Though I am by no means an expert on Hangzhou, China--in just a few, short, immersive days, I I've learned a few things:
- Most Chinese people do NOT speak English, or rather, are unwilling to speak it....I'm not quite sure which...maybe a bit of both. I don't know why I was surprised by this, but I was. It has been a humbling and remarkably frustrating experience to try and live in a world where yours is not the primary language that those around you converse in. (I now have a much better sense of what my international students go through!)
- Culture shock is a very real thing. And sometimes it's painful!
- Hailing a taxi in a city filled with taxis, is not for the faint of heart. Drivers will refuse you...a LOT!
- Often, what the menu SAYS in English is not what you ultimately get. This requires flexibility and an adventurous palette.
- Academics are taken very seriously and there is little time for students to just be kids.
- One can in fact go through social media withdrawal, which is also a bit painful, but probably good for the soul.
- It's much easier to eat with wooden chopsticks than with metal ones.
- You can basically fry and eat almost anything. Incidentally, this is also something that I learned while living in South Carolina, but it is equally true for China.
- Starbucks is taking over the world.
- This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!
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