Pete Middleton, Exchange to China
My name is Peter Middleton and I was in Wuxi, China on a TN that started on the 24th June 2010 and finished on the 18th September 2010.
I started my adventure by flying from London, England, to Shanghai, China. Shanghai is such an incredible city and immediately I met a group of other AIESEC members. We would go out for dinner, drinks, and sightseeing adventures together.
After a week in Shanghai it was time to move to my host city, Wuxi, which was incredibly different, I experienced culture shock quite badly because hardly anyone speaks English here! I got over my culture shock in around three days and started to learn Chinese. Now, I am able to communicate with the Chinese people of Wuxi which is an incredible feeling.
I worked 9-5, monday- friday, teaching children English which was incredibly rewarding as they have already learnt so much from me. On the weekends I travelled to different areas of China; Chinese cities are so exciting and there is always beauty to be found. Local Chinese food is also delicious! I stayed with a Chinese family and their mother cooked the best food I have tasted here.
After I finished my internship I went travelling for three weeks around China which was incredible as I had emailed AIESEC members in the cities I was going to so I had a great time!!
I have met some fantastic people in China, people that will be my friends forever, I am sure. Everyone is so friendly and willing to help and there is always someone you can rely on even if you have just met them.