In which Adam makes an introduction

They say there's a first time for everything, so here I go stepping into the world of blogging. This blog will cover the many interesting and thought-provoking aspects of my time participating in the Oakland University Beijing Study Abroad program this summer, which starts tomorrow, May 9th. For the purposes of entertaining and educating readers, I will be using both simplified Mandarin Chinese characters and Pinyin. Readers should remember that Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language and the marks above words indicate the tone: a downward comma indicates a falling tone, an upward one indicates a rising tone, the "v"-shaped one indicates a lowering and then raising tone, and a solid flat line "-" indicates a neutral tone.

Some quick background information about the trip: the study abroad group will be studying and staying at the China Foreign Affairs University ( 外交学院 Wàijiāo xuéyuàn). Founded in 1955, CFAU is the premier school for Chinese diplomats and ambassadors, working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.

This study abroad program features a month of classes, one in Chinese Language and the other in a broad variety of topics relating to modern-day China, including politics, history, culture, economics, and foreign policy taught by CFAU professors.

During this time, we will be taking mini-tours throughout the city to explore the many famous landmarks and historical sites that Beijing has to offer, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, The Temple of Heaven, and much more.

Finally, as the month of classes comes to a close, we will embark on a week-long tour of China itself, visiting Xi'an in the west, Guilin in the south, and finally coming back to the east with a visit to Shanghai.

Please be warned that while this blog is meant to highlight my experiences and display the rich culture of China, I will also be making commentary on controversial issues and Sino-US relations. I do not intend to offend people who feel strongly about controversial topics surrounding the People's Republic of China, but I do want to challenge those readers to adopt a broader viewpoint of the world and see both sides of the argument in these often difficult cases.

Next update will likely come once I arrive in Beijing. See you all then!