May 14: Good Bye, Korea and Hello, China!
Lander students and faculty stayed with Korean host families for four night and five days. Of course, they were so worried about staying with Korean families as they have never done that before prior to the trip to Korea. However, those worried turned over to happiness while they were staying in Korean home, and it seems that all our members will remember "Korean Hospitality" for their lifetime.
I talked with a couple of students, and I would like to share what Ashlin described her host families and Korean people. "Korean people were so nice and sweet, so I'd like to pack them in my bag and take them to the US.- Ashlin Crout (Mass Comm, Freshman)" If you'd like to know more about her experience in Korea, please go visit http://ashlininasia.weebly.com/ Also, everyone said they fed them well at all times.
Today, we had to meet by 5:15 am at the bus terminal to catch a bus to Incheon International Airport for going to Shanghai, China. Amazingly, nobody was late, and we could leave on time. The most amazing thing was every host family (including host mother, famil)took our students to the terminal and I was so impressed by Korean host students and families today. They tried all the best to host our students and make them have a good memory about Korea.
We arrived in Sanda University safely without any delays. Ms. Mandy Zhang and Mr. Henry Chen greeted us at the airport. We had a great dinner at the fancy restaurant and tasted authentic Chinese gourmet cuisines. We're every excited about our stay in Sanda for four days. I'll post you as soon as possible about our exciting stories in China.
I talked with a couple of students, and I would like to share what Ashlin described her host families and Korean people. "Korean people were so nice and sweet, so I'd like to pack them in my bag and take them to the US.- Ashlin Crout (Mass Comm, Freshman)" If you'd like to know more about her experience in Korea, please go visit http://ashlininasia.weebly.com/ Also, everyone said they fed them well at all times.
Today, we had to meet by 5:15 am at the bus terminal to catch a bus to Incheon International Airport for going to Shanghai, China. Amazingly, nobody was late, and we could leave on time. The most amazing thing was every host family (including host mother, famil)took our students to the terminal and I was so impressed by Korean host students and families today. They tried all the best to host our students and make them have a good memory about Korea.
We arrived in Sanda University safely without any delays. Ms. Mandy Zhang and Mr. Henry Chen greeted us at the airport. We had a great dinner at the fancy restaurant and tasted authentic Chinese gourmet cuisines. We're every excited about our stay in Sanda for four days. I'll post you as soon as possible about our exciting stories in China.
May 16: Last Day at Sanda University
It is already last day at Sanda University. We went to Jin Mao Tower, the famous building of 88 floor and Hyatt Hotel is resided inside. We went to the top of the floor and watched the whole view of Puxi, Pu Dong and the Huangpu River across the two districts. Again, I’d like to give many thanks to Sanda staff and faculty, Professor Hua Hua, Dr. Jia, Ms. Mandy Zhang, and Mr. Henry Chen. They devoted to arrange the itinerary for our group and take us everywhere so that we could learn Chinese culture and mingle with Sanda students. Sophie, one of the student buddies, prepared gifts for all of our team members so we were very moved about her kind gesture. You know what, she’s coming to Lander in the fall semester as an exchange student for a year. I’m very excited to have her on Lander campus. We can return our thanks to her throughout her stay in Greenwood. Adios, Sanda!
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How beautiful her voice is!
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Dr Vartanian is learning to play the Chinese guitar. Pretty amazing! This is his first time trying, but he plays well :-)
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Lily, Student Buddy, is playing a guitar and singing a beautiful song for us. She's very talented at singing and playing the guitar. She might be coming to Lander in the fall. We're more than welcome to have you in Greenwood :-)
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May 17: We arrived in Shanghai Normal University
We moved to Shanghai Normal University in the afternoon with an escort of Professor Hua Hua. We checked in at university hotel, and we're having wonderful and relaxing time at the hotel. So far, every sister university hosted us to the best, and we only have had positive memories and impressions.
May 18: The 2nd Day at Shanghai Normal University
In the morning, Dr. Vartanian and Boyoung made a presentation about Lander University and introduced international programs to Shanghai Normal University staff and students. In the evening, SHNU arranged an amazing Flute performance for Lander delegation. We had a blast with the performance, and felt warm welcomed. Thank you so much for staff and student buddies who get along with us all day long. We do appreciate it!
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SHNU held a welcoming session for Lander delegation. They showed us the video about SHNU's history, and in return, Dr. Vartanian and Boyoung introduced Lander University.
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SHNU arranged a special flute performance only for Lander delegation. They played four pieces in a row: Faure's Pavane, Verdi's Nabucco, Die Fledermaus's Overtue, and Peer GYNT Suite No.1. I'd like to invite them to Lander! It'd be great!
