Pre-Travel Gitters

I cannot believe it. A month has passed since we arrived in Shanghai. There have been some low's but an overwhelming amount of high's. As my parents have said a few times over facetime: China has been treating me well. But as September comes to a close that means it's time for October (Duh I know, but hold on -  I promise I have a point). In America, October is pretty much synonymous with Halloween. In China, it's all about The National Holiday. Like Fourth of July for an entire week, China spends every October 1-7 celebrating the founding of The People's Republic of China on September 21st, 1949. During this holiday, I will be traveling to Hong Kong and Macau. I am so beyond excited, however, there are always a few butterflies when it comes to traveling. Expect the unexpected has always been my motto for travel, however, in Asia I feel it is best to have as much planned out as humanly possible. But even then, you still can't account for all things going on around you. For instance, yesterday 38 people were injured in Hong Kong during a protest and the situation is still shaky (read more here). Not exactly what I had in mind for the long weekend. I have been assured by many locals that I would have to literally join the protest to be in any danger, but the fact that it is still going on is worrisome. Needless to say, pre-travel gitters are abundant. I am trying to shake off the general worries about traveling and focus instead on the wonderful things we have planned. From firework watching in Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong Disney, and a daytrip to Macau, there is no doubt in my mind that we are going to have a fantastic time. But to all those who are still concerned (Mommy), I promise to keep updates frequent and to be extremely careful!

PS - Newsletter 2 is out! CLICK HERE to read it! <3

love,
kpk

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

I am the Communications Specialist for the Shanghai International Program and while the day-in-day-out work includes updating white boards, Facebook posts, and emails to reflect current news of the house, I am also responsible for publishing a newsletter. In my job description it really leaves the newsletter open-ended in terms of its contents and style.  This has been so daunting to try and incorporate all of the amazing things that have been going on in the Jia into a few simple pages to reflect our entire program. But the first issue is officially out! With the burden of first impressions over with, I am fairly confident that the newsletter accurately represents our program. So, without further adieu, here is the first issue of the "Jia Newsletter!" If you're interested in subscribing to its weekly publication, please send an email to shanghainewsletter@gmail.com with the subject line "Subscribe." Share it with everyone! Thank you all!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE "JIA NEWSLETTER"

// the newsletter \\

love,
kpk

Missed Trains and Lost on Mopeds

Last I left you, I was anxiously awaiting my first weekend trip to Hangzhou and MY oh my have things happened since then. So first, Hangzhou was beautiful. The picturesque West Lake (pictured on the back of the 1 kuai bill) was everything I was hoping it would be, even in the overcast weather. But getting there was not so picturesque. While waiting in the train station for our 8:47 AM to Hangzhou, we stopped to get food. We finished in plenty of time, but right before we returned to our terminal someone in our party was MIA. Minutes ticked by and sooner or later it was 8:36 when we were all back and sprinting to our gate. We arrived only to be stared down by the ticket agent. Obviously, communication was a little issue so he just stood there and let me attempt to scan my ticket. A large, red, and clearly english sign read: SEE TICKET AGENT. Joy. So two hours and 18 kuai later, we boarded our train to Hangzhou with a sigh of relief. Five straight hours of walking around the lake were wonderful but I definitely learned a lot more that day than I was expecting to. But the lessons did not end there! Monday night a group of students decided to drive their mopeds for the first time to dinner. To assure we wouldn't get lost we quick looked up directions beforehand. A mere 1 mile and 4 turns total awaited us - how could things possibly go wrong? Well somehow in the sea of mopeds I got separated from the group and it took me over an hour to get back. I wish there was a better excuse but truthfully I just refused to go on the sidewalk like the locals when the streets were "no moped" zones. On the upside of my two misadventures, I learned a lot about how China functions in the transportation sector. I confidently can navigate train stations and drive my moped safely. To whatever adventures await until next time!

love,

kpk

We Survived Week 1!

Simply put: being in China is awesome. There are a lot of alienating factors, but overall the atmosphere is intense and exciting. We spent the week in an orientation daze running all over the city for various activities. The highlights would definitely have to be Tianzifang, Shanghai circus (which will ruin all future circus experiences it was so cool), and our Shanghai scavenger hunt that brought out the competitive sides of the group while making us all realize how much of the city we had already mastered and how much more we have to go. The pictures of the scavenger hunt are currently being judged/scored but they will be shared soon because they are absolutely hilarious. It is pretty incredible how, as a group, our program has matured from barely being able to find our way across the street to driving mopeds across Shanghai and back for groceries.

Today is the second day of classes and it seems as if a rhythm has set in. Between classes we talk about cities, restaurants, and bars we want to visit and it is great. Time is a hot commodity here but I feel confident in saying that we are all making the most of it. On the docket for this weekend is a day trip to Huangzhou with a good portion of program and then our first full week of classes. I can't wait to share all highs and inevitable lows of our first weekend trip! Until then...

// the bund - downtown shanghai \\

love,
kpk

Hai there

My first post from Shanghai! Thrilled to honestly say the 24 hour journey to China was only plagued by fatigue instead of travel faux pas. And even though the time difference is difficult, a sense of euphoria of exploring this wonderful city has made it well worth it to stay up. The city, though still greatly unexplored, seems absolutely wonderful and the 41 classmates who joined me seem just as eager to make this place a home as me.
The jia (house/home in Chinese) is surprisingly very homey and we have all have settled in pretty well. More pictures of the facility to come but for now I've uploaded our orientation schedule through next Thursday when classes begin. Also, check out my facebook album "god give me subtitles" to see more pictures of the day-to-day in China. The link above is available to use even if you don't have a facebook!
Happy Friday America and Happy Saturday China!

love,
kpk

And the Journey Begins

It's about time, right? Hard to believe my first blog post contained a countdown to this very day. No matter how many times I have mentally, physically, emotionally prepared myself for this moment, it still came so quickly and is drastically different than I imagined. Nothing new in terms of predicting what new experiences feel like, but nevertheless entirely shocking. China has been all but a very distant concept until today. Today, Shanghai is my home. My fifteen hour travel begins right now and I'm sure the flight, customs, and initial culture shock will be plenty to report back on for my next entry. Until then, stick tight and know that I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Love,
kpk

ps. prayers for safe and seamless travel are selfish are always greatly appreciated