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  Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Saturday, June 7, 2008

I'd better recount the past few days. This past Thursday we had our first oral exam, which is in the form of a 5-8 minute presentation to our class. (By the way, there are about 15 of us in the 200 level, and we are split into two different classes. We have the same class for a week, and then switch classmates every week.) The presentation had to be about our impressions of Shanghai and the kinds of activities we've had to become accustomed to. I think I did alright, I drew a picture on the board which got me some bonus points. Also on Thursday we had a guest lecturer from USC who talked about Chinese economics during the past 30 years... it was kind of over my head but still very interesting. For homework on Thursday night we had to write the essays for our Friday test since we wouldn't have time in class- that was a bit tough. Then Friday morning we had our 2 hour long written exam, which really wasn't too hard. After that we had our first language practicum- we went to visit the dorms of Chinese students at ECNU which we appalling

full outfit

. I can't believe how bad the conditions were. The room was smaller than the size of a uva dorm room yet was a 4 person bedroom. each person has a loft bed on top of their desk area and a dresser area. The bed didn't even have a mattress... it was an inch-thick pad, and each bed area was covered by a mosquito net. There is no air conditioning, only a small fan. They don't have hot water, so they have to wash their clothes in the bathroom sink and shower in a public shower down the road. All their laundry is hanging around the room and out the window so it can dry. The floor is really dirty... I put my bag down and it was covered in dust/dirt. We had to interview the students who live there, adn they said that this was the best student dorm available. It really made me thankful for the amazing dorm we live in... it's like a hotel.

Anyway, after that the entire 200 level and a few teachers went out to lunch at a nearby restaurant which was really good. We had a chicken dish, rice, dumplings, and candied yams which were covered in melted sugar and was so hot that you had to dip it in water before eating it. Then last night some people went out to teh same club I went to last week, but I didn't have the best time so I stayed back with a group of friends. We hung out around the dorm and later went to a pub kind of place just to check it out. That was a good time- I'm glad I didn't go to the club. Today I got to sleep in (relatively) late, til about 1030. Later today I think we are going to teh Shanghai museum and then to a popular shopping area where some of my classmates got some traditional chinese outfits yesterday. Here are a few pics of them in costume... Anyway, I will most likely post tomorrow after today's fun.

Wanan,
Luolan

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classroom building	street from mao to dorm	boys in traditional gear	kung fu poses

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