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May 19: Saturday Exploration in Shanghai
It was a Shanghai exploration day. We went to the Shanghai’s favorite tower, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which is the tallest building as a broadcasting stating in the world. Since it was Saturday, there were tons of people waiting in the line to enter. We waited about 30 minutes, which was not bad, and we could get in.
After awesome lunch, we headed to Xintiandi, which is a shopping and dining area. It shows the combination of old and new Shanghai as all the buildings are historic and antique and at the same time, they now turned commercial.
Now, it’s time to talk about our team members’ favorite place, Tianzifang. It is a cultural and shopping area full of designer shops and art galleries. We took pictures of many pretty shops and could do the decent shopping. It was rainy all day, but I thought the rain matches the view of narrow alleys and tiny shops with pretty goods and accessories. Definitely, it was one of the places I’d like to come back someday.
Tomorrow, we’re going to Yuyuan Garden where there are full of traditional market places and old buildings are still preserved. I’m very excited about the journey today.
Boyoung
After awesome lunch, we headed to Xintiandi, which is a shopping and dining area. It shows the combination of old and new Shanghai as all the buildings are historic and antique and at the same time, they now turned commercial.
Now, it’s time to talk about our team members’ favorite place, Tianzifang. It is a cultural and shopping area full of designer shops and art galleries. We took pictures of many pretty shops and could do the decent shopping. It was rainy all day, but I thought the rain matches the view of narrow alleys and tiny shops with pretty goods and accessories. Definitely, it was one of the places I’d like to come back someday.
Tomorrow, we’re going to Yuyuan Garden where there are full of traditional market places and old buildings are still preserved. I’m very excited about the journey today.
Boyoung
May 20: Weekend in Yuyuan Garden
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It's been a week since we came to Shanghai. Thankfully, SHNU arranged a tour to Shanghai Museum and Yuyuan Garden for our Sunday. Our lovely buddy, Qingqing (Tiffany) and Rosa joined us today and we had good time with them. They're nice and sweet and always help us not to be lost and lead us to have a good time in Shanghai. I'm happy that they are going to the US for their graduate program, and hoping to host them in Greenwood someday. I'll miss them so much. |
By the way, I had a moment of being speechless again in the Yuyuan Garden. I was amazed by the landscape architecture of the garden showing the combination of a beautiful pond full of colorful fish and exotic rocks, bridge, and patterns of the walls. I was being stuck and was watching them closely. You can also take a look at the view by the picture below.
May 20, 2012 Boyoung Roh
May 20, 2012 Boyoung Roh
May 21: Visit to Feng Xian Campus of Shanghai Normal
May 22: Last Day in Shanghai
I can't believe that today was our last day at Shanghai Normal University. We have had good time for the last 7 days at SHNU by meeting many staff and students. We learned a lot about the university, and especially it was great to interact with the students who helped us for the activities all the time. Like yesterday, we spent amazing time with the SHNU students. We learned about the student activities and volunteers in the morning. Iffy, Vice President of Student Union made a presentation about students activities and volunteers. There are 6 centers in the student unions, and 7,000 SHNU students volunteered in the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. I was very amazed about the the well-organized student activity and volunteer program in SHNU, and I was impressed by the spirit of volunteering from the students.
In the afternoon, we experienced our first seal cutting. The seal cutting club at SHNU was established in 1986, and they got an award for Excellent Student Club. It was so much fun to carve our own seal on the little stone, and we had fun throughout the amazing experience. Please check out our seals in the pictures below. After that, we watched the puppet show presented by the puppet club. The puppet club has 200 enrollment, and it was amazing that the students are actively involved in the club activities. Lander delegation presented our own improvised puppet show in return to their great performance. I may post it later.
Tomorrow, we're heading to Xi'an, which is the Chinese most historic city. We'll be in the bullet train for the whole day to get there, so my postings might be delayed. Sorry about that! Last but not least, we'd love to give many thanks to the host institutions: University of Incheon, Seongsu High School, Sanda University, and Shanghai Normal University. It's not enough to say thanks, but we do thank you, our friends!
In the afternoon, we experienced our first seal cutting. The seal cutting club at SHNU was established in 1986, and they got an award for Excellent Student Club. It was so much fun to carve our own seal on the little stone, and we had fun throughout the amazing experience. Please check out our seals in the pictures below. After that, we watched the puppet show presented by the puppet club. The puppet club has 200 enrollment, and it was amazing that the students are actively involved in the club activities. Lander delegation presented our own improvised puppet show in return to their great performance. I may post it later.
Tomorrow, we're heading to Xi'an, which is the Chinese most historic city. We'll be in the bullet train for the whole day to get there, so my postings might be delayed. Sorry about that! Last but not least, we'd love to give many thanks to the host institutions: University of Incheon, Seongsu High School, Sanda University, and Shanghai Normal University. It's not enough to say thanks, but we do thank you, our friends!
