Imperial University of Peking

PKU is the first national comprehensive university in China.  It was the center of the new cultural movement that spread Marxism and promoted science and democracy.  Today, it continues to grow, having recently joined with the Beijing medicine university, housed the
ping-pong/table tennis competition of the Beijing Olympics.  It is in the northwestern suburb known as Haidan district - place of higher education - there are 12 in all!.  

PKU is a top national university, a campus on a beautiful park with a lake of no-name - and, my home.

Nee how mah, Beijing!

Today, nearly one in five people in the world are Chinese.  And in three weeks, I will be living in Beijing for an entire month!  I am honored and excited to be able to experience this wonderful opportunity.  As I mentally prepare myself,  I don't want to be seen as merely a tourist, but as new- found family member visiting from IU.

How do I plan to truly experience the land of dragons and emperors? From a more romantic lens I hope to get up at 4 am for early morning exercises in the park - slowly moving to tai chi exercises.

I will also welcome ALL opportunities to broaden my palate to different tastes including yummy beverages and teas, as well as delicious and interesting foods like the famous amber-hued thousand year egg.

One of my most anticipated experiences is to hike the "dragons spine" rice terraces of Guilin. Although I have been walking the Clear Creek Trail every other day since spring break, should I be concerned of a tour that describes morning hikes to welcome the dawning sun as 8 mile treks?!