STUDY
Study Abroad in China
During the summer of 2014, I was granted the
opportunity to study abroad in the Land of
Dragons. Better known as China! As part of the
USG, I was placed in a group with students from
different universities across the State of Geor-
gia.
The programs duration was about five weeks,
from May 8 to June 5, 2014.
We visited five different cities: Beijing, Zheng-
zhou, Xian, Luoyang, and Shanghai.
Beijing
Our first stop was in Beijing, the capital city of
China and home of the 2008 Summer Olympic
Games.
Beijing is located in the Hebei Province in
Northern China. Its name literally means,
Northern Capital. Beijing is the most populous
capital city in the world. China spans roughly
ABROAD
five time zones, but the entire country follows
Beijing Standard Time.
We only spent a week here. But I loved every
IN CHINA
minute spent there, the people were nice and
thecity was more alive at night than day.
Beijing is a tourists paradise. We visited many of
the attractions the city has to offer such as: The
Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Great
Wall.
Zhengzhou
Next stop on our tour was
our host city, Zhengzhou.
It is located in the Henan
Province. We were seated
at Zhengzhou University for class.
After classes we ventured around the city with
our new Chinese friends. We visited the Yellow
River and Pagoda Forest.
I spent most of my time playing basketball...
when not eating. They threw us a Welcoming-
Party, it was fun seeing everyone having a blast!
Xian
Xian, whose name translates into Western
Peace. Xian is located in Western China in the
Shaanxi Province. Xian was once the starting
point for many travelers and merchants on the
Silk Road.
We rode the bullet train to Xian! I was so excit-
ed that I actually ventured out on my own and
quickly got lost and ended downtown somehow.
I stumbled upon a fancy Pizza Hut, much different
than back home.
Xian had some of the best tourist attractions to
offer such as: The City Wall of Xian, The Terracotta
Army of First Emperor Qin, Bell Tower, and Giant
Wild Goose Pagoda to name a few.
Besides tourist attractions, Xian also offered great
restaurants and food! From noodles to Fried Oys-
ters to even...Fried Cicadas!
Luoyang
Luoyang was next on our trip. Luoyang sits in the
Western Henan Province of China. ITs name trans-
lates into, Northern bank of the Luo River.
We didnt spend much time in Luoyang. But we
did visit the Longmen Grottoes which is huge
stone carving of the Vairocana Buddha.
The Vairocana Buddha honors Chinas first female
empress, Wu Zetian.
We visited and paid respects at the Buddhist Tem-
ples and met real life Shaolin Monks!
The monks performed almost superhuman-like To wrap up our journey in China, We took a boat
acts such as popping balloons through glass with ride in the Yangtze River Delta and the skyline
a single sewing needle. looked beautiful!
Lastly, we visited an elementary school for Chil-
drens Day and they performed many songs and
we all danced to funny songs!
Shanghai
Shanghai, out last destination on our trip. Shang-
hai was definitely the best part of the trip even
though we only spent the last four remaining
days here.
Shanghais name translate to, Upon the Sea.
Shanghai is Chinas most poplous city and it is a
global financial center. Most people often com-
pare it New York City.
...Until Next Time...
Shanghai is shoppers wildest fantasy. It has many
shopping districts of high designer brand names.
Brands such as Nike, Gucci, Fendi, etc.
The Oriental Pearl Tower is Shanghais bread and
butter when it comes to tourist attractions. It
stands at over 1,400 ft tall and has a super speed
elevator that takes you 863 ft to the observation
deck in about one minute.