May 23: Arrived in Xi'an (Western Peace)
We took the bullet train to Xi'an.
We had a long journey to get to Xi’an today. We spent 9 hours in the bullet train, and Lander delegation safely arrived in Xi’an around 9 pm. We are all in the hotel in Xi’an where the first emperor of China designated his capital.
I’d love to say thanks to our group members for their punctuality and team dynamics. We all woke up early enough in the morning and everyone came out in the lobby to head to the train station on time at 6 a.m. I was so proud of them for helping each other to wake up. Also, they were amazing as they smiled all the time and tried to entertain with one other. Even though we are all sweaty by carrying our heavy luggage with us all the time, they never complained or anything. They tried best to help with one another to carry each other’s bags.
Thanks to the well-organized tour arrangement by Shanghai Normal University, we could have a chance to take a bullet train to Xi’an. Seriously, the train was as fast as bullet as the train moved approximately 186 mi/h. Our first train left at 7:30 a.m. and then we arrived in Zheng Zhou at 2 p.m. We spent four hours for layover, and then we changed into the train to Xi’an at 6:39p.m. Then, we arrived in Xi’an around 9 p.m.
It was tedious journey because we spent the whole day to get to Xi’an. However, without the help of Crystal, who is Lander’s next visiting scholar in the fall semester. We led the Lander group to Xi’an, and she will be leading us for the last of our journey in Xi’an and Beijing. I’m happy that she’s with us, and getting to know us more prior to her arrival to Greenwood in August. Please give warm welcome when she arrives in Greenwood soon!
Tomorrow, we will visit Terracotta Warriors which is a highlight of our trip to Asia. They are around 8,000 warriors which guard the Chinese first emperor, Chin Xi Huang. We’re very excited about our next 2 days in Xi’an, and I’ll promise to keep posting the blog.
Adios!
I’d love to say thanks to our group members for their punctuality and team dynamics. We all woke up early enough in the morning and everyone came out in the lobby to head to the train station on time at 6 a.m. I was so proud of them for helping each other to wake up. Also, they were amazing as they smiled all the time and tried to entertain with one other. Even though we are all sweaty by carrying our heavy luggage with us all the time, they never complained or anything. They tried best to help with one another to carry each other’s bags.
Thanks to the well-organized tour arrangement by Shanghai Normal University, we could have a chance to take a bullet train to Xi’an. Seriously, the train was as fast as bullet as the train moved approximately 186 mi/h. Our first train left at 7:30 a.m. and then we arrived in Zheng Zhou at 2 p.m. We spent four hours for layover, and then we changed into the train to Xi’an at 6:39p.m. Then, we arrived in Xi’an around 9 p.m.
It was tedious journey because we spent the whole day to get to Xi’an. However, without the help of Crystal, who is Lander’s next visiting scholar in the fall semester. We led the Lander group to Xi’an, and she will be leading us for the last of our journey in Xi’an and Beijing. I’m happy that she’s with us, and getting to know us more prior to her arrival to Greenwood in August. Please give warm welcome when she arrives in Greenwood soon!
Tomorrow, we will visit Terracotta Warriors which is a highlight of our trip to Asia. They are around 8,000 warriors which guard the Chinese first emperor, Chin Xi Huang. We’re very excited about our next 2 days in Xi’an, and I’ll promise to keep posting the blog.
Adios!
May 24: We met Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Warriors!
The grand journey in Xi'an has been started successfully, and we finally visited Terracotta Warriors Museum today, which was one of our most want-to-visit attractions of the trip. We had a moment of being speechless while watching the terracotta warriors which were created more than 2,000 years ago for the sake of the Chinese first emperor, Qin Shihuang. He is the first king who united the whole China. Also, the name of the country, China was named after his name, Qin (enunciated as Chin). At the museum, we met a guy who's wearing South Carolina t-shirt with a Palmetto tree on it, so we asked where he's from. He told us that he is from Kennesaw state university, GA and he's touring with his university delegation as we are. What a small world it is! It was very good to meet his group far away from home.
Moreover, she visited Hua Qing Palace where the most beautiful lady, Yang resided for a long time during the Tang Dynasty around 700 AD. Lady Yang was the most favored concubine of the king. We were amazed by the picturesque scenic view of the mountain behind the palace, and the garden. Please check out the pictures and see how beautiful China is!
Moreover, she visited Hua Qing Palace where the most beautiful lady, Yang resided for a long time during the Tang Dynasty around 700 AD. Lady Yang was the most favored concubine of the king. We were amazed by the picturesque scenic view of the mountain behind the palace, and the garden. Please check out the pictures and see how beautiful China is!
May 25-26: Overnight Train to Beijing
Now, we’re in the overnight train to Beijing. We got on the train at 7p.m. It will take 13 hours to get there, so we will be in Beijing at 8 a.m. We spent the whole day to travel around in Xi’an. We went to Stone Tablet Museum, Beilin, and visited the market place in the downtown.
