Going West by Mark Powers

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Passing the one year mark in China

More flowers from Beijing's Botanical Garden
One year has officially passed since I have been on this side of the world, spending most of that time in Beijing, China. The event that really marked this anniversary is a new group of students from Arizona State University arrived a few days ago for the summer program here at Renmin University. If you remember, that was the program I came here on originally. It seems so much has happened over the past twelve months, yet time still just flew by. I suppose that is good because that means I did a lot and did not waste much time.

I have made a few decisions recently. One, I decided not to continue studying Chinese at Renmin University after this semester is over. I will study Chinese on my own from now on, unless I go back to ASU and finish my undergraduate degree in Chinese. I only need a couple more Chinese classes. In short, I feel a little burned-out on taking Chinese classes now. I took the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), a Chinese Proficiency Exam, and scored a Level 5. The minimum to be allowed to take regular classes at a Chinese university is Level 6. I scored Level 6s in both reading and grammar, but only a Level 4 in listening, so an overall score of Level 5. I will take it again in June.

I have not heard anything yet regarding my application for a Chinese government scholarship. The schools I selected to go to if I am awarded the scholarship are not in Beijing. The first two schools I picked are in Shanghai because that is the business center of China and the logical step in an evolution of living and working in China. The third school is in Sichuan province in the south, better weather, climate, interesting culture and has some ties to Arizona as well. I figure if I do not get the scholarship, which seems more likely because it was submitted late and such, that I will stay in Beijing and work over the summer. I can stay in the dormitory at school, yet work unlimited hours after school ends, thus it will be a good chance for me to make some extra money.


I have read through half of Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I am really impressed by Rand’s ability to express her philosophy as a great story. I certainly recommend it.

Finally, I plan to add more features to this web site and complete the Chinese Goods for Sale website that has been in limbo for nearly a year. If anyone has any suggestions for items or products for sale they think would be ideal to put on the website, send me an e-mail!

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