Christina Batista

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BIO

From Fairleigh Dickinson University | Class 2021
G-MEO 2019 | Spring

Global Campus Ambassador 
"I may be small, but so are stars from a distance" -Unknown

GREETINGS FROM CHENGDU

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February 20, 2019

Good morning USA! Greetings from Chengdu, China! Loving the different language, new culture, and new friends to match!

CHENGDU PANDA BASE

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February 21, 2019

Fact: Pandas are terrible at Kung fu, and climbing, and walking. We had so much fun at the Chengdu Panda Base today! Chengdu is most famous for being the home of China’s magnificent giant pandas. It’s truly amazing to see the symbol of China at play!

new friends

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February 23, 2019

Had a great day with my new friends Jasmine and Judy! So grateful to @gmeochina for giving us the opportunity to interact and befriend local students! 

First Day

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February 25, 2019

Completed my first day of university in China! So excited to immerse myself in the culture while learning about it simultaneously!

my first hot pot

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February 28, 2019

I had my first hot pot the other day! Hot pot is less of a dish than it is an experience, teaming up with a group of friends to cook an array of ingredients -thinly sliced meats, mushrooms, shrimp, Chinese lettuces, fresh noodles, and more- in a single pot of simmering, seasoned broth! (I loved the spicy broth the most)

Sichuan Opera

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March 3, 2019

This weekend, I went to the Sichuan Opera House! 
The Shufeng Sichuan Opera House (蜀风雅韵) is one of the crown jewels of Chengdu. The performance is colorful, musical, comedic, and highly acrobatic, featuring half a dozen separate performances. This includes dances, shadow theatre, and spitting fire, but my favorite by far was Biàn Liǎn (变脸) or face changing! (How do they do it!?) Just another one of the many things to love about Chengdu.

rapeseed blossom festival

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March 10, 2019

And it was all yellow…
I had such an amazing time at the rapeseed blossom festival (strange name, beautiful flower) in Tongnan! This district is famous for its amazing beauty in the spring when rape flowers are in full bloom. Every February and March, fields are blossomed as far as the eye can see, forming seas of yellow buds! Not only did we experience a wealth of scenery, but the locals were so kind. They told me I was the Princess of Tongnan (潼南公主), crown and all!

Chinese family visit

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March 18, 2019

We had such a blast on our Chinese family visit last weekend! A family was nice enough to let @demonshinigami and I into their home and spend time with us! They took us to a coffee shop where we were taught how to make dumplings! (Much harder than it seems!) Their sweet little girl is also learning to dance, so I offered to help! She was nervous at first, but she warmed up fast! We were all close friends by the end of the night, so we wound up singing a few tunes! Kindness in the Chinese culture never ceases to amaze me. So open and willing to both share and learn! I can’t wait to experience more! 

Jinli Ancient Street

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March 20, 2019

China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world…
Last weekend, my Chinese friends Jasmine and Alec invited me to explore Jinli Street with them! Jinli Street (锦里古街) is a renovated area of Chengdu, replicating the old streets of the city. It is a part of the Temple of Marquis, and the buildings are styled after the Qing Dynasty. It is comprised of alleyways dotted with craft shops, bars, and eating outlets! We were also able to watch one of the many traditional Sichuan Operas available while we ate! I think best of all, it is very popular at Jinli to dress and peruse around in traditional clothing! Jasmine was kind enough to let me borrow hers! (They are from the Tang Dynasty!) We were able to take a lot of fun photos and videos! Which Chinese drama do you think I belong in??

The Most Beautiful Flower

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March 23, 2019

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all. 在逆境中绽放的花朵是最罕见和美丽的

Jasmine

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March 25, 2019

Woman: So how did you two meet?
Jasmine: Destiny.
When I first heard of G-MEO’s buddy program here in China, I didnt quite know what to expect. Surely, the last thing I expected to happen was that I’d make a friend for life on the other side of the world. Jasmine has shown me so much love and kindness in the short month that I’ve known her, it feels like we’ve been friends forever. She calls us sisters! One of the biggest takeaways from my experience here in China is that while there may be a language barrier, no such barrier exists for compassion. It’s one of the many wonders about this country. I wake up a little more grateful every day knowing I get to experience more!

the Valley of Flowers

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March 27, 2019

Last week, we visited the Valley of Flowers in Xindu! The Valley of Flowers is actually the largest private garden in China! It is the biggest plantation in the world for the hollyhock flower, the native flora in Sichuan. China is also the homeland of lilies! The Valley of Flowers has over 100,000 lilies of more than 30 varieties. We had so much fun touring around and taking fun photos amongst the flora and sculptures!

About Public exercise

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March 30, 2019

Blue skies and toned thighs.
Public exercise is very popular in China, where groups of people practicing tai chi are ubiquitous. Group dancing remains my personal favorite activity to watch in China! It’s common to see “aunties” lined up on the street corners and public squares, grinning as they move to the tunes blasting from their communal boom box. It’s no wonder they’re smiling, since they’re getting exercise and socializing at the same time! Maybe I’ll join them one day.

Hot Pot Time!

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April 2, 2019

Hot pot hottie!

Spring Break Luxury

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April 11, 2019

Spending my spring break living in a 4 star hotel while simultaneously exploring a foreign country….How was your spring break? 

