Monday, April 6, 2015
Week 8 Posts Due April 10
Well everybody, we're moving quite quickly towards the end of the semester. Our journey is just around the corner. As you look ahead to the trip, consider how you plan to make the most of the coming opportunity. All too often when travelers return from time spent overseas, they come back with regrets about time spent watching TV, surfing the Internet, or even sleeping in rather than taking off to explore and interact with the country and people they are visiting. What can you do to make sure you return from your trip without these kind of regrets?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
A few things that I can do to avoid having any regrets or wasting time on the China trip is to not take my laptop. I also plan to go to bed early and not get in the habit of staying up late and socializing with friends (which is what I tend to do when I travel with friends). By doing this, I will be well rested for the next day and will be able to enjoy the trip more. Besides, getting used to the time change will be hard enough as it is! The thing that I am most worried about is the diet. I'm scared I will accidentally drink water that I shouldn't, and get sick (this happened in Costa Rica). Also the inconsistency of food with the combination of travel. I hope not to sound ignorant, but I'm also worried about eating too much of the same thing (options might be limited because I'm a vegetarian), and/or becoming sick by accidentally eating meat. Besides those few worries, I am very excited, and grateful to be going on this trip. Plus getting credit?! What could be better? I've been outside of the country before, but never this far. I know it'll be a great experience and we will all learn lots about China's culture, government, food, and people!
ReplyDeleteKayla, I appreciated that you brought up sleep and your plan to go to bed early. It is so easy to stay up and socialize when on trips like this, but also so important to be rested so that we can be engaged in the next day's activities.
DeleteVery good strategies and thoughts. I was thinking about not taking my laptop also, but Jeremy Grabnier (China trip alumni) told me to bring it because it would be easier to complete the journals. Im not trying to change your mind, just passing information.
DeleteI was also planning on not taking my laptop, but I may rethink this. I didn't realize the journal was going to be such a big deal! Im also a little worried about the food. Im not vegetarian, but I was a little worried about the meat in China. I may end up sticking to a vegetarian diet as well.
DeleteOne of the regrets that I often return home with after a trip is that I didn't take enough pictures. Thinking about this so far in advance will hopefully help remind me to make sure to take lots of photos while in China. In addition, usually I plan to journal and I do journal faithfully for two days and then I lose my momentum and don't journal the rest of the time. I think that this regret will be taken care of because we will be required to journal throughout the trip. Its true that another pitfall can be to spend to much time on the internet and to miss aspects of the culture as a result. In a sense, then, it's nice that the internet is monitored and regulated in China because that will take away the distraction for Facebook and instagram while we are there. I am really looking forward to this trip, and really hope to get the most out it! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn, I feel the exact same way when it comes to taking pictures. Sometimes I get so caught up in seeing a place that I forget to snap a photo to remember it. This is a good thing and a bad thing I guess. It hurts a lot when I'm on a trip alone and I don't have anything to bring back. Hopefully with all of us going on the trip we will be able to combine pictures at the end.
DeleteIf I'm honest, from what I've heard about the trip, I've heard that the journal we have to do for class takes up a lot of our free time. I understand why we have to do it because of the class, but it is still a little bit of a bummer. That being said, the journal is going to provide me with a resource when I get back to remember the trip, even though the journal will probably be more focused on educational topics rather than personal reflection, I'm sure it will bring to mind the memories when I reference it years later. I am really excited to go, especially because I feel like Americans have so many stereotypes of China that I need to either confirm or deny. I will keep a written record of a lot of it, but I won't set huge expectations for myself because sometimes I would rather just live in the moment than worry about writing it down for later.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way Christian. Although we have to complete the journal, I plan to live in the moment on the trip. To help me accomplish this goal, I plan to take notes on the trip and then do the actual journal when we get back to the US (if that's allowed of course). In the end, I'm glad we're required to complete the journal. This will help me reminisce of things we did on the trip and memories we made for years to come.
DeleteI was planning on looking at those stereo types too! We've heard so many stereotypes and have never had the chance to check them out, but now we do! I'm curious to see how they react to Americans as well. What their body language will be like and just their demeanor. I'm like you though in that i'm not too interested in making sure EVERYTHING is written down - i want to be able to enjoy every aspect of China.
DeleteThis will be the first trip out of the North American, South American sphere i've ever taken, so I'm really psyched. I really don't know what to expect. In terms of not forgetting, i'm definitely going to be taking pictures but i don't want to be focused on only that because then i feel as though i won't get the full experience. Honesty, since i've never really done anything like this before, i think my brain is going to find a way to remember most of it, one way or another. I feel also, like its the people on the trip that are going to make the trip, not just China. I hope to share some really cool experiences with you guys!
ReplyDeleteIt is true, you make a very good point in that you do not want to be taking photos the whole time. This trip will go very quickly and by the time we get back you will wonder where the time has gone.
