Integrating into my Community in Shenyang

Location:
Shenyang, China
Latitude/Longitude:
41.805699000000, 123.431472000000
Journal Entry:

Moving here, I was worried that it would be difficult to meet new people because I don't speak Chinese. Fortunately, I have been able to make friends who speak English! My first week here, I had many people invite me to dinner or offer to show me how to take buses and taxis. A few of my students even brought me candy from their hometowns to welcome me. (The most interesting candy I received was a shrimp-flavored one!) Meeting new friends has helped me to feel more at home and figure out how to get around the city more easily. It has also helped me practice my Chinese and feel less homesick for my family and friends back in the United States. Common places to hang out with friends in China are restaurants and night markets. At night markets, there are many street vendors selling all different types of food. With my Chinese friends, I tried a fried chicken foot. I found that it was surprisingly delicious! Would you try or have you tried a fried chicken foot? In addition to trying new foods, I have gotten into a good routine of walking or running along the river with friends each day. This is good exercise, and I enjoy getting outside with locals here. All of these connections helps me to feel like I'm not just a visitor, but a real part of the community.

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