Welcome, families of NSLI-Y Summer 2019 scholars, to the first edition of our Xi’an Dragons blog! Our intermediate Chinese-learners have had an action-packed 6 days in China so far. Here’s a quick run-down:
After the long flight to Beijing (the current capital of China), we had to recheck our luggage, travel to a different terminal, and board our flight to Xi’an (the ancient capital of China). But after an hour of sitting on the tarmac with no take-off in sight, they served us dinner and then promptly asked us to de-board the plane. Fortunately, they bussed us off to a new plane, and we made it to Xi’an just a bit after midnight on Sunday! Here are some highlights from our multi-leg, 28-hour journey around the globe from start to finish:
On Day 1, scholars toured the campus, got their Chinese smartphones, and met their Chinese language class teachers. Within hours, everyone was whisked away by excited host families!
Once classes started on Monday, students started to become accustomed to our daily routine of class, lunch, and afternoon activities.
I’ll leave it here for now. Be on the lookout for more updates next week!
Scholars kept their spirits high on their 13.5-hour flight to Beijing from D.C. (Sam, Maureen, Linnea, & Logan)
Glad they found us another plane to Xi’an!
One last trip before arriving in Xi’an. (Phillip, Ben, Cole, & Sam)
Scholars gathered in a conference room on their first day at Northwest University.
Our first lunch in Xi’an. (Phillip, Ben, Logan, Gillian, & Jacob)
Campus tour under the sun at 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scholars enjoying lunch at the Northwest University cafeteria. (Jacob, Logan, Amaya, Maureen, Jacqueline, Gillian, & Jovanna)
Role-playing in Chinese class. (Gillian, Phillip, Easton, Ben, & Audra)
Scholars meeting their peer language partners for the first time. (Cole & Ben)
Here are our dragons practicing Tai Chi.
Kayden and Audra at the Muslim Quarter enjoying a very Western treat.
Scholars at the Great Mosque of Xi’an. Construction of the mosque began in the 8th century CE. (Sam, Jacqueline, Amaya, & Audra)
Nina and her host brother.
Our arrival at PEK (Beijing Capital International Airport). (Gillian, Logan, Jovanna, Easton, London, Cameron, Linnea, Amaya, Jacqueline, Jacob)