A little on my preparations for China in case anyone thinks this is a trip just for the sake of having fun.

First off, before the trip, People to People have scheduled four meetings that all of the Student Ambassadors have to attend. At each of the meetings we go over three main points:

• The Chinese and their culture
• What we have to do before the trip
• And what will we do on the trip

As far as stuff to do before the trip, I've been hard at work on that. Chances are, if you're looking at this page, you've received a request from me to be a sponsor of mine. After all, the trip is quite expensive.

However, we've also been taking online quizzes about China, and I've learned quite a bit. China's school system is very similar to ours, as the students go five times a week and the different grade levels are split up differently. In contrast though, China's education focuses specifically on the core subjects. This leads to very specialized students unlike America, where we stress well balanced individuals.

In addition to the quizzes, we also must earn a few service hours, which is actually a smart way to weed out lazy students. This year, the plan is to buy travel sized toiletries for the homeless so the next meeting we can go and delivery it to them at several different community homes that take these people in.

The last thing we'll be doing before we leave for China is going to be a photo album. This may seem a bit useless at first, but due to the fact that me and the twenty something other students that will be going will be pretty much living like a family together for nineteen days, it'll help to have us know each other pretty well before we go to avoid any stress. I'll probably post my photo album when I'm done with it in case anyone wants to see.


As for time at China, there's been a set of rules laid down for how to act over in China. Bows and handshakes are always necessary. As for if you are given a gift or food, you should take that gift regardless and thank the giver. What may be refusing politely over here is the equivalent of sharply dishonoring someone over there. Another odd thing, you are always to leave a bit of food on your plate since if you eat it all, the Chinese will think that they did not give you enough.

The dress code will be proper of course. No one will wear any torn or old clothing. Behavior is to be up held at all times since we are acting as young ambassadors for the United States, so we are representing "The American." We are also to keep a log at all times about the trip.

So, that's a bit more information on the trip. I've probably barely scratched the surface, but if you're curious about anything, just email me the question here:

dmgalvez2@gmail.com

I'll reply back and probably include the answer in the blog in case anyone else has that question.

First Post

This is the start of a blog I will be making to record my trip at China.

I will be visiting China with an organization called People to People. During my seventeen days there I will visit the major cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, and Hong Kong as well as several other culturally important places such as the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Warriors and the Forbidden Palace.

During my time at China, my group will be interacting with and learning about the Chinese people and their lives. This includes a stay with a Chinese family, a visit to a school, several different restaurants, a calligraphy class and a Chinese cooking school.

I am currently searching for sponsors and raising funds for my trip.