China Study Tour: Welcome — University of Illinois Extension Blog

July 25, 2008

Welcome

Welcome Laura (Jing), Ya and Keren from Sanda University in Shanghai, China! The three arrived on July 16 and were welcomed by Jane and Greg at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. After one night in Chicago, Richard picked them up and brought them to Champaign where they had a hopefully interesting week packed with campus visits, meetings and programs, a night at 4-H Memorial Camp and a visit to the local farmers market. All of us who have the good fortune of living close to Champaign and therefore getting to spend time with them right now where thrilled to see them again!

But I don't want to write too much here, you might be more interested in getting a first short report by one of our visitors. They actually promised to write some more over the coming weeks and also to allow me to publish some photos illustrating their adventures here in Illinois. So here is what Ya wrote for us:

We had the interview for visa application on 10 July and we hadn't bought the ticket until 13 July. All of a sudden, we were on the plane to the U. S.! Everything seemed unreal; maybe it is because the expectation for the journey lasted so long and our departure was done in such a rush.

My anxiety or apprehension was gone once we met Greg, Jane and Donna at the airport. They even brought balloons to welcome us! Stepping out of the airport, with the balloon up and down at my hands, I felt my heart leaping with happiness and excitements. Jing, Keren and me at the O'Hare International Airport.

We spent the first night at Donna's house where I found four lively dogs and an admirable couple. The welcome sign above my head shows the hostess' hospitability that is everywhere in her house.

Martina very nicely gave us a campus tour with two students from the university on Fri. 18 Jul., the second day we have been in Champaign. I was very impressed by the scale and the facility of the university. I would be very proud and contented if I were a student in IL. It was a very hot day; I got all wet after the tour. Thank you again, Martina, Averet, and the girl guide (sorry, I didn't remember her name.)

Saturday morning, Madonna volunteered to drive us to Fresh Market. It was rainy and a little bit humid that day. But people there didn't mind at all. They got together, chatting, laughing, singing, dancing, relaxing, and enjoying. It was a totally new experience to me. People did business in a very different way there. They just enjoyed the process, not caring the selling very much. We got beautiful flowers, some fresh food, and a picture with a happy bread guy that day.

Posted by Martina Mohrbacher at 3:55 PM |