Chengdu, Day 4

The picture above is the view from our 5th floor SOM classroom here in Chengdu. The open space just outside really causes me to envy the students here whom are able to experience it everyday. Compared to my Singaporean school, where getting to class means a hike up a hill, here everything seems much calmer and relaxed. Before coming here, I was also one of those many Singapore who has very negative perceptions of the people and conditions here. However, much has changed since being here. Due to the amazing hospitality and even just by living amongst the people.

 The time shared among the China and Singapore students is really somthing that I appretiate. Although many of them are not able to speak english and some of us not able to speak mandarin, we are able to get along through our common interest. For instance, these two in the picture. They really had a hard time conversing with one another yet, once they discovered their common interest in automobiles, they got along like old friends. This cultural exchange trully helps to break down barriers among people and remove perceptions we have of other people.

Tonight's dinner was an enjoyable one, with many laughs and sharings. The only halal stall located here is really different from what I have experienced back home. I did rather felt repeled by the general look of the place yet still came back for the food. I believed that now I have a greater tolerance of discomfort just by accepting the conditions. We all also had a chance to be friends with the owner, whom happens to be a muslims. He even asked us out to another halal restaurant outside the campus for a meal one day. This experience allows me to greatly apprecitiate intercultural relationships amongst the people which can be easily forged with a simple hello.