that I’ve conquered and completed was going to the Great Wall. My group successfully climbed the Great Wall and some of us conquered our fear of heights and steepness. (Shout out to Ann and Kerri!) Also, a special thanks to Becca and Tai for either holding my hand and encouraging me to go on when I was really scared of the steep steps at times. It’s times like those that really make me realise that there are just some people who care insanely and not because it’s their job and/or they feel like they have to help.

There are a few more days left, which we will be spending shopping at markets. I can finally practice my bargaining skills in Chinese! :)

On a more serious note, I’m having the time of my life here with some of the most unique people I’ve ever met. Even though this program is coming to a close, our friendships live on. Peace -skies!

Shout out to Meigui!

Priscilla Pita
Excursion Group 2
New York City, NY
APSA Scholar 2012

Day #32: A Great Week

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This week was very interesting because we visited the Bank of China and we met a lot of the Chinese kids that were living in the dorms next to us. We taught them how to play some card games and they taught us how to play a card game that Chinese people play.

The next day we visited the Bank of China and we experienced Chinese bank culture. We presented them with a certificate of appreciation then returned to the school. Next we visited the mall near our school. Finally we had a Young Professionals Panel and I got some business cards.

Luis Vorek
Excursion Group 2
New York City, NY
APSA Scholar 2012

Day #29 – Beijing Zoo Huan Ying Ni!

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Greetings y’all! So this weekend was pretty interesting. There was a rumor of a storm brewing on Saturday so we didn’t get to go to the Great Wall :( It was disappointing but we improvised and had fun on campus. We mainly did JUMP! activities with our city groups; which inadvertently showed us communication and teamwork that was desperately needed in our group. There was an activity where we had to get our city group safely to the other side of the river of lava using “magic boots” that can only be used once per person. In the end we accomplished this challenge. I had to carry two girls on my back but I did it – hooray!

On Sunday there was a cool activity set in store for us. We were going to make jiaozi (dumplings)! My excursion group was combined with Excursion Group 1 therefore we called each other Group 1.5! With this newly developed group we had to buy ingredients for the jiaozi. We bought chicken and other fancy things for one set of dumplings. We called it “jiggajiggajiggajirou!”. Our other batch was “Mango Party,” which turned out to be one of the best tasting dumplings out of all the dumplings! :) Later that day we went to a mosque and learned a lot about Islam traditions. Group 1.5 was the best and I wish we could hang out on excursions forever.

Today Group 2 went to the Beijing Zoo where I met my spirit animal aka Tapirs!! Overall, it was extremely hilarious – then it started raining. Later, we worked on China Tomorrow and our group made some serious progress. Anyway, this post is coming to a close. Nine more days until I kiss American soil! I’m distressed because of the school work I’ll be returning to. I’m also sad because I’ll be leaving all of the incredible people I’ve met. I’m happy to return to my family though. There are just so many feelings.

Zai Jian!

Shout out to Xi Wang. Shout out to Mina!

 

Priscilla Pita

Excursion Group 2

NYC

APSA Scholar 2012

Day #27: A Rained Out Weekend

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What I’ve realized is that I love Beijing and can’t wait to return with others to open their eyes to what I see. You don’t understand until you are here yourself. That being said, I feel as if Beijing is a part of me.

Yesterday we went on a company visit to NBA China. This NBA is the same as the one in America, except that they are not allowed to let American teams play in China. The Chinese government would have to allow us to let our teams play in China. The NBA in China has made a school to train players and teach Chinese coaches to play at an American level. Once that is done they will have more of an option to recruit Chinese basketball players.

I’m sad because I love Beijing and we will be leaving soon. Today it didn’t rain, but the forecast was set for rain so we didn’t go to the Great Wall this weekend.  But we did a lot of fun activities such as tag and dancing games in the gym. I can’t wait to go home but I feel like I’ll be lost once I get there. Not physically lost, but lost about what I will do emotionally and where my career path would go.

Luis Vorek

Excursion Group 2

NYC

APSA 2012 Scholar

Day 26 — Just Another Ordinary Day

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Today was pretty dry compared to what we do on other days, but it gave me time to reflect on how my time here in Beijing has been well spent. I’m honestly ready to leave now, but I know the facilitators are going to make our final time here as epic and unforgettable as possible, so I’ll be patient until then.

Khailynn Baker

Excursion Group #2

Washington D.C.

APSA Scholar 2012

Day #25: Shout Out To Mina

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It’s hard to believe there’s only less than two weeks left! I miss my family, DC, and not to mention macaroni and cheese, but I don’t want to leave China. I’ve met such wonderful people and encountered amazing new things. I will certainly have lots of memories, including the 1,691 (and counting) pictures I’ve taken so far.

