Our last night

 Ni hao!

 Our last night in Beijing was always going to be very special and rather emotional as we didn't know when we'd next be together. Therefore, we wanted it to be as wonderful as possible and to make the most out of each others' company.

 A large group of us chose to spend our evening at Lakers - it had proved to be very popular during our time in Beijing. I ordered chips and some hot chocolate.

 It was lovely - so much so that I drank about three cups of it! Some people played table football, some of us just sat and chatted, but when Gangnam Style came on, we all just had to get up and dance! 

 Here are some photos of Lakers:

Glasses hanging from the ceiling!

 After Lakers some people decided to go out clubbing but as I had to get up early the next day to catch my flight I went back to our student accommodation for my last night's sleep in Beijing.

 As April and I wandered back through the moonlit BNU campus, I reflected on how amazing this experience had been, and I felt sad that it was coming to an end. 

 Mainly, however, I felt very grateful and happy that I had been given this opportunity to travel to the other side of the world and see, hear, taste, experience in every way possible this fascinating country and culture.

 It was a lovely last night of a life-changing three weeks.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Jumping and shopping

 Ni hao!

 After our Closing Ceremony, Marvi, Sarah, April and I went to record some footage of us talking in front of the main library building for a video Sarah was making. The afternoon sun was so beautiful.

 I then wanted a photo of us all and Sarah said, "We have to do jumping photos!" So behold, a selection of the many jumping photos we took in front of the library on that lovely afternoon.

 Sarah, April and I then went shopping - our very last trip to the Students' Supermarket. I'd become quite attached to that place - I'd been there so often for water and other supplies such as cereal, yoghurt and chocolate. 

 It was quite a nice shop, and it was always lovely to step in from the cold for a quick shop in the warmth.

Exotic crisps

Exotic oreos 

(birthday cake flavour oreos are the best that I've tried in China; they're like normal oreos but with hundreds and thousands in the cream)

3+2: those that I tried were really nice; sweet and savoury in one biscuit!

The shop

As you can see they sell clothes too

These fruit kebabs are a very popular snack in Beijing; you see people selling them everywhere

Bike and phone box

 After our visit to the Students' Supermarket, Sarah, April and decided to get some bubble waffles from a street seller; they were delicious and it was really interesting to see them being made in front of us.

Gangnam Style!

Bubble waffle!

The lovely April and Sarah

 Overall, with the Closing Ceremony and then spending time with friends, my final afternoon in China was very special.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

The Closing Ceremony

 Ni hao!

 I'm going to share with you some photos I took at our Study China Closing Ceremony. This was a really nice way of reflecting on all we'd learnt and achieved during the programme. 

 We also collected our certificates for our mock HSK exams - I got 195 out of 200, which I was really happy with.

Ziggy making a lovely speech

The presentation of certificates

Hai being a brilliant host

 It was a lovely end to a wonderful three weeks.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x