My First Month in China (中国)
I arrived in Beijing (北京) on an early Tuesday morning, after leaving Scotland on Monday morning, and was met by 35+ degrees heat and a 2-hour bus journey to our new home for the next 10 months.
Classes started on the third week after our arrival so that gave us two weeks to get settled in, explore the city, sort out all our paperwork, and to get a medical examination (the fun stuff!). While exploring the city, I had my first experience of public transport in Tianjin (天津) by catching the subway. The closest stop is roughly 50 metres from the front gates of our accommodation and the tickets costs range from 2 to 4 Yuan which is less than 50p. A group of us used the subway to get to Minyuan Stadium. Minyuan Stadium is rather a European style colosseum with a variety of shops and restaurants built into the arches that surround a 4-lane running track. The spectacle of the combination of shops and running track was made even odder by the underground shopping centre and a stage for concerts and other entertainment in the middle of the track. Luckily for us, we went during a live music performance. The music was Chinese pop which isn’t very different to Western pop music. I went for a short 2k run around the track weaving around the hundreds of other shoppers and runners. It was very chaotic – very different to my local running track!
Later that week we used the subway again, but this time we went to the city centre during the evening. Nearly all the skyscrapers are lit up with colourful lights making the scenery very vivid. From there we walked to the Italian Quarter which is a small, village-like area in the middle of the city. It’s filled with European-style restaurants and stalls. We also managed to squeeze in a visit to the Ancient Culture Street. This is a very popular tourist attraction. The streets were packed with quaint markets and stalls that sold everything! Chinese clothes, jewellery, toys, and souvenirs. We took this as a perfect opportunity to practice our Chinese, by bargaining with the locals.
During the second week, we had to get the compulsory medical for staying in China. The bus left at 7am and took us to the other side of Tianjin (a journey equivalent to going from Ellon to Dundee!). Once we got there it took a full 7 hours to get all the foreign students through the medical examination. This consisted of; a full chest x-ray to check various organs, an ECG that checks the health of the heart, an ultrasound of the stomach, an eye test, bloods taken and urine sample to rule out many diseases and conditions, blood pressure and finally have our weight and height measured. The whole experience was very different to any medical I’ve ever had at home but was very thorough. I was shattered after we left the hospital! When I returned to the accommodation, I was introduced to my new roommate, Kuba from Kyrgyzstan. Kuba is 20 years old and going through his bachelors degree. He speaks Russian, Chinese, Kyrgyz and English which is very interesting to hear someone switch between four languages so easily.
After our two weeks of settling in, classes started. The teaching building is just next door to our accommodation. The walk is significantly shorter than getting to Ellon Academy! We have four different classes; listening, reading, character writing and oral. I have very little Mandarin so I’m in the beginner’s class. I already feel like I’ve learnt so much although I’ve only been in class for two weeks. We have plenty free time each day after Uni finishes and I’ve used this time to take advantage of the Alipay bikes. They are public bikes that you can use at any time for only £2 a month. To use the bikes, you must scan the code on the bike using your phone and then you can take them anywhere. Cycling around this city is an experience in itself! Tianjin is a very busy city with 6-lane roads and cycling along them reminds me a bit like being on a roller-coaster, especially since cars can still turn even on red lights!
I hope you have all enjoyed my first blog. If there is anything you want to see or hear about in any of my future blogs don’t hesitate to ask. Zaijian! 再见 (Goodbye!)