Beijing, here I come!

Hi everyone! I've started this blog to document my upcoming experience in Beijing. I'll be going there to study mandarin for 12 weeks from September-December 07. I chose to go to Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) basically because it seems like a good place to start. Lots of foreign students and it's also a college teaching would-be Chinese Language teachers. Most of the universities (apparently) use BLCU text books.

Originally, I was planning to start off with the 12 weeks intensive course, and see how I go, possibly changing to a different university later on. Also not too keen to be in Beijing for winter! After my visit earlier this year, I'm not sure if I would want to stay in Beijing after this 12 week stint - basically because of all the smog! Not sure if I can handle all the pollution! Anyway, I will see how I go...probably will get better as the Olympic approaches.

As for preparation, I have been studying BLCU's book, "A Study Tour for Learners of Chinese" by Dr Andrew Lynn. A very useful book. I've leant to say, amongst other things, "Yao liang ping pijiu" - "I want two bottles of beers", "Wo yao xilanhua" -"I want broccoli"...he he! I can see myself eating a lot of broccoli in China! The book also teaches lots of useful expressions for various situations eg. how to bargain, "Da zhe ma?" - "Can I have a discount", and "Tai gui le!"- "Too expensive!", also when catching a taxi, "Qing ni bu yao tai kuai, wo haipa." - "Please don't go too fast, I'm scared" - if you've been to Beijing (or may be China in general?) you'll understand why this is such an important expression!

So, Beijing, here I come! It should be a great experience, and please feel free to leave any comments and questions in the comment section...and hopefully this blog will work when I'm in China since apparently blogger is blocked there!!!! I think I will be able to update it but might have difficulty viewing it from China. Anyway, see how I go!