The tea harvesting process begins early morning for the people of Bangdong – the village in southern Yunnan that my China cohort and I have been staying in for the past week or so. Each family operates differently, but from what I have......Read More
Today, our group started a new chapter in their lives. Our program has come to an end but each student begins their own individual adventures. Today, we said our goodbyes to Luke who flies off to Taiwan to be with family; Michael who is off to relax......Read More
Hello all! Just wanted to give a brief update on our X-Phase travels so far! We are currently enjoying some relaxing time in Chengdu after an exciting first week of travel! From Kunming we traveled Northwest to Shangri-La, where we spent a day and a......Read More
Hello all! Today, Saturday April 27th, we will depart Kunming and head out for our final phase of Bridge Year: our month of student planned travel around China! Here is our currently outlined itinerary! Keep an eye our for periodic updates about our......Read More
Hello! Bridge Year China will be traveling to Ailaoshan this weekend, a region three hours south of Kunming. While here, we will be camping, exploring the acclaimed nature reserves, and leading our first fully self-led travel! We will be returning......Read More
As January comes to an end, families all over China are preparing to celebrate the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year. Woohoo!!! To ring in the new year, our group is headed first to the city of Lijiang 丽江, and we are going to be accompanied......Read More
HELLO WORLD! January is right around the corner, and this weekend, we are headed to the city of Dali 大理to launch into the New Year! The Dali region is known as the “cultural cradle” of Yunnan providence, and its history dates back to the......Read More
The past month and a half has swept by for Bridge Year China. As more and more of the trees lining Kunming’s streets have lit up with the oranges, reds, and yellows of their autumn canopies, we have developed fast bonds with our host families and......Read More
We have returned to Kunming! An overnight train delivered us to the city early on the morning of October 2, and despite having been back for less than a week, our schedule has already taken us on quite a few adventures. Since our return, we have......Read More
Shushu and I headed towards my home for the next 12 days in silence. After what seemed like a never ending stretch of walking uphill, we finally arrived. He led me upstairs to my room to unpack and abruptly left the house to complete an errand......Read More
For the last month, we traveled around Yunnan from place to place, rarely stopping for more four days at a time. Even in Hongpo village, where we spent twelve days in a rural homestay, we didn’t have our phones. Without the powers of wechat,......Read More
Wurong raced through the front yard, wielding his glimmering silver pot lid shield ahead of him. Giggling and climbing into his grandfather’s lap, he peeked out from around the edge of the shield at the brown haired girl in front of him, who’d......Read More
When I entered the chaos of a new environment, I was shocked by how calm this new normal was. On my first day in our homestay in Hóngpó (红破), my most substantial contribution to my host family was the four bowls and pairs of chopsticks I set......Read More
Alu (my host dad): Abu really wanted this guy! I was expecting more of an ox, if you know what I mean, but I guess he will do. I can’t wait to put this 外国人 (foreigner) to good use. We’re opening up our house but in return we expect some......Read More
中秋快乐！ On September 24, Bridge Year China celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival, known in Chinese as Zhōngqiūjié (中秋节). The Festival is celebrated in China and Vietnam on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which......Read More