The Terracotta Army

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April 14, 2019

8,000 faces, 1 story on Day 1 of spring break, we visited the Terracotta Warriors! The Terracotta Army is a collection of sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE with the purpose of protecting the emperor in his afterlife. The Terracotta Army held more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses. It was so amazing to witness the remains of such an important part of Chinese history. Looking out into a sea of thousands of individual faces from hundreds of years ago was something I can’t even put into words. So inherently special. An amazing start to Day 1

Bonus pictures

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April 15, 2019

Bonus pictures from our trip to see the Terracotta Warriors! I’m on a horse. (Fun fact: I’m standing on a pile of bricks to fit that armor)

Huaqing Palace

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April 16, 2019

On Day 1 of spring break, we were also able to visit the renowned Huaqing Palace! 
This site has been as an imperial palace for emperors’ short stays away from the capital for more than 3000 years! Emperors of Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties spent the winter at this place every year. It gets it’s fame for being the place where the romantic story of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty and his beloved Yang Guifei (Concubine Yang) took place (spoiler alert: she dies )
To really get to know more about such a historically significant site was truly extraordinary! There is constantly something to be seen and learned in this country, just waiting for us to find it. The gorgeous weather is also a plus another one of the unforgettable sights of China

Shaanxi History Museum

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April 19, 2019

On Day 2 of spring break, we visited the Shaanxi History Museum!
The Shaanxi History Museum is regarded as ‘the pearl of ancient dynasties and house of Chinese treasures’. It gave us a miniature overview of thousands of years of Chinese history and the revered ancient cultures of olden times! I am always glad to take away important knowledge among many things in China (which may or may not include fun items from the gift shop!) though it was busy, it was definitely worth the hassle! 

Easter in China

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April 20, 2019

A microphone AND a PowerPoint clicker in my hand? Seems pretty on brand to me. (just business student/singer things )
This week, Tencent, a multinational internet-based technology and cultural enterprise, invited me to introduce myself and present the topic of Easter to their Chinese associates! I shared the history of the holiday, how people practice it today, and what it means to me. We even got to play some games and talk about our differences in celebrations! It was so nice to share some of my culture and religion with people who are unfamiliar with it while learning more about other cultures simultaneously.
A quick lesson in cross-cultural competency: Anything foreign stays foreign so long as we are uneducated – that is why it is important to take the initiative to reach out and LEARN!  

Goose Pagoda

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April 22, 2019

On Day 2 of spring break, we were also able to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an! 
Originally built in the Tang dynasty, this Buddhist pagoda currently stands at seven stories tall and faces slightly towards the west. The pagoda was used to house one display relics that were brought to China from India by Xuanzang. Another fun fact about temples in China: they’re all built facing the south! (good feng shui) Though it was a very rainy visit, it was a beautiful one nonetheless! 

Muslim Street

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April 25, 2019

On Day 2 of spring break, we got to visit the Muslim Street Market! 
The Muslim Street of Xi’an (回民街) is a relatively large Muslim enclave, famous for its its profound Muslim cultural atmosphere and it’s delicious cuisine. Though Muslim Street is regarded as a tourist scenic spot by foreigners, it’s actually considered a snack street by the locals. As a matter of fact, what makes this Muslim Street a food street is unending lines of various restaurants and food stalls, some of which specialize in selling cakes, others in dried fruit or breads, and hordes of stalls selling barbequed meats on skewers.

Xi’An City Wall

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April 27, 2019

Our last stop during spring break was the famous Xi’an City Wall! 
The Xi’an City Wall represents one of the oldest, largest, and best preserved Chinese city walls. It was built under the rule of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a military defense system, protecting the capital of the ancient empire during the Ming Dynasty Tourists can either walk or bike on the wall – you just have to be good at dodging people! It was so humbling to stand where people fought tirelessly thousands of years ago. It really makes you think of just how far Chinese civilization has progressed. I had a great time sight seeing on the wall with my Chinese buddy, Cake! (she made me take a photo with the Flower People – pure terror in my eyes! )

commencement ceremony

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May 20, 2019

Commencement on Friday was a blast!
It felt so surreal to have our commencement ceremony last week – a signal to the end of our adventures here in China. Despite the impending knowledge of knowing we don’t have long left, we celebrated in style with dancing, singing, and delicious food! I am so happy I got to celebrate this special occasion dressed to the nines with my program representatives, professors, supervisors, and close friends 

Homebound

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May 24, 2019

Writing about my last day in China has been very surreal. I have changed here. I have a made a second home of a foreign country, and made family of the natives here. Everything I once thought was terrifying or impossible, I have accomplished. I have grown to be truly independent, compassionate, and adapt to whatever life throws at me. I have learned lessons here that I will carry with me for as long as I live. I have made valuable connections and friends for life. Studying abroad is hands down the best decision I’ve ever made. Now more than ever, it is imperative we see the world through a cross-cultural lens, and there is no better way to do that than by exploring it.
I am so blessed to have had such an amazing support system of family and friends rooting me on from home. Now it’s time to come back as an even better me. So long China, I will be back soon for Chapter 2!

internship with Tang

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May 28, 2019

During my stay in China, I was able to receive an amazing internship with Tang International Project Center, a professional overseas networking agency, working on over 2000 projects a year with 8000 talent agents and over 23 countries. Here, I was able to get a taste of what marketing is all about, especially in a cross-cultural setting. I was in charge of the creation and upkeep of all social media platforms, preliminary research and input for unpatented projects, and Chinese to English translation.
As an honors Silberman College of Business student, it is so rewarding to take what I have diligently learned in classes and apply it to the industry I am striving to be a part of. Having a great education and a positive attitude are two of the tools I am utilizing to become a successful young woman in a constantly evolving field. So excited to see what comes next! 

Friend for lifetime

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May 30, 2019

A sum up of our relationship this past semester. I flew to China with a friend and came back with a sister. So blessed to have journeyed the world with such a kind individual. No one puts up with my antics quite as well as Dejah does!