Zooming past the nostalgia and to the present, today was an exceptional day. It started off with cute little butterfly shaped green bread rolls for breakfast, another fabulous language class where we learned about taste (wei dao), parts of the body (from tui, legs, to zui, mouth), watched a short Chinese movie on three Buddhist monks, and had a lot of fun while doing it! Then, for culture class, my group performed our Chinese Folk Dance routine for the other group. We also learned Kung Fu and Tai Chi (in Chinese Gong Fu and Tai Ji Quan.) The kicks in Kung Fu were the hardest for me because I wanted to kick an imaginary soccer ball and never got the form quite right. Afterwards, my group went on an excursion to the Capital Museum. We’d already gone once, but since one of our members was sick that day we went back for him. Was it ever worth it! We met the famous, highly renowned painter Liu Yu Yi whose exhibit honoring his 50-year career is in the main hall of the museum. His paintings have made it into Mao’s personal collections and he even has about five prestigious art schools named after him. We got his autograph, were filmed with him (we’ll be on Chinese TV!), and took a picture with him in front of a masterwork of his depicting the turn of the millennium. The painting is filled with what seems like all the most prominent figures of the 1990’s and early 2000’s from across the world, and the canvas was probably 20 by 10 feet. Look out for the picture of Excursion Group 2 as the APSA blog’s banner!

Then, the day got even better. We went to a Taiwanese gourmet restaurant in a department store right by the Experimental High School’s metro stop, Xidan. It was exquisite! We had a feast of noodle dishes and even had yummy mango and coconut sorbet as well as peanut flavored ice cream. Everything was amazing. This was just one extraordinary day among many.

Stephanie Guzman

Excursion Group 2

Washington, DC

APSA 2012 Scholar

Day #23

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Today was a day worth remembering. After our language classes in the morning as usual and after lunch was our culture class. I had Chinese Folk Dancing again and could already tell it was going to be a success. Of course my stomach felt better that day so it did not affect my performance or my mood. We were able to finish the entire dance with time to go through all of it again about five times. Practice makes perfect and I felt confident as class ended.

After the dancing was our excursion trip. This week I am in the position of CEO. It also happened to be that under my watch, our group had our first taste of “storming.” I have to admit that I am not completely innocent as it was my first time holding such a position of power and so I used it to my liking. My annoyance level as CEO grew and perhaps irritated everyone on some level. But, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. By the end of the day, after the fun karaoke session, where we all sang our hearts out, our group made up and is back to “performing.” Hopefully overcoming this obstacle will make us all more mature and experienced. I certainly know that I can tone it down a couple of notches when it comes to giving orders or making decisions. However, I feel the sassy attitude I deliver is quite humorous and enjoyable.

 

Tai Tran

Excursion Group 2

Boston, MA

APSA 2012 Scholar

Day 22—Weekend Adventure and Welcoming

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On Thursday July 19, we departed for Cuandixia, a village in a rural area just outside of Beijing. We experienced the rural culture and we did some great hikes during our stay in the village. I did the hike on the extreme team (the fastest group) which headed towards an unrestored section of the Great Wall of China. We were able to explore four of the seven towers. The hike was very tiring both ways (up and down). The overall time according to my watch was 7 hours and 20 minutes. But all the struggle was worth the beautiful view from the top. Unfortunately, my camera wasn’t found at Miao Liang so I had to rely on my fellow scholars to take photos.

The last day at Cuandixia was kind of sad because we had to do a lot of the scheduled activities in the rain.

The day after we got back to Beijing (Sunday), we went to a welcoming meeting at Tsinghua University. We enjoyed a lot of performances (Beijing Opera, Chinese Dancing, Kung Fu, etc). Afterwards, they showed the flag of each country that was present at the ceremony. When the American flag appeared on the screen, our whole group cheered very loudly. When Vietnam’s flag appeared, I was one of the very few cheering voices. Finally, we took a tour of the campus and left the university in time for lunch.

On Monday (today), we had a Young Professional Panel and Company Visit. It was fun to go to Teach for China and learn about the shortage of quality education in rural areas of China. I asked questions and even gave them a business card. I’m sad that this trip is almost over and I’m afraid I’m going to feel lost in America when I return home.

Luis Vorek

Excursion Group 2

New York City, NY

APSA 2012 Scholar

Day 21—“Foreign Culture Shock”

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Cuandixia is probably the most peaceful, likable place I’ve ever spent a weekend. The people are kind, respectful, and generous.

The first night we spent there, we hiked up a short trail that led to a temple built in honor of the village founder. At first glance, the temple seemed spooky, but I was curious. It turns out that people of Cuandixia come up to this temple to bring the village founder food and money. I guess it’s like they’re feeding him with food and wealth in the afterlife.

The second day, while most scholars were hiking, I spent the day exploring the village, getting ice cream, and drawing aspects of Cuandixia that I noticed. I honestly thought of Miao Liang (last week’s weekend expedition) while I was in Cuandixia—the only thing I miss from last week are the compost toilets and the showers because there is only a smelly squat toilet at Cuandixia. The people here are very kind. Every time we were around an inn or restaurant, the people would invite us in and tell us to sit down like we were family or old friends.

Khailynn Baker

Excursion Group 2

Washington, DC

APSA 2012 Scholar