Back to the States...Reflection on China

So...I was blocked from blogspot while I was in China and thus could not update my blog. This is a testament to the crazy censorship policies that China enforces.

I truly had a great learning experience, save a few nuisances resulting from a quirky administration staff and their strange policies. IE only allowed to miss 3 days worth of classes or get kicked out of the program! That's strange....aren't I paying you? And why create this new policy half-way through the program? As well as forcing us to attend business trips that were a complete waste of time.

I would like to summarize my experience through the places I've been to and the things I've done. So here:
We went to cities outside of Shanghai: Shao Xing, Xikou, Xinzhang Valley, and Ningbo. I got to see Thailand over Spring break and got my scuba diving license in Koh Tao Island. It was interesting to experience an entirely different Asian culture. The program also organized a trip to Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Macau, and Hong Kong. After the program was over, I got to visit Beijing and see the Great Wall of China as well as all the other touristy hotspots. I also couchsurfed in Inner Mongolia, by hopping on the sleeper train by myself to Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, and then made a trip to the Sand Gorge in the Gobi Desert.

I made lots of new friends from every corner of the United States. I also made lots of new friends in China...although due to the cultural barrier I felt that I could not get as close to them as I did to the American students. To be expected.....

On top of meeting students I met musical figures in the jazz and rock scenes. Also experienced the crazy nightlife in Shanghai, as well as the luxuries involved in taking taxi cabs everywhere - which ultimately led to interesting conversations with cab drivers.

I realize this is just a rouch sketch of my experience in China...but if there's anything to be gained about my experience in China through reading this post...it's the fact that I was able to learn Chinese and speak to my 100 year-old Grandfather as we traveled to his hometown outside of Hangzhou. This was my ultimate goal and ULTIMATE GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!!!!!