The difference in our two countries is very much, in conversation, we are interested in Ireland,we think this is a very interesting country, we will plan a vacation trip to Ireland in the future.

by Naughty Girls  class3

Today, we made a friend from Ireland, her name is Lauren. The first meeting, her eyes left me very surprised, because her piercing eyes are very beautiful.

We gave a talk about the difference between China and Ireland, she is very friendly, the conversation between us went very well, even though our English is not good

In conversation, we know that Lauren is a very independent person, maybe because the differences between the two countries, in their country, children at the age of 18 will have to face life alone, but in China, even after getting married,  many youths like children still depend on their parents.

Especially when she said to travel, we are very envious and admire it, because she has money to buy a car, She can drive her car and travel to any corner of the country. It is very interesting and exciting I think.

Finally, the weather is also very different. In Ireland, almost every day it rains. She doesn’t like rainy days because rainy days make people unhappy, especially in the rain. Our group of girls also don’t like rainy days, but in China, though it doesn’t rain every day, the rainy season is from year to year, and the time is longer, it makes people feel very anxious

The difference in our two countries is very much, in conversation, we are interested in Ireland,we think this is a very interesting country, we will plan a vacation trip to Ireland in the future. Lauren said she will come home soon, although we are sorry to hear the news but we hope she can come to China again in the future 

www.shenghuo-zumc.comcategory/culture/

To a British person, the word China brings to mind pagodas, lanterns, chopsticks, noodles… However, the reality in comparison to the expectations of the Irish folk was a shock to the system.

By Blank Class3

When I first met a British person, I feel like a gentle wind in such a high temperature. They are so kind that we had no trouble interacting. Meanwhile, the Irish have been struck by the constant generosity and thoughtfulness of the Chinese people, and luckily not by a scooter…yet. Afterwards, we got to know the numerous differences between us, like language, the food, and the climate. For the students from the University of Ulster, the language was as hard to pick up as were all the new dishes with chopsticks. They were tying Chinese knots around themselves instead of making the bracelets as shown. The food in China comes in many different shapes, sizes and flavours, sometimes shocking to the bland british palate. The Chinese have many ways to cook, including frying, steaming, boiling and so on. So we students in schools can choose indeed different food we like eating, and we all have different tastes. In Ireland, we have…the potato. New to us as well was the integrative nature of a meal. A spinning table?

This was just another aspect of the culture for which nothing could have prepared us. Culture is a word we’re constantly hearing, and the Chinese culture is without a doubt as rich as their food. Every aspect of daily life has an underlying meaning, a story behind it, a tradition… Culture here is real and definite, almost tangible. Whereas the culture in the UK is a more subtle thing where the food and people don’t see or appreciate it as much in their every day life as the Chinese people. It’s inspiring and thought-provoking and sometimes terrifying, as is the driving.

Despite of our differences, we still find things to connect us and we believe that different habits, styles,tastes and kinds of differences between us make the world colourful and also we’ll love the two countries more than before.

Louise who comes from Ireland has been discovered life in Hangzhou for one week, she told me at first ‘it was a culture shock’. If you wanna know Louise experience in Hangzhou what different from her way of life in UK, just keep reading.

by AMZ Class3

FOOD CHALLENGE The first challenge Louise encountered is chopsticks. When she arrived at the airport she was really tried and hungry because of the jet lag. So she went for a meal but no knife and fork but chopsticks, she never uses chopsticks before, so she asked waitress for help, ”it really embarrass” she said. One week later she gets used to eating with chopsticks. ”It is no longer hungry” she smiled.

Besides she said the food in China is quite different from that in UK, which makes she impressed is that it seems like Chinese could eat every portion of animal, like chicken feet and animal viscera because  people in UK  only eat a portion of animal like chicken breast.but she is willing to have a try.

WEATHER CHALLENGE Louise said she can not get used to the weather in Hangzhou, “it is so hot and humid, I almost take shower  like three times a day ,” and the weather in Hangzhou as changeable as baby’s face, it seems like we can experience four seasons in one day.

