Travel Blog #1: Welcome to Beijing

Hello there! I know I’ve been extremely MIA on blogging, as I’ve found another passion in talking on camera. If you haven’t seen my show on YouTube, Kyla’s Korner, check it out! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIs__Hw-WHPyS_6g6rUOpyg

Anyway, I have some exciting news: I’m currently in Beijing, China! I’m here to study abroad with my University, for the entire month of July. The program is at the Beijing Institute of Technology and its main focus is on cultural immersion and international diplomacy. I’ll be learning how to speak and write in Mandarin Chinese how to cook a few dishes and of course I’ll be exploring the city!

It is my goal to post daily about what’s going on here and my experiences for the day.

Day 1: yesterday I arrived here in Beijing. It was a 13 hour flight from Detroit, so I’m still a little tired. Additionally, there’s a 12 hour time difference, so it’s curently 9AM here, while it’s 9PM at home – what an adjustment!

When I landed, I had to go through four different types of foreign customs that ranged from scanning my bags to scanning my face, fingerprints and passport verifying I am who I say I am!

After that, I had to get a taxi to the campus. I met up with my roommate, Veronica, who also attends Hampton. She introduced me to some friends she made – they’re from England! They were great, we’re all essentially going to be classmates for the next four weeks so we might as well get to know each other! We went to dinner, where I had noodles that were similar to Ramen…I liked it but it was a little too spicy for my liking.

After walking around the campus in the scorching nighttime heat, Veronica and I went back to our room, showered, and went to bed.

What a day!

Stay tuned for the next blog, and comment some other things you want to hear about over the next month!

P.S. I’d like to send a special shoutout to my mom who inspired me to blog/document this experience. I love you and I miss you already!

再见 (Bye),

Kyla