Last thursday classes started.
The classes are really interesting, but really intense.
My program uses a ‘block system’, which means I take two classes at a time, one of which is always Chinese language. Right now, I am taking a history course, ‘Understanding China’. This course gives a general overview of Chinese history, geography and culture. I have two and a half hours in the morning of Chinese history, and two hours of Chinese language in the afternoon. Language classes are really small which makes them really intense. This also however allows one to ask many more questions and gives one more opportunity to actively practice one’s language skills. After my language classes, I have a one on one tuition session with my teacher. These sessions allow me to work on either my weak points or things that interest me. This is great to help me improve or just learn more about the things that are important to me.

The workload is descent, but I think the key to success is well-timed study breaks.
What better to enjoy a study break than a tasty donkey burger? Or maybe some starfish, or a scorpion, or some centipede?
Right down the road from campus there is a specialty restaurant that sells everything donkey. Not being that adventurous yet, I decided to try the donkey burger, instead of the donkey heart. Despite one’s initial reluctance, it was really good! The meat was very lean and very tasty. 

Location: Beijing, China