So this will be the last blog post that I write. Before I close, I just would like to say that I've had an amazing summer doing research and seeing the sights. I enjoyed hanging out with other 11 members of our group plus all of the Chinese friends that we've met throughout the summer. My experiences here this summer will remain with me for the rest of my life.
If you're reading this blog now in late 2008/early 2009 and considering this program, just know that you can learn chemistry anywhere in the world but you can only experience Chinese culture in China. It's a dynamic place that is much different now than what it was 10 years ago and it will be much different in 2020 than it is today.
Please don't hesitate to send me questions about anything relating to the trip. I'll be more than happy to answer them and I'd love to talk more about my experiences if you are interested. Thanks to everyone for reading the blog!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Last Few Days/Back Home
Thursday: The gang went to the Capital Museum to see some of China's ancient artifacts. It was pretty cool but there wasn't a whole lot there. We went to Xidan afterward to shop at the clothing market and to buy food to take back to the states. We had our presentations that night...Skype kept dropping us so we couldn't really hear what was going on in Michigan. Everyone that presented did an excellent job.
Friday: Everyone else went tea shopping while Xu and I went to Fragrant Hills park. It's a really scenic park with great views of the city. We made 3 km climb to the top of the mountain and it was quite a climb. But the views of the city were worth the climb.
Saturday: I finished packing and went to Summer Palace that afternoon. The architecture of the buildings is really great but I think the place has too many souvenir shops. Most of the places require extra admission to see some of the more important places there, which I didn't have time to see. We all ate our last dinner together at a restaurant down from our apartment.
Sunday: We got a rude awakening at 0400 by the cleaning staff kicking us out of our rooms. We head for the airport where we underwent 3 separate security checks, including a pat down and physical inspection of our bags at the gate in addition to the normal security and immigration checks. We fly to Tokyo and say goodbye to Xu and Nicole. Customs in Detroit was easy; just tell them you don't have food and you won't get your bags opened. I got home around 2200 that night after 30 hrs of traveling.
So that's about the last of my blogging...I might post some closing remarks later in the week.
Friday: Everyone else went tea shopping while Xu and I went to Fragrant Hills park. It's a really scenic park with great views of the city. We made 3 km climb to the top of the mountain and it was quite a climb. But the views of the city were worth the climb.
Saturday: I finished packing and went to Summer Palace that afternoon. The architecture of the buildings is really great but I think the place has too many souvenir shops. Most of the places require extra admission to see some of the more important places there, which I didn't have time to see. We all ate our last dinner together at a restaurant down from our apartment.
Sunday: We got a rude awakening at 0400 by the cleaning staff kicking us out of our rooms. We head for the airport where we underwent 3 separate security checks, including a pat down and physical inspection of our bags at the gate in addition to the normal security and immigration checks. We fly to Tokyo and say goodbye to Xu and Nicole. Customs in Detroit was easy; just tell them you don't have food and you won't get your bags opened. I got home around 2200 that night after 30 hrs of traveling.
So that's about the last of my blogging...I might post some closing remarks later in the week.
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