China Study Abroad

Adventures in Shanghai!

Hello again!

Last night, I just got back from Shanghai, and let me tell you, if you go anywhere in China, you gotta go to Shanghai! It's so beautiful! The constant rush of the city life and the beautiful bright lights from skyscrapers beside the Yangtze River makes it one of my favorite places so far on this trip! You can definitely feel a different vibe here than compared to Beijing as well! Shanghai is the international city of China because of international business relations, as well as European settlements from long ago.

Shanghai is located in the southern region of China, while Beijing is located in the northern region of China. Just like in the US, there are a few differences between the north and south of China. The food for one thing in the south, is a bit different than the north. The south is known for their rice and sweet flavored dishes, while the north is known for their noodle and a bit spicy dishes! Also, the dumplings and pot stickers are different in both regions! In the North, the dumplings are more of a half-moon shape, while the south they are made in a ball. The north's pot stickers are rolled, while the south's pot stickers are in the shape of a ball, with a bit of soup in them. They are very delicious! I definitely encourage anyone who travels to Shanghai to try them!

Two of my favorite things we did in Shanghai were seeing the Oriental Pearl Tower, and taking a ferry on the Yangtze River at night! Shanghai at night is so beautiful! The whole city just lights up with neon signs on the river! Truly beautiful and breathtaking! And the Oriental Pearl Tower at night is probably one of the most eye-catching parts of the city! Every few seconds it changes from purples to blues to greens! And not to mention the world's second tallest building was right next to it! The Shanghai Tower is definitely another huge aspect of the city! It's also the largest building in China, and second to the tower in Dubai! Completely incredible witnessing it in real life!

On the left is the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the building on the far right in the background is the Shanghai Tower!

Another reason I loved the Oriental Pearl Tower, was because we found this one level to it where you can look directly down because of the glass floor! It's a bit scary at first walking over to stand on the glass and looking down! (I had to slowly inch myself over at first!) But definitely, definitely a must-see while in Shanghai without a doubt! The ferry ride at night and the glass floor of the tower are the two things I would recommend anyone who goes to Shanghai to do!

Want to know another thing that's great about traveling to Shanghai from major Chinese cities? It's so convenient to travel! You can take a plane, or you can take the high-speed bullet train! Sunday afternoon, we left from the Tianjin Bullet Train Station, and arrived in Shanghai five hours later! It would've taken about fifteen hours by regular train if we didn't take the bullet! The trains travel at almost 200mph!!! It's so fast and cozy too! Most of us just slept the whole way there since you can recline so much with the seat as well as you don't really feel it move that much when it gets going! Above all, very convenient and I would definitely recommend!

In conclusion, would I come back to Shanghai? Definitely, YES!!!!

So see ya soon Shanghai, and hello again Tianjin! Until next time!

Kate, out!

Greetings from China

Hello everyone!

My name is Kate Szewczyk and I am a rising Junior at Sacred Heart University. Currently, I have been in Tianjin, China now for two weeks. For my first study abroad adventure, I gotta say this trip is more incredible than I could have ever imagined. I can't believe I'll only be here for about another two weeks! Time goes by so fast and we are kept very busy here at Tianjin Foreign Studies University with classes, trips, Tai Chi, and shopping! One of the best things about China is how cheap everything is here! However, you really need to watch what you buy, since it all adds up fast! (Trust me, I've been learning the hard way after going to the Silk Market last Monday).

Anyway! Since this is my first time ever overseas, I have definitely learned so much more being here and experiencing China, than I ever could have in a class! First of all, while yes there is pollution in China, the American media hypes it way too much where most Americans believe you will need facemasks at all times because of the smog (I have been to Beijing as well, and the smog is nowhere extreme as the media makes it out to be, at least in my opinion). Yes, there is pollution and trash here, but what surprised me was how many workers they have going up and down streets sweeping debris and trash, as well as even washing the streets! For such a polluted country as the media makes it out to be, that was probably one of the many surprising things I first noticed here.

Another surprising thing was how they drive in China! Talk about traffic and road rage! You seriously need to be EXTREMELY careful when crossing the streets here. Even though it says on the sign you can cross, that STILL does not mean it is safe. Even as you are crossing the street, there will still be cars turning and driving towards you! Pedestrians do not have the right of way here! Not only that, but bikes and scooters do not obey stoplights. Definitely different than the US.

Mason and I are not the only ones on this adventure, we also are with four students from Quinnipiac University, Jenna, Alex, Sydney and Jose. So far, the places we have been are Shi Palace, the Great Wall of China, Tianjin Water Park, and the Silk Road Market in Beijing. Tomorrow, the Quinnipiac girls and I, as well as our Chinese MBA friends Lilian and Daniel, will be traveling to Shanghai till Tuesday! I'm super excited!

We also are all interning at Tasly, an international pharmaceutical company based in China. So far we are learning about how Chinese business operate, as well as helping them with their marketing plans and strategies for coming into the US. It's amazing how huge this company is, and none of us have ever heard about it! I'm looking forward to learning more about doing business in China through the help of Tasly!

Mason and I will continue to update for the next two weeks or so while we are here! I still cannot believe how fast it is going! Hopefully I will be update with pictures soon when I figure out how to properly place them in here! My computer is having trouble uploading them. I look forward to more adventures here in China!

Kate

Hello everyone,

My name is Mason Powers, currently a senior at Sacred Heart University graduating in August 2015. I am finishing off my college career with a bang by taking a trip to Tianjin China for an internship and study program at Tianjin Foreign Studies University. Unfortunately I am posting from my cell phone because my computer broke on the plane ride here but we will make it work.

Upon arriving to China everyone has a stereotypical mind set that China is a communist country that remains big manufacturing society with manufacturing plants everywhere and rice patties where they aren't. I would have to say this is not true. Tianjin is a district with rich culture and a vast history behind it. Where we stay at our university is all western style buildings that were built by European settlers over 100 years ago when China opened the doors to the outside world. Tianjin was one of the main ports where they would export and import goods arundel the world which attracted this western influence. Now the city is a mass structure of beautiful architecture and some of the coolest sky scrappers I have ever seen.

As for China in general, we have had to make some cultural and social adjustments since living here. The first is no social media; Facebook, Twitter and instagram are blocked by the government but Wechat is a great alternative for the Chinese people. Also Google and a majority of other American websites were replaced by Chinese censored websites.

In addition, we have made some adjustments to our taste buds experiencing an array of new foods such as Peking duck and their type of noodles. In China people only drink hot beverages except for beer which was must different for us because as a westerner we are adapted to drinking cold beverages to cool us off.

Overall the trip as been a great experience with the little bit of culture we have encountered and much more to come.

Kate and I plan on posting pictures of the Great Wall of China and other activities we have done thus far where we will explain those in further detail. Thank you for joining the blog and I hope you all continue to follow our journey in the Great Land of China.

-Mason