In the midst of the school routine and life around 北外（Beiwai, short for Beijing Foreign Studies University),  this week we visited Tiananmen and the surrounding area(namely, the Forbidden City) as well as the Beijing Urban Planning Museum. Going to both of those places, it was very apparent just how much the city is a conglomeration of heavily industrial infastructure as well as old architecture that have endured thousands of years of wear and tear.

Good news everyone! It’s time for another blogpost! On today’s post I’ll be talking about various aspects of Germany that I either like or dislike (I would say love or hate, but I think that’s too emotional for the contents of this post). Enjoy!

Like:

Ciao from Rome!  I cannot believe that it is now Thursday and we have almost been here a full week-it has already gone by too fast.  We got here last Friday and had orientation at the IES Rome Center after flying in from Paris, waiting over an hour for our bags, and having just enough time to quickly get our stuff unpacked at our new apartment.  While it was hard leaving Paris, I think it is safe to say that we are all happy here in Rome.

I’m sitting on my first international flight right now, waiting for the plane to take off. I feel different from the people around me, but not because I speak a different language – I feel out of place because I’m the only one not on my cell phone. The flight hasn’t even taken off, but already the vast majority of people are deciding what movies to watch and updating their Snapchat stories. I don’t have room to talk: I probably would be doing something on my phone, too, but I’m not taking my cell phone to France this summer.

The final day of IES Madrid was undoubtedly a sad one, students were heavy hearted and everyone was putting off their goodbyes until the last possible moment. From countless previous experiences, the IES Madrid was prepared for the emotional day and planned a final day that was packed with bonding experiences and one that I will truly never forget.

For my final travel adventure abroad, my friends and I wanted to visit a warm place that was entirely unknown to all of us. Luckily for us, one of our friends was told that Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands was the place to go for beautiful beaches and water sports. We immediately we sold and booked the trip.

            Today is the 14^th of June, and the end of our 4^th week abroad!  It’s been a long week, and we’ve accomplished an awful lot.