Almost there...

I've had some requests for a map of China showing where I will be. Here it is!

I know it's a little small, but right in the middle you'll see "Chengdu," which is where I'll be. In fact, we're starting out the semester with a trip to Shanghai (on the East Coast, a bit south). From there we'll be going to Chengdu, which is where I'll remain for the majority of the semester. Of course, there will be trips elsewhere... Lhasa, Beijing, Xi'an... but for the most part I'll stay put. If you look directly south, below Chengdu, you'll see Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, all of which are on my list of places to go. My list is quite lengthy, and I daresay all of the countries on the list won't make the cut, but I'll make it to as many countries as I can.

So how about a little information about my program? It's called USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium), and for those of you who remember my French disaster, this program seems to be a huge step up from ISEP. For one thing, there is actually some internal support structure, and people will indeed answer questions if you ask them. One of the unfortunate things about the program, though, is that it lets you see China, but in a cushioned environment. All classes (except for Chinese language classes) are taught in English and you live in apartments with fellow Americans. But not all hope is lost! I am determined that I will be out in the Chinese community every day, speaking Chinese to whomever I meet and making Chinese friends. I will get the experience that I crave.

And now the program positives! Someone meets you at the airport when you arrive. Hurrah! I will not be stranded in China on my own! Throughout the semester, you get to go on lots of interesting field trips that are included in the program fee. We're going to get to see the Panda Research Institute (one of the top attractions of Chengdu), for one, and we're also going to be taken to a tea house with live entertainment. Now let me mention this: Chengdu, despite being half the size of Shanghai, has twice the amount of tea houses. Does this sound like the perfect place for me or what? The classes also sound fantastic. I'm taking Chinese, Sichuan cuisine (yes, it's a cooking class, and yes, I will come back knowing how to cook some authentic Chinese food), tai chi, and Chinese calligraphy. Nothing heavy except for the intensive Chinese classes, which I know I'm going to absolutely love.

Well, I'm signing off for now. See you on the other side of the world!