CHINA
Country Overview:
"A land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet rapid modernization, and delectable cuisine coexists with complex political realities."
My seven-year journey in China, from May 2013 to August 2020, was a whirlwind of experiences. I taught English, pursued my Master's in Politics & Foreign Policy at the prestigious Tsinghua University, and immersed myself in the media landscape at China Today and Xinhua News Agency. Beijing was my home base, but my travels painted a vibrant tapestry of China's diverse landscapes and cultures: the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the historic city of Xi'an, the tropical paradise of Sanya, the unique blend of East and West in Macau and Hong Kong, and countless other destinations in between. From savoring the exquisite flavors of regional cuisines to navigating the intricacies of daily life under a distinct political system, China left an indelible mark on me.
China's Development
Here is an article I wrote about China’s “developing country” status and what it will take for China to become a developed country in the future
Great Achievements Exhibition of "The Five Years of Development of China”
Tomorrow is the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and because Beijing is the capital, life here is pretty crazy. All AirBnBs were suspended this month, bars or clubs with live concerts were shutdown until the end of the month, packages bought online will take longer due to increased security, the loophole that allows VPNs to work has been plugged, some gas stations have stopped selling gas for a few days to cut down on traffic, messages containing certain keywords + memes of the president cannot be sent on social media, and subway stations have lines running all the way into the street due to increased security. Ah the joys of living in the capital.
The pictures above were from an event I attended for China Today, the magazine I write for. It showcases all of China's advancements and development, with the tour divided into sections such as education, military, healthcare, diplomacy, and technology. I was with the English speaking diplomat group, and oddly enough, also the only one not in a suit. It was really interesting to see all that China has achieved, but at the same time, it was very 'over the top' and a bit cheesy. There were at least 100 photos of Xi Jinping, China's president, all over the exhibition. Overall, very interesting, but China, you don't need to throw your achievements in everyone's face and put it on display in such a tacky way.
PM of New Zealand
Attended a speech by John Key, 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand. Met him afterwards, shook his hand and after telling him I was from the States, he said he was just there at the Nuclear Summit with Xi and Obama. Just another day in the life of a politician. Super nice guy and interesting speech.
Tsinghua University
I'm currently studying my Masters of Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy at Tsinghua University, located in Northwest Beijing. The campus is huge, known as China's MIT, and has an interesting mix of architecture. Above is a campus map and thankfully, also has a high rank of employability. I'm sure it's only because Xi, a Tsinghua grad, is currently the president of China. Regardless, Tsinghua stacks up well with other universities here in China as well as on an international level. I'm proud to have been accepted to this school and although the next 2 years will be challenging, I'm excited for what the future holds.