DeleteWhen I go to China, I do not want pre-judge the country or culture. Currently, I am a student missionary in Zambia and will only be back in the States for two-weeks before the China trip. More and more Chinese have been coming into Zambia and oversee many of the big companies here. The Zambian people do not particularly like the Chinese because of all the cheap junk they sell to them. I do not want to go to China with an idea of who I think they are. I just want to experience the culture without any preconceived negative thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! By judging the Chinese before we get there can completely alter our experience. Without judgement we can truly experience their unique culture as you mentioned.
DeletePictures, pictures, pictures. They are the visual story of my life. They also help us remember what happened on these trips and its something that I am especially interested in doing. However after this semester of taking photojournalism I believe it will be very helpful for myself and others to write something about each of the photos to give them context and meaning behind what I have seen and experienced. I also want to make sure to listen to as many people and their experiences as possible to learn and understand more about the culture in order to have an understanding of different people and cultures.
ReplyDeleteGood to know that you'll be taking a lot of photos. But as a word of caution, be careful how much time you spend doing it. I've seen too many people just get bogged down trying to get the perfect shot and they really miss out on the experience or being able to see more stuff. Personally, I just use a GoPro and take photos with that. Once I take a photo, I can't review it or adjust settings, so I just don't worry about. Keeps me moving and involved in my surroundings.
DeleteYes! Pictures are great! hopefully the pictures we take during the trip will help us successfully write in our journal and more details will come to our head! Also they will be great memories to have in general.
DeleteOne of the things I really wanna focus on is fully embracing the culture, even the parts I don't care for. I don't wanna go to China and try to find the most Westernized restaurants and stores. I wanna know what its like to be an average Chinese person. I want to avoid the tourist raps and find some really authentic places to explore. I also want to make sure I get enough sleep at time. I know myself, and if I don't get at least 6 or 7 hours a night, I won't be able to fully appreciate the next days activities. Most of all, I just want to have an appreciative attitude. Its not every day that you are able to travel as far away as China. I want to make the most of this experience
ReplyDeleteI like your idea about going to authentic places to eat. I really want to experience real Chinese food and get as much out of the culture as possible as well.
DeleteI plan on doing stuff. As simple as that sounds, one regret I often have is simply "I wish I would have done that." So I'm just going to try and do stuff, even when I don't really feel like it. This will also require a positive attitude and a willingness to go outside of my comfort zone. As long as I do stuff and don't make mistakes, I shouldn't have too many regrets.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey, I really admire the way you want to "do stuff". I have a similar idea of how I want to get the most out of the trip. It sounds like you are really going there with the right attitude so that you can experience many things and have some great adventures.
DeleteThis is probably the only opportunity I will ever have to go to China so I really plan to make the most of it. I am very interested in learning the culture and embracing every part of the trip, Making lasting memories will be easier for me since distractions from social media will be minimized, for example, websites like Facebook are blocked. I want to take every opportunity that I can and that is allowed to go explore whichever city we are in. I am really excited for the amazing opportunities we have to go see many touristic places and taking pictures and making these memories with friends is going to be amazing. I have traveled quite a bit in my life and I always try and make the most of the time that I have so I will hopefully continue to do so on this trip.
ReplyDeleteGreat point about social media. It'll be great to leave all those distractions behind us. Lets us enjoy our experience to the fullest. I need a break from all of that :)
DeleteTo get the most out of our trip to China I plan to try to experience as many things as possible. It sounds like our days will be pretty busy and then we will get the evenings to go out and experience the area for ourselves. I know I will be tired after our long day but I am going to make sure I do things in the evening. When I studied abroad, I told myself I would say yes more often, even if whatever was being asked was outside my comfort zone and I wouldn’t normally do it. I didn’t say yes to everything but this experience led me to make a lot of friends that I probably wouldn’t have and it also led me to do some really awesome things. I plan to take that same practice with me to China. I also want to take a lot of pictures because I don’t usually take pictures and I get back from trips and wish I had taken more.
ReplyDeleteYour plans sound much like my plans - I always regret not exploring enough. I'm glad to know there are other class-mates that'll be motivated to explore in the evenings after our official touring has finished. I'm looking forward to the experiences we'll have because of it!
DeleteTo make sure I get the most out of this trip, I plan to explore as much as I can when we have free time. Yes, I will be tired from all the touring with the group but it will be a completely different experience to venture out on my own in a country I have never been before. Staying in the hotel sleeping or on the computer will not benefit my China experience. I want to make sure I eat someplace new everyday as well. I want everyday to be a new experience. I want to practice some basic Chinese before I go on this trip. By knowing some basic words it will be easier to move around on my own.
ReplyDeleteYou sound so enthusiastic about your plans to venture out with friends, it will add a whole new dynamic to your experience in China. Plus, give you more material for your journal.
DeleteI think your idea of learning basic Chinese words is fantastic. I would like to do the same- keep a journal with key phrases that I've practiced. I think it will add a lot to the experience, some mutual understanding, many laughs, and good memories.
Couldn't agree with you more, Steven. Making the most of your free time by exploring (for example) will be a great way to make the most of this trip!
DeleteI like that you mentioned wanting to learn Chinese because I feel the same way. I met a Chinese man at a party recently, and he sent me a list of helpful Chinese words and sentences that I’m trying to learn a few of.
