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February / March 2003
Inside this edition:
Weekend Excursion: Forbidden City
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On Feb 23rd, a still chilly Sunday before the real spring, the new World Link students went to Forbidden City as their first weekend excursion in Beijing. Forbidden City, literally "Purple Forbidden City"-an apt name for the cloistered seat of the notoriously incestuous royal court--is the largest palace complex in the world. With a history of more than five hundred and sixty years, it has inhabited twenty-four emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The palace occupies an area of 720,000 square meters-enclosing over 9,000 rooms. Our guide gave the students a vivid description of the historical and background of it. The trip was really a fun and informative one.
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Listening to the guide's explanation
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Anthony and Angus next to the huge cropper water bucket. The bucket was used to contain water in case of fire.
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Yellow and green roof, red wall are the main features of the Forbidden City
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A group picture together
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World Link Activity: Social Night
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On Feb 28th, the first night for our new students, they were taken to a newly opened caf?/ bar called "Suzie Wong". The atmosphere was a combination of both Chinese and Western. The establishment occupied two floors, with traditional Chinese furniture and decorations. The students hung out and chatted with each other, drinking and listening to the music. It was a good place where to find either peaceful or boisterous space according to your taste.
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From left to right: Martin, WLE staff Cindy, Ken, Ellen, Terence
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Back from left to right: Corrine and her friend, Linda, Ken, Jeff, Front Debbie and Karen
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Antonio and Kuit
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Weekend Excursion: Old Summer Palace
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On March 9th, the nice weather of Beijing made the weekend trip to the Old Summer Palace an impressive one. The Old Summer Palace was built in 12th century of Qing Dynasty. It was a collection of classic buildings, many of which were designed by Jesuit priests, in pseudo-Grecian style. However, this "Park of Parks," as its Chinese name indicates, was destroyed in 1860, by British and French troops. The Palaces were razed and then burned down. Today only some relics remain from the destruction from which we were still able to imagine its previous glory.
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Walking through the Maze in the park. Jonathan, Lee and Sadie.
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All succeeded in getting on the center pavilion of the Maze.
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Memory of history.
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A memorable moment
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Monthly Trip: Xi'an Trip
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On Mar 15, World Link students set off for their first monthly trip of this year. The group to Xi'an comprised of twenty-four students. As always, Terracotta Army was the biggest attraction in Xi'an and despite the two thousand years it had gone through, it kept its breathtaking glamour. Other attractions visited included the ancient city walls, Hua Qing Hot Spring Palace from the Tang Dynasty and Da Yan Pagoda. We also visited the Muslim snack street where we ate to our fullness.
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Walking under the ancient City Wall
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Listening to the explanation of the guide
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The ancient housing in Hua Qin Palace
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The ancient City Wall and the moat from a distance
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World-known Terracotta Army
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Beautiful Hua Qin Palace and the hot spring
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Weekend Excursion: Madam Song's Residence
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On Sun, Mar 23, WLE students paid a visit to the Old Residence of Madam Song Qingling, who was the late widow of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China. After the Communists defeated the Kuomingtang in 1949, Song Qingling stayed in China despite the fact that her younger sister, Soong May-ling fled to Taiwan with her husband, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The residence originally belonged to a Qing Dynasty official during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor. Song later became vice-president of the PRC and spent her final days in the walls of this beautiful compound. There is also a museum which chronicles her life from the time she moved from Shanghai in 1963 until her death in 1981, where her own photographs, letter, articles, and everyday objects are on display.
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A group photo in front of the courtyard style residence.
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Listening to the guide's explanation.
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Some pictures of Madam Song's earlier days life.
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Angus Reid
Name: Angus Reid
Program Enrolled in WLE: One academic year, BLCU (CL1y: 2/03)
Country of Residence: Sweden
Citizenship: British
Profession: Over three years in investment banking
Educational Background: Bachelor Degree in Law
Languages Spoken: English, Swedish and some French
Hobbies: Travel, reading, writing
Q1: Is this your first time in China?
