Arrived In Atlanta Safely

After a 14-hour flight from Shanghai to Chicago, a 3-hour lay over in Chicago and a 2-hour flight to Atlanta, we all made it home safely. Other than being travel warn and a few of us having acquired colds, we were all still very excited about our trip but very happy to be home.

While taking the train from one terminal to another in Chicago, I found it interesting the observations that were being made now that we were back in the U.S. One of my traveling companions remarked how happy they were to see letters again, that it was nice to be able to read and understand the writing posted everywhere around them. Another remarked how nice it was to see American food that wasn't from McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut or Star Bucks.

I was noticing how beautiful, crisp and clear everything was out side. It took me a little while to figure out that it was because there wasn't any smog. It made me realize how bad the pollution was in China. Now that I’m back in Atlanta, I see that our pollution and smog is not as bad as it is in China. However, I don’t know if that is anything to be happy about.

Leaving For Atlanta

Due to internet issues and technical difficulties, I've only been able to post information about days 1 - 10. Today is actually day 14 however and we are leaving for Atlanta in about an hour. So, I will let you know when we arrive in Atlanta and catch you up on days 11 - 14 over the next few days.

Sorry for the delay!

Day 10 - More About Zhongshan Mausoleum

Diane Vagnini, Instructor of English, is pictured above taking a photo along with other pictures.

Dianne wrote, "Today we explored Zhongshan Mountain National Park. Also known as Purple Mountain, the compound includes many attractions, including Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum and the Ming Tomb Ruins. The walkway leading to the Ming Tomb is called the Sacred Avenue. This avenue winds through a garden and is lined with stone warriors and animals that guard the path to the tomb. We actually started at the tomb, so we worked our way backwards. The warriors (huge, standing and holding big swords, boring in comparison) and animals are carved from a grayish color stone. They line the Sacred Avenue in groups of 4: one pair resting, the other standing guard. It is a spectacular view, gazing down at what appears to be an endless, enormous line of unicorns, horses, 2-hump camels, and lions.

Along the Sacred Avenue, we encountered a Chinese man and his 5 year-old (I’m guessing her age) daughter. She was the cutest thing wearing a floral dress, stockings, and sandals with a pink bow in her hair. When she first noticed us, she was very shy. She would examine us and then run behind her father. As we continued down the walkway, her confidence grew and she began to pose on and around the animals for us. During our visit to China, most of us have experienced what I can only describe as a “rock star” moment: Chinese who appear to be fascinated and excitedly pose for pictures with us. It was curious to watch the little girl’s attitude toward us go from timid curiosity to hamming it up for our cameras."

More About GPC Study Abroad

The good thing about meeting with our GPC study abroad students was that our GPC faculty got to discuss many things with them. It gave them a good idea of the students' experiences and situations while studying abroad.

Pictured above are a few faculty talking with Brian Reynolds, a GPC study abroad student in the lobby of the Grand Metro Hotel at Nanjing Normal University. Below is a short video interview with Fred Bounds, Associate Professor of Business/Computer Science discuss the study abroad experience.

Day 10 - Nanjing

Day 10 was another busy day. After arriving to Nanjing, on the overnight train from Xi’an that took about 14.5 hours, we checked into our hotel. We stayed at the Grand Metro Hotel on the campus of NanShiDa (Nanjing Normal University). Once we settled in and got breakfast we took off to Ming's Tomb and the Zhongshan Mausoleum for the rest of the day.

That evening we were able to meet up with some of our GPC study abroad students in the lobby of the hotel. We discussed their experiences in China, their majors and their futures. They were accompanied by Ming Her, a GPC study abroad faculty member. Afterwards a few of us went to a cafe to talk further with Ming and one of the students.

Pictured above are three GPC study abroad students. From left to right you have; Brian Reynolds, Elijah Luttrell and Danyis Toranzo. Brian is currently studying at Nanjing University, while Elijah and Danyis a currently studying at Nanjing Normal University.

Brian just graduated from GPC with degrees in Foreign Languages and Business Administration. He will be headed to Arizona in the fall to complete his bachelor degree. Elijah has been at GPC for a year and is planning on changing his major to Foreign Languages when he gets back. After getting his associate degreee, at GPC, he plans, to go to GSU, to finish his bachelor degree in Chinese. Danyis has also been at GPC for a year and is majoring in Business Administration. Once she has her associate degree, she also plans on finishing her bachelor at GSU.

Below is a short video interview with Danyis Toranzo.