25 May 2009 | Uncategorized | tribbj
From: Rachel Decapita
Date: 05/22/2009 11:05 AM
Subject: China Blog
My Blog:
China is amazing. I would like to thank everyone who made this happen. This is an absolutely priceless experience. Beijing was filled with so much to see: The Great Wall, The Temple of Heavens, Tienanmen Square, The Forbidden City and The Summer Palace. Beijing’s amazing sights enlightened us as American students of the Chinese culture. The symbolic meaning of the heavenly circle to the peach shaped lake which symbolizes longevity. The knowledge enabled us as students to understand how the traditional practices of the culture play into the everyday life of the Chinese people. Every tradition created, building constructed, and ritual practiced held a meaning. Even today this part of the culture stands for the Chinese people.
Xi’an was a city which welcomed us Sage students to eat delicious dumplings and visit the Terracotta Warriors which stand guard till this day for the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. The last day at Xi’an was a spiritual one. The group decided to challenge ourselves in climbing a 15 story pagoda. It was said the higher you were, the closer to God you were. All of the Sage MBA group came as close to God as that pogoda would let us, while tour guide John sat at the bottom talking to himself. LOL… Finally an esquisite trip to the Jade factory concluded our visit to Xi’an.
Guilin is the paradise of China. The scenary was breathtaking and the people were fabulous. This is what I would love to call traditional China. Guilin holds the record of our group as a favorite.
Final destination, Shanghai. Time for school. The staff welcomed us with open arms in an opening ceremony which made me as an American student attending a Chinese Unitversity feel proud. The week was filled with activities which including stimulating lectures. All lectures were given by gifted faculty here at SIFT. All knowledge learned in our weeks of touring was irreplacable when applying it to the exercises in class. Today, 5/22/2009, SIFT lectures came to a closing. SIFT prepared a closing ceremony which provided us with extrodinary certificates. The students and faculty held a party for the closing ceremony with the Sage Students as the guests of honor. Besides SIFT and Sage, North Dakota University and Stetson joined us. I felt extremely welcomed and honored. SIFT students and faculty are amazing. I can confidently say, I am proud of my fellow classmates and myself. We have become like family and there was no one better to go on this trip with than those who attended. If I had to do it all over, I wouldn’t change a thing.
XIE XIE
-Rachel
P.S. We still have three days, it;s not over yet!
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21 May 2009 | Uncategorized | tribbj
From: Tammy Fritze
Date: 05/20/2009 11:47 A
Subject: China -for blog
This trip is packed with so many wonderful places to see and things to do as well as new friends we have made. We are all a bit sleep deprived, however it is 100% worth it. From Beijing to Xian to Guilin and now Shanghai this is really the first time I have had a moment to think about writing from my perspective on the trip to China so far. At first, I wasn’t too crazy about the 14 hour plane ride from DC to Beijing, and although it was long, the excitement of being here just mounted along the way and it went by much faster than expected and the flight was so smooth you almost forget you are miles and miles above the ground.
When we arrived in Beijing the first thing I noticed was the structure and uniformity of procedures at the airport and the cleanliness as well. The Chinese to English interpretations on some of the signage was misspelled or just worded much differently than how we speak and it only got better as the trip continued because I made it a point to read every sign from that point forward. The Chinese language is very complicated with so many characters to learn and tones of words when speaking it is overwhelming and many Chinese do not even know the language or writing themselves fluently.
Our group is great, we have a good time with the tour guides on the trip laughing and joking with them on the topic of language. I could write details for everything we have done however it would end up being a book and at this point my bed is looking really comfy to lay down in right now!
Overall I will close with saying that my impression of China as portrayed in America formed a completely different image in my mind form what I have seen. In a way I think of China as a somewhat cautious place to go to due to the communist government and that the people might not like us. Everything from this trip tells me it is the absolute complete opposite. There is order, no chaos, there is structure and systems and direction in place for the people of China to abide by. Although overpopulation puts a hold on some freedoms such as having more than one child without restrictions and the need to retire at age 55 for women and 60 for men, it helps create order. …
I see much of the original culture and history being changed in China from the influence of Western ideas and culture. Beijing is growing rapidly and remarkably well. On another note, the people of China are incredibly welcoming and have the kindest of intentions when they see you and meet you. At first I was wondering why everyone was starring at us so much, it got to certain points in the trip where we actually were asked to have photos taken and they were all so full of excitement as if we were celebrities. Although globalization brings us all so much closer it also does eliminate some of the culture that originates in the country’s history as part of its core likeness. China is beautiful and I would definitely return again.
1 Comment
21 May 2009 | Uncategorized | tribbj
From: Michael Bifano
Date: 05/20/2009 10:47 AM
Subject: Xian
Let me tell you about Xi’an. Xi’an is like the first note that you ever wrote and passed in class, or perhaps, more like the first that you ever received. It is the exhilarating feeling of capturing the unknown when unfolding a new story. Just like the note, as you unfold the story of Xi’an, each crease paints an emotional discovery. We can unravel the city of Xi’an just as we do the note, one discovery at a time. One of the most ancient cities in all of China becomes one that you are most drawn to in modern times. Answers to the question, what was it like in China thousands of years ago are answered when you smell the clay of the terracotta warriors. Climbing the oldest Bogotá in China makes you appreciate the sophistication of China’s past and the accomplishments of its civilizations. Whether you are climbing closer to heaven or trying to embrace the intimidation of thousands of ancient warriors, you are forced to appreciate the symmetry between the complexity and simplicity of Chinas past and present while in Xi’an.
So let us close our eyes together and remember what it was like discovering the message of the first note we ever passed, and let it remind us of the same feeling we arrived at in Xi’an. The history of China wants to pass along a message of tradition and discipline, and it does so by letting us unfolding each crease of Xi’an.
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