Hello! Ni hao!
We have been so busy these past few days that I couldn’t possibly tell you of everything. Therefore I have selected some highlights! So enjoy. Oh, and I have been trying to add some moral type titbits to my recent blogs so I shall duly continue this trend. I would say that you should always follow your passion and your joy, but remember in the end you have to face the consequences and you have to live with them. Learn to live life as it comes at ya and always do what you feel is the right thing. This has nothing to do with the forthcoming blog but I feel like I’m learning a lot about myself in China and I kinda feel like I’m growing up.
The House of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to China
Oops! In my previous blog I forget to write about a very stunning event!
On the first Friday after we arrived all forty fellows had the privilege of attending a welcoming reception at the house of the British Ambassador to China. The reception would also be a chance to meet with some representatives from the corporate hosts who partake in the programme in China. This was my first visit to the residence of any ambassador and so it was a very exciting and special experience. Needless to say, his house was very nice and had guards on the entrance; we also were not allowed to take pictures inside.
Once inside we were met by waiters with trays of drinks, including both alcoholic and soft drink refreshments. All the fellows were dressed in smart efforts and all in all the occasion made me feel like a very important person. Once everyone had arrived the evening kicked off with speeches from three distinguished guests, including the Ambassador himself, the vice-chairman of BNU and a 2008 Fellow. His Excellency Ambassador Wood gave a talk about the importance of the UK’s strengthening relationship and the vice-chairman talked of BNU’s internationalisation. However, the most inspirational talk was from the Fellow, as he talked about how the GF can positively impact our lives and lead on to avenues of new opportunities.
After the talks and introductions were satisfactorily completed it was time for the fellows to mingle with the corporate representatives. Ours was called Justin, and he is the manager of HSBC in Beijing. We had a very interesting conversation with him; we learnt about his son studying in the UK and how he thinks that British students don’t work hard enough, the lack of change that has taken place in London over the past twenty years and how Chinese culture should be taught more in British schools. However, we still failed to find out many details about our placement in Shanghai, but not to worry it’ll all come as a nice and fresh surprise…hopefully! Or perhaps they’re not telling us for a reason!
As the night weaned away it was eventually time to leave our elaborate settings and return to BNU. When I first applied for this programmed I had no idea about the esteem I would find myself in. Already I have experienced so many unforgettable things and time and time again I find myself feeling uncommonly lucky to have received a place. Let the good times keep on rolling :P!
Peking University
On Tuesday a few of us took a trip to Peking University to have a look around the campus. Peking is considered to be the best university in China and is one of the top ones in Asia and the world. We were given a tour by our Chinese coordinator Ariel, who studied there as a student.
In China, only 12% of people go to university, much less than the UK where this figure is around 50%. This is despite university being relatively cheap in China and costing around £800 per year, with government subsides also available. Peking is roughly China’s equivalent to our Oxbridge as they triple academic excellence, with beautiful surroundings and visits from foreign leaders. One of the most prominent features of the university is the water tower as well as the large swimming lake. In 2008 the university also hosted some of the table tennis events at the Beijing Olympics.
Peking is regarded by many to be one of the world’s leading universities and as China’s status grows it looks as though the prestige of its most famous university may do so also.
The Legend of Kung Fu
On Wednesday evening all the fellows got to go to The Red Theatre in Beijing to watch a performance of Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu. It was spectacular! The strength and skill of the actors was truly amazing, and it was an exciting reminder of the importance of kung fu and tai chi in China.
The play tells the story of a young boy, Chun Yi, whose mother leaves him at an abbot where he is to be taught the art of kung fu. After initial reluctance the boy begins to embrace his new life and grows in skill and strength. However his ego becomes to big and he adversely affects himself. He then learns the error of his ways, and when his master dies, he takes his place at the head of the abbot. (Okay, so that’s a brief, slightly inaccurate and quite confusing synopsis). The moral of the play is that in order to become at one with the world you must be trained both spiritually and physically, and let go of all earthly possessions and distractions.
This was a very enjoyable experience and I was mesmerised by the sheer talent of those involved. Some of the actors were just young boys who were able to perform back flips and other moves of great strength. There was also a scene where a man and a woman were dancing in the air, attached to some cloth, and another were a man had a concrete slate cracked on his back as he lay on top of needles and blades and another man!
798 Art District
On Thursday afternoon we travelled to Beijing’s 798 art district, where we got a chance to look at some urban and contemporary Chinese art. It was super hot today and at times it was uncomfortably hot. I had mixed reactions to the art – some pieces were very good, such as the wooden walls, whilst others seemed obscure and abstract, although perhaps that is their charm. I always think art is a very subjective entity and means different things to different people. Although some of the art appeared traditionally Chinese (depicting women and Chinese animals) some of it was not, and in some ways this represents Beijing as a whole, where there is a blend of Chinese and non-Chinese culture.
My Mandarin lessons are going well and I enjoy them very much. We have two teachers who are both very nice and very good teachers! Our second teacher, Tracey, gives us games to play and also interesting punishments! We have to prepare a Chinese song to perform to the other classes. Our practicing is going well and we have lots of fun! It remains to be seen whether we have nailed the song or not. Tomorrow we got to a village for which I am very excited. I better go and get ready.
By the way, here is a poem I wrote about my first week in China. Hope you like. ;)
Beijing
The dragon is waking.
Though in truth, it never really slept.
And now, I am in its belly.
Early morning, and already the smoke and fire begin to flow out of its nostrils.
And it won’t stop. Ever.
It stirs and twitches, as four million cars cover its body.
All through the night the humming of engines clings to my ears, allowing me no peace.
The noise here never stops.
It can only be ignored.
As my tired sinew begins to spread, sweat dances on my skin. Heat falls relentlessly, though you cannot see the sun.
The air lays heavy on my lungs, one deep breath feels shallow, but it is all I can take.
I am tired for being awake.
It comes and it comes.
An endless flood of people, of buses, of life.
And I am only one.
One small, insignificant particle.
One of twenty million who call this creature home.
A creature, which everyday grows.
Urban sprawling, taller growing.
It cannot go on forever. But yet it does.
Soon, they say, this will be the king of the animal kingdom.
No one else can match its power.
The whole world, beneath its claw.
And when it breathes,
we all roar ‘Beijing’.
Thanks for reading.
Ollie :D