It was an amazing experience to spend 8 weeks studying and living in Beijing, but I’m still glad to be back in the United States. It’s nice to see clear, blue skies almost everyday again, though there were actually periods of good weather and little pollution.
Beijing is notorious for the smog so it was quite a sight so see days like this:
Studying abroad in Beijing was an opportunity of a lifetime. For one, my trip to Beijing was a chance to connect with my cultural heritage. As a Chinese American, I was born and spent most of life in America. Living in China meant experiencing a new, different culture that was familiar at the same time in terms of language and food. Beijing also had a special meaning to me since my mom grew up in Beijing and my parents met there. In addition, I really had the chance to grow in my language skills and knowledge of modern China. For example, I had many opportunities to talk with locals about China about the differences between China and America. It was also the first opportunity I had to really experience and appreciate China for myself. Growing up I always heard stories about China from my parents, but after I came back I had the chance to share some of my own stories about a different China than the one they had lived in.
Now that I’m back in Evanston and starting up a new quarter, I definitely feel a sense of nostalgia for the days spent in China where we would go out exploring or wander around a Chinese mall or find some new restaurant to try out. The program itself was great and I learned a lot. Ultimately, I can say I had a great summer and an unforgettable experience.