Beijing in the eyes of Yale students

At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, a 100-member delegation of Yale University students and faculty visited the Badaling portion of the Great Wall in Beijing on May 19th.

The President of Yale University, Richard Levin, reached the highest beacon tower of the Great Wall before any of the students. Standing on the beacon tower, he could clearly see the giant Olympic slogan "One world, One Dream" hung on the opposite side of the tower. This is the ninth time Richard Levin has visited China. Regardless, he still bought some souvenirs, such as twelve pieces of Chinese zodiac handiwork. Mr. and Mrs. Levin descended the hill hand in hand. They even walked faster than the students. "This is a very good opportunity for the students and faculty of Yale University to know more about China," Levin told the reporters.

Crossing the time tunnel through the Great Wall

Just as she came to the foot of the Great Wall, Tan Ya, a student of the Biomedical Department of Yale University, bought an octagonal army cap for five Yuan. She couldn't help showing it to her classmates. "Standing on the Great Wall, I feel that I am crossing the time tunnel," said Tan. "It seems that I can see the ancient China from here."

At the Museum of Zhan Tianyou at the foot of the Great Wall, James, a student from the Medical Department, learned for the first time the story of the "father of China's railways," who studied at Yale when he was young and returned to his country to join in the construction of the railway system. "I did not expect that he can come to the United States in 100 years ago. Zhan is a great person. We are proud of him." An American student of Korean origin, Liu Zanmei, said, "I have a strong sense of intimacy towards Zhan when I came to know he studied in Yale 100 years ago. I think I can understand him although we do not live in the same era."

Never seen such a good Olympic stadium!

The students happily took pictures right in the front of "the Nest", the main stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games. An associate professor of the School of Architecture surnamed Michelle introduced the architectural style and structure of the "Nest" to Yale's President Levin.

"This is the most surprising one of all the stadiums I have ever seen. For nearly 40 years, I haven't got a chance to see such a good Olympic arena!" Michelle has heard about the fantastic lighting effects of the swimming stadium, the "Water Cube," many times. However, she had to leave Beijing for Xi'an that night. "I really hope that I can get another chance to see it again someday in the future," she said.

Sophomore of Yale University's History Department, Ned, has visited Beijing before and once studied Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University. He likes "the Nest" the best. "I wish I can come to Beijing to watch the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games". This shy young man repeatedly asked where he could buy tickets for the opening ceremony.

Beijing's sky clear and blue

"Beijing's sky is bluer than before!" 21-year-old Erika proclaimed.

Erika once studied Chinese for half a year in the Capital University of Economics and Business. She likes Sichuan cuisine, dumplings and hot pot. During her four-day visit in Beijing, Erika often volunteered to be a tour guide for her classmates. She also took her classmates to local restaurants, pubs and bars. "I always think I am half Chinese and half American. Beijing is my favorite city. I really want to show my classmates the best things in Beijing. Their praises on China often make me feel proud." Erika said that she wants to find a job related to China so that she can have more opportunities to come back to this country.

" 'Incredible' is the only word I can think of to describe the changes that have taken place in Beijing," said Ann Kuhlman, who visited Beijing 20 years ago. Kuhlman is Director of the Office of International students and Scholars of Yale University. She paid a visit to Tsinghua University in 1987. In her eyes, the differences in this city are not only high-rise skyscrapers and an increasing amount of automobiles and highways, but also people's clothing and their complexions. What surprised her most is the English level of university students in Beijing. At the seminar hosted by the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, all the students from Tsinghua University answered the questions of Yale University students on the DESE teaching methods in fluent English.

"Yale 100" blog updated every day

Jessica and Michael are both third-year students at Yale University. They are also editorial photographers of the "Yale Daily News", the University's magazine. As early as two weeks ago, Jessica and Michael jointly started a blog entitled "YALE100" to publish their journals and feelings when in China.

In their blog, Michael published the pictures he took in various places, such as the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. Jessica is responsible for giving details about what she has seen. She told reporters that she will write a more detailed report on her visit to China once she goes back to America, so that students who have not been to China can understand what is happening on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

Of the 100 American students, eighty-five have never been to China before. After they got a real feel for Beijing, they all felt a sense of "similarity" - modern buildings, enthusiastic residents, friendly students, KFCs and McDonalds¡­Graduate student Disa said, "People should come to China in person so as to understand the real China on their own"

By People's Daily Online