Yet, I tried to focus on the positives, and I continue to strive to find the positive in everything to this day.
When I arrived at the Zhuhai Port after being lost upon arrival, my roommate greeted me with a giant hug. I was so excited to meet her! The first week only got more exciting as I navigated through a Chinese supermarket, moved into my new dormitory and met fellow international students. While I was frustrated over struggling to register for the courses I needed, I did eventually succeed. I quickly learned that I like Chinese cuisine, but also missed cooking. Thus, I learned how to use the kitchen appliances in the kitchen on the floor of my dormitory and started buying groceries. In regards to shopping, I learned how to checkout at the supermarket with cash. After setting up a Chinese bank account and purchasing a Chinese SIM card for my cell phone, I learned how to use WeChat Pay to purchase my groceries, which was a big victory. I hope that something similar to WeChat Pay can be implemented in America, as it is convenient to simply use your cell phone to pay for anything wherever you go.
Along with WeChat Pay, I mastered using WeChat in general, which is the cellular application that connects Chinese people. While we use text messaging, they use WeChat. WeChat has allowed me to make many friends inside and outside of the classroom. In my classes, it is intriguing to hear the ideas of Chinese students and to collaborate with them for group projects. Outside of the classroom, I am involved in the Guqin Club, which teaches students how to play the guqin, an ancient Chinese instrument. Although it has been hard to learn how to play the guqin, it has been a neat experience to be immersed in a club that is taught in Chinese.
