My Experiences in China June 1997 - August 1998 (lived in Beijing) September 2001 - March 2002 (lived in Shanghai)

Being abroad in China was one of the greatest experiences in my life. Not only did I get to visit over twenty cities in China, I learned so much about the people, the culture and places that gave me a great new perspective on life.

and some other places....

The people of China are very interesting. During initial contact with people, they are not the friendliest people but they sure are GENUINE. When you really get to know individuals, you realize that they are the seriously the nicest people in the world. Even though most people don't have much, they are so hospitable. They sacrifice their comforts to make sure you have the best food and is taken care of . I have met some of the most wonderful human beings in China.

The atmosphere seems very chaotic but yet quite mellow. We called it "chaotic harmony." It seemed to take forever to get anywhere in Beijing because there were so many cars. But somehow there was always plenty of time in the day to rest and relax. Many of the small responsibilities that I had in the United States were gone. I didn't have to worry about paying rent, bills, or balancing a checkbook. There were no financial worries nor obligations. It was very nice because I was allowed to live a day at a time and enjoy my day to its fullest.

Being in China for a year also taught me to look at situations from different perspectives. Learning all of this is what will guide me through the rest of my life. Knowing how to see things from more than one perspective is invaluable because it helps me keep an open mind and be more understanding of others.

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