2010-11 Student Photo Essays

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I moved to Beijing for two years to learn Chinese in 2005, right after I graduated high school, and have been doing everything in my power to get back here since.

Because everyone is so far away from home, it is very easy to make amazing lifelong friends in this big city. Beijing is such an international city that besides Chinese, you will hear about 10 different languages being spoken daily. This picture was taken with people that I have met from Australia, Sweden, England, Scotland, New York, California and France.

Chinese children are the cutest, and they can easily light up your day. This little girl on the subway kept laughing and smiling at me the whole time, saying, "hello, hello." You cannot help but smile and laugh right back at them.

Sometimes there are no words for the things you see in China. They are just priceless.

You can get anywhere in this huge city on the subway, and it is ridiculously cheap. Try to avoid going on the subway during rush hour from about 5-7pm. If you have to go on the subway during this time, prepare to push and shove your way onto a subway car.

China is changing rapidly every day and the newfound freedom in society reflects this change. You can find many amazing art exhibits portraying this very idea in the art district called 798.

Even though everything is completely different here, you can still find American brands. Whether you like them or not, sometimes it is a little comforting to have a Coke or drink a Starbucks coffee or eat McDonald's French fries when you are a little homesick.

Of course you have to make a trip to the Great Wall and take a photo in front of it doing the classic peace sign pose. Although the day that I went it was so polluted you could not see much of the wall. It was still very fun though.

After climbing the wall you really should feel like a World Hero!

Rush hour in front of one of the tallest buildings in Beijing. There is a very expensive restaurant on the top floor and a very beautiful bar. Even if you do not buy anything, it is worth it to take the elevator up to the 66th floor and check out the view.

You have to visit Tiananmen Square. I recommend going once at night as well as during the day. You can feel the intense energy in the air when there is no one around except for the guards.

Group dinners are very popular among the foreign students.