China is certainly nothing I could have expected, and I am glad to say that I came with an open mind because the culture in the streets of Beijing is both fabulous and shocking.

Traffic flows in every direction and includes not only cars but cyclists and pedestrians, too. People cut in line, do not say "excuse me," spit in the street, smoke in your face, do not make room for you, and yell "lao wai!" ("foreigner!") as they pedal by.

However, beyond the wonderful folks who make up the IES (Institute for the International Education of Students) program, this city is filled with good food, vibrant culture, humble people, and an array of unique opportunities. Leaving the United States to spend some surreal time in China is the perfect way to end my final year of university.

I spent the night before my departure with my mother and brother in NYC, borrowing a friend's apartment near Soho. We took silly pictures on the rooftop of the apartment building and went out for cheap Indian food. The last night of normalcy provided the perfect gateway to my trip halfway around the world.

Having been in Beijing for about a week now, I feel as though I have missed out already. This city is huge and full of history that is often guised in modern lights and buildings. The former way of life is staged in front of the modern expansion that is currently taking over, especially with the 2008 Olympics coming up.

Already, though, I have been to Tiananmen Square, around the Forbidden City, up close to Mao Zedong's massive hanging poster, wandered through and about the ill-planned public transportation system, to the Bell and Drum Tower amongst the Hutongs (alley ways that have been preserved from modern restoration), and all around the BeiWei (Beijing Foreign Studies University) where I will be attending classes tomorrow already!

The students here are wonderful and I am sure to make life-long companions. I will keep you posted as I immerse myself in this wonderful language and culture, and today I move in with my host family so wish me well!

~Saskia

My mom and I against the city-scape

Tianamen square

The subway is packed with people!

A beautiful view of the forbidden city

One of the Hutongs