Summer Preparations

Today marks the end of what I would consider the first of two pre-departure preparation stages. I recieved my visa from the Chinese Embassy in D.C. I did this through the Travisa Company. I had requested a mulitple entry (X) visa, but only got a single entry (F) visa. This means that I will not be able to leave China and come back. Once I am there I can not visit neighboring countries because I wouldn't be allowed back in. Apparantly, every chinese embassy has the ability to decide if students can get an x or f visa case by case. I guess I am limited to only touring the fourth largest country in the world...

Anyway, I now have all of my paperwork required in order to be admitted- my passport, visa, admission notice from Fudan, and medical paperwork. I recieved all the vaccinations that are required. I purchased my plane ticket using kayak.com and cheaptickets (for over 13 hundred dollars!). I leave Pittsburgh in the afternoon on August 29, transfer in Detroit, and then arrive in Shanghai Pudong Airport at 7:00 pm local time on August 30. I leave Shanghai on December 24 at 9 am local time, transfer in Tokyo and Detroit, and arrive in Pittsburgh on December 24 at about 4 pm EST.

All I have left to do is practice Chinese and pack up my stuff!

Hey! I'm starting this online journal about my semester abroad in Shanghai, China. I'm going to miss W&J this fall, especially Cross Country, but I'll be back for Intersession and Track! Today, this is really just a test post for my new blog. As the time for departure approaches, I will start posting more often. I'll be including pictures as they are taken. When I'm gone, look me up on Skype or AIM (RunningWars) so we can stay in touch!