CELEBRITY LIFE When she walks on the street, many Chinese are interested in her, they wanna take a picture with her, even give their baby to her to take a picture. That makes she feel like s a celebrity she said “maybe it just because I looks different.” “It is not easy to be a celebrity” she added.

TOILET CHALLENGE May be it is an embarrassing question. But everyone has to face it. Louise said she was shocked by the toilet in China. In most public toilets, there are pit latrines.  As we all know, Europeans are used to sitting toilets. So some of her friends rejected to use such weird toilets at first time. But soon, like solving other problems, they overcame this challenge. Overall, it is a little bit difficult but also an amazing experience.

CLOTHES DISCOVERING Chinese silk is famous all over the world. In addition, good silk in anchored in Hangzhou. If you travel to Hangzhou, you must not miss the cherish chance to buy some silk. Louise shared us  her experience about buying silk clothes for her boyfriend. It is an interesting shopping experience. We firmly believe that her boyfriend will love this exquisite present.

CONCLUSION The travel to China is full of challenge. But it is also meaningful and colorful. Louise said it will be precious memory in her whole life.

Erin a language student from University of Ulster, Coleraine Northern Ireland is on a 2 week trip to Hangzhou to learn about Chinese life and culture. Yesterday afternoon we met at the Zhejiang Media University for a chat to discuss her experience so far.

By: Class 3 Erin and Yi Fengyu 

Q. Hello we are both students here at Zhejiang Media University, if you wouldn’t mind we would like to ask you a few questions about your first impressions of China?

The main thing I have noticed is the food here is very different, especially at meal times and the variety of dishes.

Normally in the UK for breakfast we wouldn’t have rice or noodles we would have cereal or toast instead. Also using chopsticks was difficult to master at the beginning, in UK we use knifes & forks and spoons. In addition the dishes are very unusual in particular chicken feet and turtle soup were quite shocking.

Q. Is university life here similar to that in the UK?

No student life here, is very different to the UK as here there are very strict rules and curfews. In my university we don’t have bells also the university in China is huge and probably about 10 times the size of our university in the UK. Many the students in the UK only live on campus for their first year and then in private housing near the university but here the students live on campus for their entire degree course.

Q. What has your experience been of daily life here in China?

It is very hot and humid here whereas in the UK it rains most of the time and we only have a few hot sunny days during the summer. I was surprised at how cheap everything is to buy out here especially clothes and food. It’s quite unusual to see people using umbrellas to protect them from the sun rather than the rain like in the UK.

Also one of the more difficult things to adapt to were the different type of toilets here compared to the UK.

Chinese cities are very overcrowded and huge compared to those in the UK.

Finally what myself and the other students from my university that are also on this trip find quite amusing is the fact that wherever we go people take photos and stare at us.

Q. Finally what have been your highlights so far during your stay?

I really enjoyed visiting Shanghai and seeing the amazing skyscrapers and view from the top floor of the Oriental Pearl, also the beautiful gardens in Suzhou. I have found many Chinese people to be very welcoming and even though there are many differences between life in China and the UK I would to like to return to another part of China in the future as it is a country which has a fascinating culture and history.

Many thanks Erin for letting us interview you today and we hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.

Laura, a language student at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, has come to Hangzhou as part of a two week trip as part of her degree. Being from the UK it was obvious that she may experience quite a culture shock and will need to adapt to China. We interviewed Laura to see if this was the case and if so, what surprised her most about China in comparison with her hometown and university.

BY SYD class3

“Firstly I want to comment on how we have been welcomed to the university, it has been second to none.

One of the first things that was hard to adapt to and to master was chopsticks. However, as time has passed, it has become a lot easier.

I have noticed a major difference between the road systems and traffic control between the two countries. It appears that the UK has more rules regarding the use of the road.

The most obvious and not surprising difference between China and the UK is the weather as it is a lot warmer here. For us it was strange to see the local people using umbrellas in the sun as they are merely used for rain and bad weather in the UK, which it is famously known for.

Shopping in China is definitely cheaper than the UK, not only for clothes but for food as well. It seems that money would go a long way in China. On the subject of food, I have been pleasantly surprised but I think that I prefer the cuisine in the UK as there is more of a variety for every day meals.