Right after the long journey, it was not an easy task for us to go the railroad station with our luggage. Some have two suitcases, and some have three. Unexpectedly, since our tour bus was not allowed to park in front of the station, we had to carry our luggage and bags all the way from the restaurant. It took about ten minutes to get to the train station. You can imagine how hard our journey was to get to the station. However, no one complained and accepted the situation. They moved all their bags and suitcases in a scorching weather.
Finally, I’m on the bottom of the bunker beds. Each room has six beds. Each two of us are paired to be in one room. Some of us already became friends with their room buddies who met in the train for the first time. They chatted with one another. Even Chinese gentlemen helped our students’ suitcases to be well placed on the top of the bunker.
Now, it's time to go to bed in my bunker bed. Good night!
Right after the long journey, it was not an easy task for us to go the railroad station with our luggage. Some have two suitcases, and some have three. Unexpectedly, since our tour bus was not allowed to park in front of the station, we had to carry our luggage and bags all the way from the restaurant. It took about ten minutes to get to the train station. You can imagine how hard our journey was to get to the station. However, no one complained and accepted the situation. They moved all their bags and suitcases in a scorching weather.
Finally, I’m on the bottom of the bunker beds. Each room has six beds. Each two of us are paired to be in one room. Some of us already became friends with their room buddies who met in the train for the first time. They chatted with one another. Even Chinese gentlemen helped our students’ suitcases to be well placed on the top of the bunker.
Now, it's time to go to bed in my bunker bed. Good night!
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May 26: Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square
We arrived in Beijing around 8 a.m. As soon as we arrived in Beijing, our tour had to be begun as we were not able to check in the hotel. I know, we were so tired and wanted to take a warm shower, but we started our grand journey in Beijing for the first day. By the way, we were with Ms. Qi Lu (Crystal) from Shanghai Normal University and our our guide in Beijing, Limbo. Without their assistance and care, I can't imagine our trip! Thanks!
For the itinerary for today, we went to Tiananmen Square and then moved on to Forbidden City. Forbidden City is located behind of the red-brick building in the group picture on the left.
It was very hot in daytime in Beijing, and every place we go was full of people. Although every member was very tired with the travel fatigue, nobody gave up and followed the whole schedule successfully. You know what, there is a saying, "After a storm comes a calm." This exactly fits our case. After the hardcore journey from Xi'an to Beijing in the 13 hour-long overnight train and the tour, we checked in to the 5 star hotel with cozy beds and air conditioner. We're lucky! This trip is amazing!
We're going to the highlight of Asia Summer Study Program tomorrow. Do you know where it is? It's the Great Wall. Adios, I'll keep you updated!
For the itinerary for today, we went to Tiananmen Square and then moved on to Forbidden City. Forbidden City is located behind of the red-brick building in the group picture on the left.
It was very hot in daytime in Beijing, and every place we go was full of people. Although every member was very tired with the travel fatigue, nobody gave up and followed the whole schedule successfully. You know what, there is a saying, "After a storm comes a calm." This exactly fits our case. After the hardcore journey from Xi'an to Beijing in the 13 hour-long overnight train and the tour, we checked in to the 5 star hotel with cozy beds and air conditioner. We're lucky! This trip is amazing!
We're going to the highlight of Asia Summer Study Program tomorrow. Do you know where it is? It's the Great Wall. Adios, I'll keep you updated!
May 27: We hit the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China
We finally went to the Great Wall of China in Beijing. We headed out to the Great Wall around 8 a.m. It took us around one hour to get there from the hotel. The guide explained some facts about the Great Wall so it was very helpful for us to be prepared prior to the hiking. She told us that it would take about 1 and a half hour to including climbing up and down. Of course, it gave a little pressure as we had to do it after our 4-weeks-long prior trips to Korea and China. Even though one of our members suffered from cold/allergy on that day, every team member at least went on the Great Wall and nobody gave up. For the truth, as there were so many people on the Great Wall and we had limited 1 and a half hour given to us, we could not reach the top of the Great Wall. However, we climbed at least the 2/3 part of the Wall.
I’m so proud of the team members who stepped onto the Wall. It was a moment for the dream of Asia Summer Study Program to come true. For those who want to know more about the Great Wall, the wall we went on was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty approximately 700 years ago. As for weather, it was hot, but it gave a chance to watch the clear view of the Great Wall of China.
I’m so proud of the team members who stepped onto the Wall. It was a moment for the dream of Asia Summer Study Program to come true. For those who want to know more about the Great Wall, the wall we went on was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty approximately 700 years ago. As for weather, it was hot, but it gave a chance to watch the clear view of the Great Wall of China.
