Greetings from Shanghai!
We’ve been having an amazing time here so far! Although we’ve only been here a few days, our program has fit in a ton of fun activities and lectures. Students in China and the World Economy visited the LEGO Shanghai offices to learn about the Chinese toy market and went to the Shanghai Museum to see ancient Chinese treasures and learn more about Chinese history while our Intermediate Chinese seminar spent time bargaining with local vendors, buying some live animals at the nearby wet market, and interviewing people in Shanghai’s beautiful Zhongshan Park.
In the afternoon, we’ve done trips to the Propaganda Museum and a kungfu class (taught by a professional fighter who could run up walls) and several students went to the aquarium, an interesting place to observe both sea creatures and Chinese tourists.
In the evenings, we regroup for dinner and a group evening activity. Two nights ago, we took a boat cruise to see the pretty Shanghai skyline. Last night featured a calligraphy workshop (some students were total naturals!), and tonight, we took a relaxing walk down the Bund. We are lucky to have such a wonderful group of kids. It seems like they’ve known each other for forever.
Tomorrow, the group heads to Nanxun, an ancient water town, for a brief escape from the crowds in Shanghai. Stay tuned!
-Joanna and Ben