Having travelled to a few cities during my stay in Hangzhou, I have noticed how the local people react to Western people. It almost seems like a novelty when there are Western people in the cities as we have had people asking for photos with us or have simply just taken photos as we walk past.

It appears that there were certain aspects of the culture that were harder to adapt to than others, for example the use of different toilets in China.

With regards to university life, in Northern Ireland if a student lives on campus, there is no curfew. Also, there are a lot more universities situated in Hangzhou, more than in the whole of Ireland. I have noticed that there are a lot of breaks during classes in university here, however, in the UK, and especially Northern Ireland, classes last for either one hour or two and there is no breaks during them. The only exception is when a student has a three hour class and so has a fifteen minute break.

As my trip draws to an end, I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and the experience of adapting to a completely new culture in such a short space of time. In terms of travelling, one of my favourite cities was Shanghai, but I have also enjoyed other cities such as Suzhou and our visit to Westlake. If I have the opportunity in the future, I would love to return to China and travel to Beijing to visit the Great Wall as well as other famous cities in the country”.

I often hear many stories about life in China, and what it’s like to live here. Because it is such a big country, I was worried that I would be lost in a sea of people, treated like a stranger. But that has not been my experience here at all.

By AMZ class3

When we arrived in China, the first thing I noticed about life in China was the difference in weather: In Ireland, it rains every day and is very cold, but in Hangzhou, the weather is very hot, and I look forward to the rain! People also dress very differently – they wear much nicer clothes.

The girls also carry parasols, to keep their skin pale. I thought this was really unusual! In Europe, girls try to make their skin darker! The grass is always greener on the other side. The second thing I noticed about China is how people drive. The way Chinese people drive is crazy! They drive very quickly and don’t pay much attention to traffic lights. The roads are also much busier. We visited Shanghai during the Dragon Boat Festival, and went to the shopping district there. There were a lot of people.

China is extremely busy. The pace of life is much faster. When we drove to and from Shanghai, the roads were jam-packed with cars everywhere. I learned that during the Dragon Boat Festival, people don’t pay toll on the road, so many Chinese people drive on the road to visit family during this time.

The food is also very different here. I was surprised when I first visited a Chinese restaurant, because the food is served on a carousel, and we have to take small portions off with chopsticks, which can be very difficult! However, I feel like this is a good thing, because it makes us eat in smaller portions, but still feel satisfied. On top of this, we also eat on smaller plates, which make meals look bigger. It’s very psychological!

The food itself is also something I am not used to. I have never eaten fish and chicken at the same time! I have also never eaten so much rice in my life, but I really love rice so I don’t mind. We’re often served a local specialty of this province, which is the fat of a pig’s leg. The girls in my group try to avoid it because they are afraid of getting fat. But I like to eat, so I dig in. Staff in restaurants also treat us very differently here. In the West, staff try to look busy, but staff in China will stand at the table and watch us eat, incase we need anything. It’s very unusual! But I like it, because it shows that they care about their customers.

In fact, it is not so surprising considering how Chinese people are – very friendly! I feel like they will do anything for us if we asked them, to make us feel welcome. Chinese hospitality is very good. I can’t complain! They are extremely friendly and our host university has done so much for us. Chinese students are also very friendly and eager to use their English, which is good, because my Chinese is not so good… yet! I am having a great time in China, it is not at all like what I was expecting.

 

The unforgettable three years, do you miss them?

In this story, I describe my life in senior high school. In university, I find I am so miss my lost life in senior high school. On June 8^th, 2013, I graduate from my senior high school, and I went to my hearted university. I am so miss it.

By：Taotao He 130306136 class 2

Three years ago, we did not know each other; three years, let us from the strange to the familiar; three years, everyone grew up; three years, the ups and downs are tasted; years, the emotions are experienced; three in a seemingly very long day so spent. Do you miss three the three years?

Occasionally, I remembered the day three years ago after three years, and it will feel a little funny, a little nostalgia and a little warmth.

Occasionally, I turned up my notes after three years, and I will feel a little familiarity, a little memorizes and a little happiness.