DeleteI often have the regret of not exploring enough. While in China I want to take adventures, go outside of the tourist locations and truly explore the culture of China. I don't see myself going to China again after this trip so I want to make sure I drink in every aspect of its unique culture while I'm there. Although I may be tired from the long days, I plan to remind myself that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can sleep when I get back to America - there are way too many things to see and experience to go to sleep early. I would probably need to find other class-members that are willing to explore and go out of their comfort zones with me, and that will motivate me to go out when all I want to do is sleep. I'm excited about the learning, growing opportunities, and stories I'll have as a result of these adventures.
ReplyDeleteHow I will make the most of the China study tour:
ReplyDeleteI would like to learn key Chinese words and phrases so that I can obtain a mild respect from the Chinese people and be semi-independent from the translator. Over Christmas break I purchased a National Geographic book all about China. It details each Chinese province- the history behind it, its popular features, and maps. I have been reading this book and will be bringing it along with me as a reference. I hope it will add a richness and background to my experience.
The food is intriguing to me. I would like to visit a variety of dining options both high class and traditional street eating- outside, in front of a food preparation stall in a busy market with a bowel of rice topped with savory goodness.
Knowing myself I would love to say that I could compromise my sleep hours to explore more, but I know that if I do this I will become sick and in turn enjoy less of China. I don’t want to regret missing out on any of the tour activities. I plan on taking care of my health so I can be fully present and engaged in each new day given to me.
I'd love to see this book, too, Jennifer! I feel like you would make a marvelous travel companion because you seem super open to enjoying every aspect of what China has to offer.
DeleteAnd good thing you mentioned health! Definitely something that I feel like is so easy to overlook yet also so easy to have problems with. Gotta plan for that for sure!
I'd love to see this book, too, Jennifer! I feel like you would make a marvelous travel companion because you seem super open to enjoying every aspect of what China has to offer.
DeleteAnd good thing you mentioned health! Definitely something that I feel like is so easy to overlook yet also so easy to have problems with. Gotta plan for that for sure!
To make the most of this upcoming trip to China, my opinion is that since the trip seems to be very well structured already (by keeping us occupied with various activities) I think it will be easier to fully submerge into experiencing the culture as is. On previous trips I have gone on, I've always tried to have my phone on airplane mode and completely disconnect from social media all together. And since social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. don't work in China, that takes care of that distraction.
ReplyDeleteAnother way to make the most of the trip is to get as much exposure to the Chinese culture as possible. This includes mingling with the people, eating at authentic Chinese restaurants, and so on and so fourth. That is one way I plan on being able to make the most of this upcoming trip.
The fact that I am planning a trip to China simultaneously fills me with joy and trepidation. The anxiety I feel is a result of the fact that there is so much I do not know, but that's where the adventure comes in. In order to enjoy this trip at maximum, I will embrace the unfamiliar--the culture, the language, the sights, the people, the food.
ReplyDeleteI will allow myself to succumb to the experience, and the fact that the social media sites that I frequent are blocked will enable richer interactions with the people around me. My fear will hopefully be replaced by boldness.
However, the most practical way that I feel like will allow me to maximize my time on this trip is if I plan well while I'm here in the States. I don't want to miss out on any opportunities because I did not thoroughly think things through.
Overall, I feel like the group I am going with, as well as I, have the idea that we will make the most of the money we are spending on this trip. So looking forward to it.
The fact that I am planning a trip to China simultaneously fills me with joy and trepidation. The anxiety I feel is a result of the fact that there is so much I do not know, but that's where the adventure comes in. In order to enjoy this trip at maximum, I will embrace the unfamiliar--the culture, the language, the sights, the people, the food.
ReplyDeleteI will allow myself to succumb to the experience, and the fact that the social media sites that I frequent are blocked will enable richer interactions with the people around me. My fear will hopefully be replaced by boldness.
However, the most practical way that I feel like will allow me to maximize my time on this trip is if I plan well while I'm here in the States. I don't want to miss out on any opportunities because I did not thoroughly think things through.
Overall, I feel like the group I am going with, as well as I, have the idea that we will make the most of the money we are spending on this trip. So looking forward to it.
That is what I want to do as well, just embrace the time I'm there and live in the moment. I'm hoping I will not come back to the states wishing I had done more or have regrets of not taking advantage of a great experience.
DeleteFor me, the biggest upsetter of my trips is getting too much sleep, being lazy when I should not, and vegging too much. While it's good to get enough sleep, I do not want to just hang out at the hotel in my free time instead of going of and having the chance to see a lot of cool stuff. I want to explore and get the most of the trip, and not come back to America wishing I had done more.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I always regret after traveling overseas is not taking pictures. But this time won't be an exception because I'm not planning to take pictures. I like the concept of capturing them memories and the artistic mind that enjoys capturing the moment just right. However, I don’t have the patience to take good pictures. I regret this after every trip, and I will on this trip too. Even so, I do not plan to used my computer or my phone at all.
ReplyDelete