I bought my ticket to China today. My departure is from Boston with one quick layover in Newark NJ...then straight to Beijing. I leave on February 16th, 2010 and will arrive the following day. I can't believe that after so much planning and ridiculous road blocks that my trip is actually happening. I will be in Massachusetts until I leave (unfortunately there won't be a SF visit before the departure).
For those of you who don't know much about my trip, here's a little synopsis.
I will be studying at Minzu University in Beijing through CIEE's Cultural Language and Cultural Studies program. The classes will include Cultural Anthropology of Contemporary China, Ethnic Diversity, and Mandarin. For 10 days in April, I will be trekking up to the Qinghai and southern Gansu Provinces in Northwest China. I will receive fieldwork assignments which will include homestay experiences with Tibetan farmers, nomads and traditional artists. Talk about immersion.
As for the dancing, let me tell you, networking and knowing people who know people who know people--has been invaluable. I will be working with Beijing LDTX Modern Dance, the first privately founded dance company in China. LDTX II, the 2nd company founded in June 2009, has generously offered me a spot to perform with them for the 4 months I will be living in Beijing.
There is lots more to be put together, but I thought I'd start you all off with a bit of news.
Happy Holidays:)
~Rach