Yes
Q2: Why did you decide to study Chinese Language?
Mainly as a personal challenge and as a way to get a more in-depth appreciation of Chinese culture and to facilitate my eventual plans to travel around China
Q3: How are you finding your studies in China?
Very interesting and very challenging
Q4: Has it been what you had expected?
My studies have exceeded my expectations both in terms of the quality of the teaching at BLCU and the intensity of the course. What is more the atmosphere of the campus and the classroom is highly conducive to learning and I feel that my proficiency in Mandarin is progressing well.
Q5: How do you like Beijing?
Beijing is a great city to both live and study in
Q6: What do you find most interesting in Beijing?
The sheer size and diversity of the city itself
07: What is your memorable experience in Beijing?
Several memorable experiences in so far as discovering Beijing is concerned. Perhaps the one that comes readily to mind is getting lost in the older parts of the city south of Tiananmen Square, being transported back in time down small bustling alleys aligned with old buildings and food stalls, and getting help from the bemused but very friendly locals.
Q8: How has your experience in China changed you, if it has?
It hasn't so much change me as reminded me that the best in life always comes if you remain flexible and open to every experience. This is essential if you want to get the best out of Beijing.
Q9: What is the thing you like best about Beijing/China?
In Beijing it has to be the food, the people and the city's ability to never fail to surprise me!
Q10: Will you come to China/Beijing again?
Yes (that's assuming I ever leave!)
Q11: What advices/tips would you give to others who plan to come and study in China?
Anyone planning to come to study in Beijing for an extended period of time should try to undertake as much research as possible before coming.
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Victor Sanchez-Ostos
Name: Victor Sanchez-Ostos
Program Enrolled in WLE: Chinese Language and Business (Beginners)
Country of Residence: Mexico
Citizenship: Mexican
Profession: Civil Engineer
Educational Background:
Civil Engineer from Tecnologico de Monterrey
Master in Administration of Higher Education from the University of Alabama.
BRIEF WORK HISTORY:
Director of Open High School (Tec de Monterrey)
Director of Planning and Development (T. de M.)
Director of Student Affairs (T. de M.)
Vice-President of Student Affairs (T. de M.)
Professor of several subjects in Civil Engineering and Cinema.
Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
Hobbies: Books, Films and Music
Q1: Is this your first time in China?
No, the first time was in March of 2002 and the second in December of the same year.
Q2: Why did you decide to study Chinese Language and Business?
Because I think in the future it is going to be very useful in certain fields, such as Education.
Q3: How are you finding your studies in China?
Well, as a beginner a little tough, but also very interesting, amazing and sometimes enlightening.
Q4: Has it been what you had expected?
Yes, and getting better and better everyday.
Q5: How do you like Beijing?
Very, it is a city that is beautiful, interesting alive and in constant change.
Q6: What do you find most interesting in Beijing?
It is a city full of culture and history, and to see by your own eyes the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall just to name a few is great and fabulous. Also then people of Beijing it is extremely interesting.
07: What is your memorable experience in Beijing?
In Beijing to see and touch all the memorable places that I mentioned before...and in China to see those incredible mountains in Guilin, the Terracota Army in Xi'an, the old and new Shanghai and to experience the vibrant life of Hong Kong. Ah, and the food, it is incredible, amazing and one of the bests in the world.
Q8: How has your experience in China changed you, if it has?
Of course I have changed, to be more patient, to appreciate the things that sometimes we take for granted and to interact with wonderful people, that changes you in a positive way.
Q9: What is the thing you like best about Beijing/China?
The people...All the persons are very nice interesting and friendly, all the time they do their best and always have a smile for us, and try to understand us, even when we can not communicate in their language, that is something great about them...Sincerely I appreciate that...Also, to see that trees are turning green after a long and hard winter?br>
Q10: Will you come to China/Beijing again?
Yes
Q11: What advices/tips would you give to others who plan to come and study in China?
To master the four tones...Ha ha ha. And, seriously to be prepared for a great experience.
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