Capilano University Students Blogging Abroad

After 20 hours, we are now standing on the land of China. Last night’s taxi ride to the hotel was an introduction for most of us. The amount of cars were on the street at 2 in the morning was unbelievable. Many stores were still open to serve people. It seems normal for Chinese people to walk on the street at 2 in the morning to find some late night snack. This is very different from what we are used to. After a few hours of resting at the hotel, I gave the group a brief overview of Mandarin and Chinese dinning etiquette. It was definitely an interesting experience for me to teach 20 people how to speak my native language and to eat a formal Chinese meal. I presented a few basic phrases that the group needs to know in order to get by while they are on their own. For instance, how to find a particular subway station, where is the washroom, how to greet others and introduce self, and how to ask for the price etc. Most of the group got the idea and have a basic travel Chinese phras...

Here at INSEEC there is annual campaign between student associations called the BDE or “The List.” In the month of March three different associations of first year students campaign and do literally almost anything for the student vote. What the students are voting for is to make that association the most important student run association at INSEEC for the following year. This means A LOT to the students. They put in so much effort putting on events, advertising their “asso” and doing favours for the students. Each association sets up a hotline where anyone at INSEEC can call and ask a favour. These favours range from sending a student over to clean your apartment, do your dishes, bring you food, drive you home, or even give you a massage. It is available at almost all hours and certain students use it as much as they possibly can. Each association also puts on a big party called an appartathlon. If you want to go, you buy your ticket but you must be very fast as they sel...