“You’re going to China?!?!?”  This is the response I received from my friends and family a few months before I took the seventeen hour plane flight to what is now my home.   I have been here for less than two months now, but I feel like I have had a year’s worth of experiences.  The first few weeks of China were interesting to say the least.  I almost made the mistake of buying an item at full price, enjoyed but did not know what I was eating on most days, and had found that my rock hard bed was actually very comfortable.  I find new things everyday that astonish and shock me and I relish every opportunity to become more involved with the people and culture of the city.  On my morning trek to the office or class I see various activities that the locals enjoy.  Kite flying, Chinese chess, dancing with fans, exercising in the local parks, all can be seen regularly and they are more than happy to let you join in. 

I would have to say however that my most enjoyable experiences in China thus far have been teaching and getting to know the people in our program.  Before coming here I had no idea what to expect from either, but both have now become a part of my daily life that I can honestly say I enjoy to the fullest.  My new roommates (Dave and Paul) invited me warmly into what was their apartment when I arrived and were very helpful in getting me acclimated to my new surroundings.  I know that we all enjoy each other’s company and movie night at the girl’s apartment with a few beers or (if we’re feeling courageous) baijiu has become a regular attraction.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of people work and grow so quickly and well together and I know the future only holds more excitement and adventure for us all. 

Speaking of excitement and adventure, teaching in a Beijing classroom deals out its fair share of both on a regular basis.  Whether it is getting a new class the Monday it starts or having a little debate with a student about whether or not Henry Ford really did invent the car, each day is always filled with a few surprises.  My biggest surprise came when one of my classes recently ended and my class invited me to go on a hike with them.  I could never in my life imagine an American classroom asking their teacher out for a social engagement.  I was very touched and cheerfully accepted.  The hike was unbelievable.  Instead of walking around the countryside my students actually took me to a very famous site called the Temple of Divine Light.  At the Temple of Divine Light there is a famous pagoda called the Thousand-Buddhist-Statues Pagoda.  It earned this name because of the many statues of Buddha found here.  The reason it is so famous however is for housing the holy relic tooth of Sakyamuni.  After seeing all the amazing statues and religious displays we began our hike up to the top of the mountain.  It provided amazing scenery and gave me a great opportunity to get to know my students outside of the classroom.   About halfway through our hike we stopped and ate a picnic which they had all prepared and followed it up with a few games that they knew and were eager to teach me.  I was amazed at how they treated me more like just another friend than their teacher and how inviting and warm-hearted they all were. 

After our hike up the rest of the mountain I was astonished at the view of Beijing it provided.  It really gave me an idea of how enormous the city really is and how far it spreads.  After playing a few more games we headed back down and I thought our day was coming to a close, but this was not the case.   Instead of heading back home they all invited and treated me to a fabulous hotpot (a traditional Chinese meal) dinner.  At this dinner I was able to teach them a few games and they all seemed to thoroughly enjoy them.  We got to know each other very well throughout this day and it was truly my most enjoyable and comforting experience since I came to Beijing.  Instead of what I thought would be a final goodbye to my students I now feel like I have gained many friends.  I still keep contact with a few of them and often think of the time we spent together, both in and out of the classroom.  China is still a mysterious place to me but getting to know and spend time with people like these students has made me really start to love the country.  I know the future only holds better and brighter things.