NOT IN A MILLION YEARS DID I THINK . . . by Kaiti Harnish

I never thought in a million years I could fall in love with a place that is so far and different from home. So much has happened and I have met so many incredible people in such a short amount of time. Beijing first of all was so much fun. The food was amazing so I knew I would be ok just from that. Climbing the Great Wall was amazing too but such a struggle. Not joking it was like climbing 4 miles of stairs, but the view made it worth it. Also I love feeling like a celebrity because people keep coming up to the group and asking to take their picture with us! It's really funny how many pictures I have with complete strangers. Coming to Chongching was the big adjustment. In Beijing I still felt like I was in the Chinese part of Philadelphia, but when I came here I realized that I was in a whole other world. Our partner's met us at the gate and they made me feel so welcomed. My partner had introduced herself and it seemed like she did not speak too much English but we've been getting better at understanding each other. Her name is K. She also gave me a wooden letter "K" shaped pin and told me that we could match. She's so kind! Also she gave me a Chinese name, Fan Bing Bing. She's apparently a very famous actress here and every time I tell people my Chinese name they say, "Oh, I love her!" So that makes me feel good. Also I have met SO many people. All of the Chinese students want to be friends and I have been invited places with them, not just the traditional hot pot but also to their house to have dinner with their families, which I see as a great honor. And everyone is really funny. I guess it was a stereotype I had that the Chinese are very serious people but I have never laughed so much than I have in a conversation with one of them. It's crazy to see all of the similarities of people of the same age group from across the world. I have also made so many friends from other countries like Canada, Thailand, England, and Finland. Everyone here is just amazing. The only problem with this place is that I have to leave. That's all for now! 

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