Happy Chinese New Year!  It is officially the year of the rooster!  On Chinese New Year’s Eve, I watched the New Year’s Eve TV show that is broadcasted all over China.

I got into the taxi, curbside at Barajas International, and cheerfully greeted the driver. “¡Buenos días! Calle Hilarión Eslava, por favor.” Despite the time change and having barely slept, I was alert and talkative during the ride, watching the rows of red brick apartments fly past the cab window. My driver was telling me about my new neighborhood, saying it was lively, full of young people and restaurants. I wondered about the name of the street I’d be staying on.

This past Saturday I went on a hike in Cagnes-sur-mer and it was simply incredible: beautiful views that constantly looked over the glistening Mediterranean (see pictures below for an idea), weather conditions that were stellar for hiking, and simply the fact that I’m in the French Riviera getting to spend time doing something I love! Goodness, can you tell that I’m still not over the fact that I’m actually here? Not only was it incredible for the reasons listed above, but also because of the people I met.

Details of the Cathedral of Tarragona 

I write this post on a warm, calm Sunday morning.  It’s the tail end of my second week of classes, and I am finally beginning to feel settled in.  It is difficult to comprehend how less than one month ago, I was watching an NFL game on television or how less than two months ago I was hunched over a notebook studying for my game theory final exam. 

The view from my front yard

My new home here in Quito, Ecuador

This week, my Chinese identity seems to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Personally, I identify as a Chinese American. I am too “Americanized” to truly be Chinese and I am too “Chinese” to truly be an American. Labeling myself as a Chinese American felt like the best fit for me. I consider myself to be a typical Chinese girl, sometimes unknowingly continuing the stereotype that people associate with Asians. I am quiet, enjoy studying, and most importantly, am tan and wear glasses.

Last weekend I took my first trip outside of London and flew to Copenhagen, Denmark. After a fun (and truly exhausting) three days there, I thought it would be nice to reflect on my personal must do’s for the city. Fair warning, the following list comes in no particular order.

Thanks to the wonderful IES Abroad staff and their incredible orientation, we have not only survived our first two weeks living in Vienna, but have thrived! During orientation, we were given crucial information about acclimating to daily life in a foreign city, while creating inseparable bonds with our fellow students. Orientation was the perfect balance of instruction and fun; on one of the last days, Helmut, an Austrian IES Abroad staff member, taught us all how to waltz in preparation for the Viennese ball season.