Today was a great day!

Today was slightly brisk, but beautiful, sunny, and in Beijing! I was met on campus and taken to meet with Maria Meng. What struck me the most was, upon getting on the bus, the bus (okay, the audio recording on the bus) announces stops in clear and understandable Chinese AND English! I don’t remember buses talking when I was last in China, much less, them being bilingual! 

I digress:  Maria Meng is part of CIS in China and is the main person responsible for our students. Maria speaks nearly perfect English, and is just lovely. I’m thrilled that she will be taking care of CIS students in China.

That afternoon, Jon, Maria’s second in command, their driver and I went to the airport to pick up Adam and Latisha. Both of their flights arrived early and they both got through customs and luggage pick up without a hitch. Jon brought absolutely gorgeous flower arrangements for both students; classy!  We piled into the car, and headed back to the UIBE.  Adam and Latisha, while exhausted from their travels, were amazed by what they were seeing; they are in China. After long journeys in many ways, they made!  They are here, and about to start a semester of a life time.

Upon arrival on campus, we went to the main reception area in the School for International Studies (SIS) and both Latisha and Adam were checked into their housing. They both have a shared suite-style room: walk-in area with doors to the bathroom and kitchen; the walk-in area leads to the main room; off of the main room is a small balcony.  Not so exciting in February, but it will be great come spring!

We then whisked them off to their Welcome Dinner. The Welcome Dinner was held at a very traditional Chinese restaurant. In attendance: Roger and Jenny Li, Co-directors CIS in China; Dr. Wang, Dean of the School of International Studies, UIBE; Maria and Jon, also of CIS in China; Josh, an Australian who teaches English to UIBE students planning to attend university overseas; Latisha and Adam. Maria had prepared this wonderful banner they hung in the room “Welcome CIS students studying in China” written in both English and Chinese.  A very nice touch!

Dinner began with a welcome from both Dr. Wang and Roger, and a small toast to our students’ happy and successful semester.  And then … the eating began.  Formal Chinese meals are always an event; but out hosts made this one all the more special. Food is laid out on a lazy susan; everyone takes bits from the main plates as the roll by. Dishes included: fried lotus root; lettuce in a peanut sauce; extra firm tofu in sesame sauce; chopped spinach with egg; roasted duck; mutton with onions and (wicked hot) peppers; beef with vegetables; fried fish; mushroom and other ground vegetable hot pot; an amazing mushroom and chicken soup with rice noodles; traditional Beijing style noodles; and on and on. We had chrysanthemum tea and fresh kiwi juice (and by juice, I actually mean fresh kiwis blended into a frothy smoothie-like drink). Jealous yet? Seriously, perspective students reading this, this meal should be enough to entice you to come to China! Dinner was a two hour event; after which, we took very well fed, and now sleepy Latish and Adam back to their homes away from home, and off to bed.