I’ve been traveling since May 15th, and two countries, three cities, and four flights later, I’m finally settling into a routine here at UIBE. Arriving in Beijing, my legs were numb from stiff airplane seats and even stiffer beds, but traveling to so many places before starting this program was definitely a great decision.
First, a quick overview:
Starting in Korea, I met up with close Yale friends, staying with my friend Leo for a week. Having zero Korean skills, I relied on Leo to do most of the communicating, only picking up basics like greetings and thank you. My stay left me with the impression of a culture that leans on the respectful, conservative side. I especially enjoying visiting Leo’s high school, witnessing lots of bowing between underclassmen and upperclassmen, students and teachers, but more importantly, getting a sense of the underlying structure of rank and respect at a very traditional school. Playing volleyball with Leo’s underclassmen teammates was also a unique experience, as the terms for different types of sets are all different compared to the US, even if the rules of the sport are universal.
In Shenyang and Qingdao, I traveled with my mom and visited relatives that I hadn’t seen for several years, when I was a little, 调皮的 kid (as I was constantly reminded). It was great to reconnect with family and learn about my mom’s background. Visiting the countryside where she grew up only emphasized my respect for her and how hard she must have worked, as the youngest with five brothers, to go to one of China’s best universities in a country with over a billion people. And even with her busy career, how she still makes time for her family back home, especially her mom (who’s 97 years old!).
Now in Beijing, with my program underway, I’m realizing just how difficult it is to speak in only Chinese. While I can get by with most everyday conversations from speaking at home, when discussions go to more specific topics, like businesses, politics, even fancier dishes at restaurants, I just don’t have the vocabulary to express more complicated ideas. I’m starting to appreciate the privilege of being a native English speaker in America, and how difficult it must be for many students at Yale coming from abroad.
Looking forward to what’s to come.
Views through a dirty window 