Hey guys, just looking for a second opinion on my essay here. Any help is appreciated!
Just this last summer I was in the largest nation in the world. The People's Republic of China, with over 1.3 billion people, seems really intimidating from afar. But after almost an entire day of flying and layovers, arriving in Beijing was a godsend. I really expected more of a culture shock; what I got was something close. Some differences were immediately present, like squatting toilets; others were scattered throughout the voyage. However, it was comparable to New York in its modern architecture, bustling streets, and crazy traffic. The Starbucks and KFC's made me feel right at home, while the street stands filled with exotic foods made me feel like I was on Mars. If you ever get the chance to try fried scorpions, they are delicious - just like juicy, savory chicken.
But really, Beijing is an amazing city. There was so much to see and do. For such a modern city, it really kept a lot of its roots intact. Walls and gatehouses from the original city still stand monument to its age, just as the Summer Palace demonstrates its previous wealth and the Forbidden City its ancient power. I also got to visit and have dinner with a family that lives in one of the remaining old neighborhoods not yet torn down by the government. Now that was a bit of a shock, but I really gained a respect for the family and the people who choose to live in those old houses.
After an exhilarating time in Beijing and a trip to the Great Wall (which was the most exhausting hike in history), I flew to the port city of Shanghai. This was definitely an adventure. I got to see the city from the highest observation deck in the world up above the Shanghai World Financial Center. It was ginormous. The most enjoyable part was the vast markets bustling with people though. There were so many goods, lining the market place. You could get anything you ever wanted. The people were all amazingly nice, and even if it was just because we were Americans it gave a welcoming feeling. I met some students at a high school in Shanghai, and we really hit it off. They were just like the kids from my own school, and they even listened to the same music. I felt sympathetic for them though, because they spent their entire pre-college career studying for a test that determined their futures. Then I realized it was a lot like the SAT and ACT.
Saying goodbye to those kids and to China was hard, but I learned a lot from the trip, the things I saw, and the people I met. I have a much greater understanding and respect for other cultures and the way they get things done. Also, I'm now sure that if the U.S. does not get its act together, these people are going to surpass us without a second thought.
Just this last summer I was in the largest nation in the world. The People's Republic of China, with over 1.3 billion people, seems really intimidating from afar. But after almost an entire day of flying and layovers, arriving in Beijing was a godsend. I really expected more of a culture shock; what I got was something close. Some differences were immediately present, like squatting toilets; others were scattered throughout the voyage. However, it was comparable to New York in its modern architecture, bustling streets, and crazy traffic. The Starbucks and KFC's made me feel right at home, while the street stands filled with exotic foods made me feel like I was on Mars. If you ever get the chance to try fried scorpions, they are delicious - just like juicy, savory chicken.
But really, Beijing is an amazing city. There was so much to see and do. For such a modern city, it really kept a lot of its roots intact. Walls and gatehouses from the original city still stand monument to its age, just as the Summer Palace demonstrates its previous wealth and the Forbidden City its ancient power. I also got to visit and have dinner with a family that lives in one of the remaining old neighborhoods not yet torn down by the government. Now that was a bit of a shock, but I really gained a respect for the family and the people who choose to live in those old houses.
After an exhilarating time in Beijing and a trip to the Great Wall (which was the most exhausting hike in history), I flew to the port city of Shanghai. This was definitely an adventure. I got to see the city from the highest observation deck in the world up above the Shanghai World Financial Center. It was ginormous. The most enjoyable part was the vast markets bustling with people though. There were so many goods, lining the market place. You could get anything you ever wanted. The people were all amazingly nice, and even if it was just because we were Americans it gave a welcoming feeling. I met some students at a high school in Shanghai, and we really hit it off. They were just like the kids from my own school, and they even listened to the same music. I felt sympathetic for them though, because they spent their entire pre-college career studying for a test that determined their futures. Then I realized it was a lot like the SAT and ACT.
Saying goodbye to those kids and to China was hard, but I learned a lot from the trip, the things I saw, and the people I met. I have a much greater understanding and respect for other cultures and the way they get things done. Also, I'm now sure that if the U.S. does not get its act together, these people are going to surpass us without a second thought.