I am extremely nervous right now. Next week I will be arriving at Bejing and I have no idea of what to expect. I am very excited, but at the same time I don't know how the experience of being in China for two months is going to be like. I've travelled to many other places before, but unlike these previous experiences, I am now going to be in another country for two whole months and without being able to speak any English or Spanish. It's going to be so tough!!!
I know it's definitely going to be worth it, though. I've been waiting for this type of opportunity for a very long time. I want to go beyond just being able to be 'knowledgable' in Chinese. I want to be fluent. Staying in China this summer is definitely the best way to improve my Chinese, but I still can't avoid thinking over and over again about how it's all going to be like. How am I going to communicate complety in Chinese after only one year of study? How is it going feel being surrounded by the Chinese people, language and customs?
Every time I'm about to go on a trip I get really impatient. I just want the day to come already and avoid all of this horrible waiting. I still have about a week left, though.
This is my outline for the summer, by the way:
June 14:
Leave for Beijing
June 15- August 17:
HBA
August 18 - August 27
Go around Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai with my mother
Well, this is basically how I am feeling right now. I am really excited about everything and nervous at the same time. If everything turns out alright, the next time I post I will be in 北京!!! See you next week!!!
3 comments:
Dear An Zhihe:
I see how excited you are about going to China soon! I can also understand how much anxiety one must have as the day of departure is drawing near. I think you will find people in Beijing very friendly to you. So, when you don't understand something people say, just ask them to repeat. "Duibuqi, wo mei tingqingchu, qing nin zai shuo yi bian." Believe me, you have learned a lot of characters and vocabulary and you have learned them so well. You have also memorized so many dialogs and texts. So, you have learned enough to handle basic daily situations. I believe you will adjust to the new environment very quickly and enjoy trying your language skills in real life. Always take a little notepad to write down things you learn from friends or people you meet on the street, in the park and so on. Carry a small dictionary with you when you go out. Here's my recommendation for a good dictionary.
Langenscheidt's Pocket Dictionary Chinese/English English/Chinese (Turtleback) by Langenscheidt (Author), Langenscheidt Editorial (Author)
# ISBN-10: 1585730572
# ISBN-13: 978-1585730575
On Amazon, it says it would take 4 to 6 weeks to ship, but if you click on "Buy used & new", you could get it sooner or have it shipped to China later by your parents.
I also recommend a book called "River Town" which I think would help you know more about the Chinese people and an American lived in a small town in China. It's very interesting.
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (P.S.) (Paperback)
by Peter Hessler (Author)
# ISBN-10: 0060855029
# ISBN-13: 978-0060855024
Have a good trip. I am sure you will do well in HBA and I look forward to seeing you and all other students in August.
Yours,
Zhou laoshi
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