Liz Braccia
May 9, 2011
Monday, May 9th was our first full day in Chongqing and the beginning of our Study & Culture tour at CTBU (Chongqing Technology and Business University). When we first arrived at CTBU on Sunday night, we were received with such humility and kindness by our Chinese partners. With such a great first impression, I was very excited to see what the coming days would bring. It only took until the morning of our first day for my expectations to be far exceeded. On Monday morning, CTBU faculty and student volunteers welcomed us with a beautifully put together Opening Ceremony. During the entire ceremony their enthusiasm was high and their excitement sincere. We received a welcoming souvenir, confetti was used to celebrate, and pictures were taken. Speeches were made by both Professors and students. Particularly, a student speech made by a student from Thailand had a great effect on me. He talked about how we were going to be experiencing things that may be very culturally different and uncomfortable from what we are used to. He expressed the importance for us to embrace those differences and use them as opportunities to meet new people and learn about a new culture. I strongly agree with him. I also thought it was very interesting and powerful that these are ideas and perspectives that we can share with people across the world. We are sharing our experiences here with people from Botswana, America, Thailand, Canada, and France.
Monday afternoon we went on a bus tour of the campus. The campus is very large and we learned a lot about CTBU and the programs and facilities it has to offer its students. One thing, in particular, that I love about the campus is the Tea House. The landscape is so beautifully and peacefully designed. It is a great place to study and relax while enjoying the amazing scenery. There is also a well which provides the Tea House with fresh water for their tea every day. Very special and unique Chinese art is displayed at the Tea House. Later this week, we will be going back to the Tea House to have a lesson on Chinese tea culture.
The Chinese partners and volunteers we were assigned for our entire time here are one of the most important things about this trip. They have a sincere desire to help you in any way they can. The words “caring” and “kind” are not even enough to describe them. Even though my partner, Crystal, has class and a busy schedule, she is always making sure that my day is going well and that I have everything I need. She texted me to make sure I had someone to eat lunch with. It was very hot on Monday and she came to my room to bring me medicine just in case I started to feel dizzy or have a headache from the heat. Later, when it started to rain (she was in class) she texted me to see if I needed an umbrella. After all of that, she still apologized for having to be in class all day. I feel very warmly welcomed and comfortable here. I have developed a new love for the Chinese people and culture.
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