Blogs from Wudaokou, Beijing, China, Asia - page 2

So... today is my birthday and I have spent it all in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Everyone in the program (Alliance for Global Education @ BLCU) has a Chinese test tomorrow, and thus is studying tonight, so we decided to go out last night. I was surprised at the turn-out, as almost 20 out of 26 or so students showed up. I was originally thinking of going for all-you-can-eat and drink sushi, as we celebrated many a birthday at such places in Shanghai, where everyone gets plenty of food and their fill of beer, sake, and plum wine for under 200yuan ($30). However, turned out the US and England games were both Wednesday night (World Cup Soccer for those of you who don't keep up) and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get a ... read more

So... Anh's cousin (another one) picked me up yesterday morning from my hotel and we drove to the airport together. After getting all checked in, we wandered around the airport shops killing some time, and me looking for a way to blow my last 55,000 dong (less than $3). I was thinking to buy gifts for my teachers to be, but $3 wasn't quite enough for anything of substance. It did, however, buy a bracelet and a magnet at the overpriced airport shops. Shortly after, it was time to board my flight to Beijing :) I said goodbye to Anh at the terminal coffee shop and boarded my flight. I was very sad to find the window seat I had asked for in the emergency exit row I volunteered for, was not actually a window seat. ... read more

The Wudaokou 五道口 subway station is a major access to the near by universities. Such as - Beijing Language and Culture University 北京語言大學; China University of Geosciences 中國地盾大學; Tsinghua University 清華大學; Peking University 北京大學; Beihang University 中國航空航天大學; Beijing Forestry University 北京林業大學; China Aricultural University 中國農業大學; Renmin University of China 中國人民大學 and Beijing Film Academy 北京電影學院. The side walks near by become a flea market from late afternoon to the early evening’s hours. Most of the stuffs are geared to the students’ populations. There are many accessories for girls, shoes, clothing’s, winter gadgets, books, computer accessories. The side walks already crowed with food vendors and parked bicycles sometimes is hard to walk through. The bicycle parking garage with attendant is .20 rmb ( like three cents ) for in and out, whole day the same price. Price ... read more

I has been sit thorough all the classes in the level E. I do not have much problem except the speaking part. Most students there are have been in China for a while or have Mandarin and Chinese background. The older Caucasian is from Hawaii, he has been learn Chinese before and work in china for 3 ½ years. The older Japanese is working in Beijing for fours years. Most other students have been here for sometimes or work or study here before. It will be difficult to keep up with them especially the spoken part. It appears the advance level more concentrate on reading and comprehension, which I do not needed. It also has public speaking and group discussion which I cannot handle. I spoke with head teacher and she recommended to level C, the ... read more

I was in the university a little over 8:00am; there are quite a few people there already. The test results group it by price. Dollar sign on to of the list. The higher the price the longer the term. Most students take the 20 weeks or one semester term. May be approx. 250 taking the 12 weeks course. I was confirmed at level E of the 6 levels fro A-F, the second highest level. Out of the 12 weeks group. Only 10 in the E level. One in level F and is a Japanese. Majority are in level A, B and C. The higher level all of them are Asians. 10 of us in level E are in two classes. Only 5 in a class, if it is the case, I will get my money worth. ... read more