For three years, everyone is more or less changed, and everyone grew up and everyone is more sensible.

The year of 2013, I graduated from my senior high school, June of that year, we left high school. We have been accustomed to in the days when getting hazy and accustomed with sleepy face, brush your teeth and gotten used to lazily to exist. Maybe, we were walking but at the same time we were cursing the hateful educational system and calculate the distance to Friday. Maybe, we went to the classroom to read this morning, but after the investigation by teacher, and then eat breakfast secretly. Look at the curriculum, language, mathematics, English, geography, history and Politics, but not our favorite music. But, we must fill with our oath of youth on the table, write down our helpless on the diary, and use all the time to learn but sleep quietly when the bell rang.

I am afraid of the life of senior high school, but I am so miss the life of senior high school, such as the mood in the senior high school. We fear every time the examination, but also look forward to every test. We fear the results announced, but also look forward to the results announced. We pretend not to care about the grades, but read it again and again when no one sees. And then walk away quietly with the thought thatif the next exam is still no progress, I will no longer work. But hard sweat flows never stop regardless of the results is good or bad.

I used to get up at 5 o’clock in the morning, brush my teeth with closed eyes. I used to run to classroom and then put into closing study. I used to run to restaurant and eat meals in five minters……

I recall those habits over and over again. I thought I would forget those habits at this university life, but I found that these habits ingrained in my mind, they are symbols of my high school. My high school life is spent every day in a tense, but I find I love it so much.

Another year graduation season, I have not yet fully receded ignorant, it’s been pushed parting unknowingly cross the intersection.  This is the season of graduation. After three years of studying, there will be a group of children with happiness go to their ideal university, and go to society to achieve their dream. I left my high school just a year. Iwant to return to the classroom to see my perspiration there. I want to return to the classroom to see the blackboard filled with jobs. I want to go back and look at the back wall of the countdown blackboard. I want to meet my friends that we go through the black June tighter. I want to see the campus filled with tension but laughter…… I always want to cry when I recall the days of high school life. The three passing years is the most beautiful memoriesof youth in the heart.

The life in high school can be bitter, however, the bitter experience is not the life those years, but no longer has that kind of life. Former classmates, former teachers, former campus is disappearing and only leaving a share of less than perfect memories.

Sometimes I really miss you. I do not know the distance you, okay?

The unforgettable three years

 We have been told of every thing,such as what you should do,what you should choose and what kinds of person should you be. It`s not wrong tofollow the rules, but there is something hiding behind the fact,that`s we are losing our heart and inner. Finally,maybe we gonna find out a strange self, a hard and painful process, but you must suffer.

Things always be objective in tough days,we met many problem and fight a lonely battle.If you do not want be gone too far,travel in a nice day is my advise.At least decrease your coufusion,make your heart a forest,but not a desert. My college located in Tongxiang,this is my fate to suffer.I was wandering how busy my college was,but the truth is flesh and blood.Tongxiang break my dream and give me a hard choice,my tour must be in a hard way,my position is in the center of Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou Golden Triangle,East 130 kilometers away from Shanghai, 75 kilometers from the north of Suzhou, 65 kilometers west of Hangzhou. So,let me tell you those things about my resort.

1. SU ZHOU

First memory of there is silk and river,and beautiful Miss.Because there was a beauty called Xi Shi end her story here. Suzhou, one of the big city in East China Chinese, located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province, the Yangtze River to south central, east coast of Taihu, Yangtze River delta. Suzhou has a long history, is the first batch of 24 national historical and cultural city. Suzhou has written Loading history for more than four thousand years, is the birthplace of Wu culture and synthesizer, a long history of area south of the Yangtze River is the political economic and cultural center,Suzhou city was founded in 514 BC,one of the Chinese’s oldest city.

2. SHANG HAI

Shanghai is located in the Yangtze River Estuary, east to the East China Sea, across the sea with the Japanese island of Kyushu, Hangzhou bay to the south, West and Jiangsu, Zhejiang two provinces are connected, together constitute the “Yangtze River Delta economic circle, with Shanghai as the leading Chinese maximum economic zone”. Shanghai has a profound cultural background of modern city and many other historical monuments, integration of cultural diversity of southern traditional culture and the local immigration into Wu Yue, formed a unique Shanghai culture.

