Classes are over.

Today, we took the last final and we had our closing ceremony. Most of us then went out to KTV before heading out. It was really bittersweet. We were pretty glad that we made it to the end and that all our hard work has paid off. But at the same time, we're pretty sad because we all have to leave. It was the last time we were all together. Even if...

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新天地 Thursday splurging~

Hey Y'all, Yesterday we only had morning classes! Today we took a group picture in front of the Fudan Main Gate and then took our exit exam, which is the same exam we take for the placement. Anways, since we had time yesterday, we decided to head to 新天地 (Xintiandi) for lunch. 新天地 is this really high-end developed area in Shanghai so a lot of things...

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Food is worth every single cent!

Hey everyone, It's going to a busy last couple of weeks. There's a lot of projects and tests and just everything. And I'm getting more and more frustrated that good things have to come to an end. Anyways, I just wanted to talk a bit about food. As you all know, there's a lot of great cheap things. The main thing is food! Obviously, there's a lot...

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Qingdao Update~

Hey everyone, After a week of resting and such, I’m finally feeling better! I’m having a tough time coping with having to leave soon and the relationships I’ve developed with people here, but everyone will always be in my heart. Also, it was my birthday this past weekend so it’s been a good reflection of who I am. Time will make everything better. We...

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Food Poisoning

Hey all, I got back from my Alliance trip Sunday evening and was planning to post and update then. But I got food poisoning from a restaurant we went to. So many people got food poisoning. I just can't. I didn't even want to miss class yesterday. BLAGH. The trip was alright...I'll definitely update you all on it later this week, preferably on...

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Almost half-way update

Hey everyone, Sorry, I haven't updated as often as I wanted. I've been sick the past week because there's something going around. It's not the bird flu (my mom was freaking out when she found out I was sick). And I don't think it's the pollution because I barely go out that long and I just got sick after other people got sick. Totally blaming my roommate...

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五角场 shopping

Hey everyone, Today, I'm going to be talking about a recent experience at 五角场(Wu Jiao Chang)'s shopping. So yesterday night, we wanted to go to a place that required business casual clothing. I wasn't sure how business casual it was since in China, that could be pretty different. We finally settled upon the conclusion of collared shirt, nice pants...

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上海城隍庙 (Shanghai's City God Temple)

My roommates, Eddie and Lingxiao, and I went to 城隍庙 (Chénghuángmiào) on Saturday. It was pretty fun because it was the first time our roommate took us to go sightseeing. And it was really nice because between classes and spending money going to different places, this was the first time in awhile to just sight see.We took the train from 五角场站 (Wujiaochang...

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Belated First Day Impression

[Note: A lot of this was written during that day so some impressions have been changed and I've tried my best to note things that have changed] I got in on Tuesday at 8 in the morning since my plane got delayed in Finland (le sigh). But I didn’t have anywhere to be. It was pretty quick to get through immigration and customs here. Also, a bunch of...

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First Update

Hey Everyone, I've been in China for over a week now! Time seems to fly by pretty fast. All in all, orientation week was pretty much awesome. I learned a lot of things about China and met some pretty awesome people. My Chinese has also been improving bit by bit. I definitely have to update this on the weekend or something. I'll at least tell you all about my classes right now though! I'm taking the Intensive Chinese track with Alliance. I was pretty nervous about it since...well, it sounds pretty scary. There are actually quite a lot of students...

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I'm half way there!

What's up everyone. I arrived in Helsinki, Finland not to long ago. It's about 9 in the morning here and it's lovely, although a bit chilly. Yes, I know....I'm traveling the opposite way most people do when they go to Asia but hey, I saved a couple hundred bucks that way. Plus, I get to experience yet another culture! From Chicago, IL to Helsinki,...

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Tomorrow's the big day

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." - Dune by Frank Herbert So it's...

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Packing [Part One]

Today was laundry day so I could figure out what I should pack for next week. My mom got called into work so I was left to pack by myself, unlike what I had mentioned in my previous post. Packing is really stressful unless you're one of those people that...well....pack only the bare necessities. If you've seen Up In The Air with George Clooney, you...

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One Week Away

I'm leaving next Sunday, which is a frightening thought. It seemed quite awhile away a few days ago but I guess the one week mark usually kicks me into high gear. This week is going to be super busy. I'm going to have to spend forever packing because I'm that person that overpacks - anyone else with me? It's hard to find the right clothes to bring...

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