3. HANG ZHOU

Hangzhou is located in the southeast coast of Chinese, the northern part of Zhejiang Province, the North Bank of Qian Tang River, Beijing Hangzhou the southern tip of the Grande Canale, the National Tourism Administration’s China best tourist destination city, since ancient times, “an earthly paradise” reputation. In my long and excited tour,it is never boring.I had ride to Qiandao Lake and rethink my life.What you can see is just road,tree,and mountain.Besides nature,there is only you stand in ground. By the way,my wheel was broke in Hangzhou,and that is really tough for me.I fixed my bike by my self,half an hour,not bad.It was a dark afternoon,seems like a ride with out ending.It was 270 kilometers,a crazy but Unforgettable ride.

My minds seems my wheel,where it will be,where it should be.

  Ten recreational activities you can do in Tongxiang.Perhaps you have a new date,or you desire to do something with your roommate.Whatever the case may be,you have great deal of activities from which to choose.

By:Chengzhizi Tan 120909213

Ten recreational activities–1.Go to a tea house

You may want to look for the tea house to sit down sometimes instead of going out.The Rodi coco that downstairs in the girls’dormitory is a good choice whose tea and juice as well bread are all tasty,especially the streaming bun in the breakfast would let you desire to taste it again, and again ,and again ,and again…By the way ,the Rodi coco doesn’t give me any money.

Ten recreational activities–2.Go on a picnic

New Century is a local park which draws lots of locals to relax.You can bring food and games for a day of fun.According to New Century park a long river,you can fish .Immersed in the sunshine ,or reading a book in the beautiful grass are all great.By the way,to pay attention to your safety is the first.

Ten recreational activities–3.Take a walk around the lake

There is a small lake near the New Century park where you are suppose to bring your partner to enjoy the views,get some exercise and feed the ducks as well birds sometimes.

Ten recreational activities–4.Start to make a short film

Invite some friends who can form a team to complete your plans of making films.You may be interested in finding views in Wuzhen which is famous as one of the world top of tourist and“the water-rich town ”, which is located in Tongxiang above all.As we all known,many famous films find views there like”The Young Hero Hung Fei Hong”.

Ten recreational activities–5.Go to a KTV

With the development of Tongxiang,there are more and more KTV s showing up in Tongxiang ,such as Xingshang KTV and Qianle KTV.Here you can sing your favorite songs while enjoying the company of good friends and you are suppose to Order food and make a night of it.

Ten recreational activities–6.Go on a bike ride

Ride your own bike,map out a route (the village named Shimen are rich of strawberries in spring in Tongxiang) and calculate the distance using a bicycling app on your phone .Take extra water and don’t forget to wear a helmet.Again,the safety is the most important.

Ten recreational activities–7.Go to the gym

As we all known,Going to the gym is a good way to get in shape.And the equipment of gym is new and a lot ,you can engage in ball games ,mechanical movement and so on.Invite your friends and have you two cheer you two on.

Ten recreational activities–8.Go to the shop

You can choose some books ,then read them in the grass ,library ,the balcony of the dormitory or anywhere you like to improve your amount of reading and your own skills.

Ten recreational activities–9.Go to eat a dinner

You are suppose to find a restaurant you love as recreation area,such as “the grill house”that is on the 27 floor in the highest building in Tongxiang ,the A Neng noddles which is everywhere in Tongxiang ,chafing dish and Huntun.

Ten recreational activities–10.Go to see movies

As a counterpart professional,going to the movies is a activity that we can often repeat,not only for fun but learn lessons and experience in their field .For example,we can learn the propaganda through the layout in the theater.

There are 3 big cinemas in Tongxiang.One is Yongle theater next to the Dongxing building in Zhenxing road.You are suppose to take bus1,bus 4,bus192 and bus 284 to get off in Dongxing station and then take two minutes’walk ,or you are suppose to get there by Tesco free bus.

The second is Fuxing cinema which is in the north of Fuxing road where you can get the tickets at half price on Tuesday and Wednesday since the 15th.You can take the bus11 and bus 12 to come here.

The last one is Convention and Exhibition Center’s cinema which is in the east of Zhenxing road ,and it nears the leather market ,.You are suppose to get there by bus 1and bus2 as well as bus .

With this list of entertainment ,you’re sure to have plenty to do of fun and relaxation ,and you definitely won’t be bored.

 

 

 

While enjoying your staying in a small Chinese town as Tongxinag, where is different from modern cities like Shanghai or Hangzhou, it is always hard for you to find some really useful information when there is nothing more than a phone in your hand. Now, thanks to the recommendation from a friend of mine, who is called Fish, a experienced traveller, we could known that there’s really quite a few useful websites & APPs which would do help you enjoy your staying in Tongxiang by easily found information!

 

 

By: Shelbie 管时 120909137 Class 1 

 

Website & APP For Travelling Tips:

First of all, Fish recommended us one website and one app for traveling tips:

• The Official Website of Wuzhen Traveling

The official website of Wuzhen traveling is quite a comprehensive website for Tongxiang and Wuzhen, including information of overview, photos, videos, traffic, hotel, gourmet, specialty, entertainment, services, forum, booking, conference, etc.

•      Travel Guide (APP)

A guidebook app created by www.mafengwo.cn, after you downloaded one guidebook of somewhere into your phone, you can check it anywhere, anytime, without the limit of internet.

 

 

Website & APP For Accommodation Servicing:

The next two website and app Fish recommended us for accommodation servicing are:

• Ctrip (With App)
• Qunar (With App)

Both of these two website operate their websites and their apps at the same time, reasonable prices for accommodation servicing and flight ticket could be easily found here. Ctrip and Qunar could be seen as the most two high-quality on-line companies for ticketing service in China, also my favorite two.

 

Website & APP For Food and Delights:

If you are wondering, “how could I taste authentic Tongxiang delicacies?”, then there’s another two website and app for you:

• A Neng Mian 

A local delicacies website, A Neng Mian, which had been launched two years ago, has become the most popular local living website in Tongxiang. Here in A Neng Mian, I bet you could find information about authentic Tongxiang delicacies most you wanted.

• Dianping (With App)

Dianping is a recommending website (with app) based on real recommendation from users, here you could find real reviews and photos of somewhere you want to go or you are interested in. Functions like “find the most highly recommend restaurant within a 1-km radius”, or “find the 10 best restaurant s for customer service”, are really convenient.

 

 

Website & APP For Shopping & Restaurants:

If you also couldn’t adapt yourself to the Chinese way of bargain as same as Fish and me, maybe these two  website and app are the best for you:

•   Meituan (With App)

The most popular group purchase website now operating Tongxiang site! With the app in your phone, you could get really amazing prices all over Tongxiang!

• Yi Chuan Shi Chuan Bai

Yi Chuan Shi Chuan Ba is a local group purchase website, which is different from Meituan, you don’t need to pay anything on-line before you get to the store. Also because it is a local group purchase website, more local features could be found here.

 

 

Website & APP For Trip:

Last but not the least, Trip websites and apps may also be the tools you want. As a experienced traveller, Fish summarized two of her best-loved for us:

•        Amap (With App)

How could we choose one best useful map app when there’s more than a hundred map apps in the App Store? That relies on Fish’s years’ traveling experiences. Amap, as one of the oldest map apps for years, became Fish’s first choice. So, just as the funny saying goes, ”If the old dog barks, he gives counsel”.

•        The Official Website of Tongxiang Passenger Bus Center

Whether you are new to here, or you are just do not have enough time to go to the Passenger Bus Center to by ticket to Xiaoshan Airport, the official website of Tongxiang Passenger Bus Center could help you a lot. Here on the website, you can check the departure time-table, buy your ticket, view the announcements, or even give advices and make suggestions.

 

In the end, wish you have a good time in Tongxiang with these useful websites & apps! If you got any questions, please feel free to contect Fish and me, here is the E-mail address: LazySnob@me.com.