Answering your questions about asking athletes questions
By Jim Foley Interviewing athletes is what I actually came here to do. It's what I focused my attention on and cared the most about. So I figured what better topic to compare than interviewing athletes back home versus interviewing athletes at the Olympics.As the Pot Calls the Kettle Red
By Seth Adam China is scrutinized for its censorship and suppression of dissidence. However, is America a friend or foe to such stifling circumstances?
Dr. Smilestar: How I Learned to Stop Complaining and Make a Rest
By Mikala Reasbeck The final lines of the movie "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb." are "Mein Führer! I can walk!" They are spoken by Peter Sellers' character, Dr. Strangelove, and they sum up what I tried to convince the Chinese I could do: function.
I'll Save Your Face If You Save Mine
By Jessica Wallner We've all noticed that because of the Beijing Olympics, China has become increasingly aware of its own image in a global context. After two months in Beijing, I have little more to offer in helping the world understand why China does things so differently. However, working at the Bird's Nest as a Flash Quote Reporter, along side my Chinese colleagues, has given me a little more insight into the way journalism is approached in China.
Olympic Challenges
By Trisha Cowen The cultural and professional challenges that I have had to overcome have almost all occurred at my job in the boxing venue. I am leery to delve into my work experience for the fear that one might think that the entire Chinese workforce is like what I experienced.Lost in Translation
By Cara Doronila The one thing I've learned here in Beijing, professionally and personally, is how to become a better communicator.The Closing...
By Mike Nagel Every four years, history repeats itself. A city that spent seven years preparing for two weeks in the world's spotlight comes down from its Olympic high. Beijing is like that now.Stepping back to analyze my Beijing experience
By Alex Matthews Like any place in the world, China has its ups and downs. There have been many, really countless, instances when I'm unsure why certain things are done certain ways, which puts me in a unique, almost constant state of confusion.
Outside of My Element is an Understatement
By Cathryn McDonough I've thoroughly enjoyed my time working in China and at the Olympics. Still, I find myself presented with new and challenging obstacles to overcome everyday.Let's Get Physical
By Cara Doronila Before I started work, I figured I had the many skills required to become a good flash quote reporter. And I thought I did, until I actually started.The Price of Tea in China
By Mike Nagel According to XE.com, today's exchange rate from the US Dollar to China's Renminbi (also known as "yuan" or "kuai") is 1 to 6.82. That makes travel pretty easy and, honestly, is one of my favorite things about China. You need to spend very little to live very well here.Beijing bookstores offer a different way for readers to shop
By Rose Mellion and Trisha Cowen Many of the large Chinese bookstores are not chains like in the US, so they tend to have their own personality and originality. Also, instead of coffee as the drink of choice, many of the bookstores carry different flavors of tea.Fashion or clashing? China and the US seem to differ on this one...
By Katrina McIsaac I am not exactly a fashion plate. But I would probably call the fashion I have observed in China in the past six weeks to be... out of this world, as in alien.In hopes of not getting lost in translation
By Mikala Reasbeck The Economic Observer newspaper on Sunday August 17 published an article I wrote about my expectations of China both before and after arriving. Now that 've seen my name in print, I'm facing a dilemma: it's in Chinese and I have no idea how I've been edited. So I'm posting the original piece here, hoping its meaning is not lost in translation.Beijing nightlife offers variety at a low cost
By Cara Doronila, Jenna Lebel, Sylvie Packard and Helen Todd Several Emersonians banded together to make our own set of standards on how to decide what bars and clubs in Beijing make the cut and which ones don't.Getting the run-around to run around
By Andrea Mooney A run around the local track becomes an exercise of a different sort in determining how the Chinese schedule and conduct fitness activities."Chinglish" and a Whole Lot of Fancy Feelings
By Jessica Wallner It's not surprising that there's a disconnect between native English and Chinese speakers and that the overlap can be pretty hilarious. But it can also be frustrating and eye-opening in terms of bridging cultures.The Trials and Tribulations of a Press Tribune Assistant
By Cathryn McDonough My primary position at the indoor volleyball venue, Capital Indoor Stadium, is to assist in the smooth operation of the press tribunes. It can be exhausting and exciting work.Chinese, U.S. fashion magazines look alike but do business differently
By Adrienne Franceschi A brief comparison of elements in Chinese and American magazines finds that fashion trends and interest transcend language. But the nature of sales and promotion varies widely.Keeping Things Moving: Transportation in Beijing
By Laura McLam There are bike lanes in Beijing that are wider than highways in Vermont. It's a refreshing change after battling for biking space in Boston.I'll Take an Ice Cream Please, But Hold the Corn
By Susy Jackson If you've dined in a Chinese restaurant in America, you might think the Chinese sweets department is limited to pineapple chunks and fortune cookies. While it's true that cakes, cookies, and pastries are not very prevalent here, ice cream pops abound and satisfy my periodic dessert cravings.Big Rods and a Basket of Fish Sauteed in Green Goo
By Trisha Cowen For two years now, I have been working at Orvis Boston, a fly fishing and clothing store in Quincy Market. Trying to pretend I know what I am talking about in the fishing department is a priceless occasion, although I do believe that after a few years I've picked up a few things. But I picked up a few different lessons from some fishermen around the Forbidden City.Before and After: A Beijing Haircut
By Mikala Reasbeck and Justin DeMarco Sitting in the chair, I was thinking this is probably the closest I will ever come to the Chinese torture stories my grandfather used to tell me about when I was a kid.Two Different Views of a Map of the World
By Jennie Palluzzi Living in China for a month has afforded me opportunity to understand some minor cultural differences between the people of Beijing versus the people in the United States. It seems each country believes it is the most important, the center of the universe. But seeing maps around the city showing China and Asia as the center of the world, I have come to realize that China is very serious when it calls itself the Middle Kingdom or the Central Kingdom.
Handmade Dumplings and Chinese Names
By Sara Alterman This is my Chinese name. The translation of "Sara" sounds a bit like "Sasha," with greater emphasis on the first syllable, "Sa." The two characters (the large ones, circled on the paper) are the phonetic representatives of the syllables, "Sa" and "Sha." This is my Chinese name. The translation of "Sara" sounds a bit like "Sasha," with greater emphasis on the first syllable, "Sa." The two characters (the large ones, circled on the paper) are the phonetic representatives of the syllables, "Sa" and "Sha."A tour and a lesson about putting China in the best light
By LLoyd Nelson Upon arriving in Beijing, our hosts arranged a tour to provide us a look into China's people and culture. Needless to say, I was excited. What I saw provided new insight into subtle and not so subtle forms of propaganda both here and at home.Olympic Magic Marks a New Dynasty in 5,000 Years of History
By Trisha Cowen Over the last 20 years, China has tried to ensure that the grandeur of the architecture did not end with the ancient times. No city has as many creative and elaborately designed structures as Beijing these days. When slaving over United States history books, the night before that big exam, sit back, take a deep breath, and be thankful that America is only in its infancy.Working Hard or Hardly Working?
By Seth Adam Living abroad is a far cry from working abroad. While at Emerson’s ‘Kasteel Well Program’ in the Netherlands, I conquered all of Western Europe – visiting 17 different cities in 10 different countries. So I figure take that experience, toss in a dash of rice and some soy sauce and you’ve got China, right? Not quite.
Opening Ceremonies - A View From the Outside
By Bruce Lerch Originally disappointed at being stuck at work during the Opening Ceremonies, I ended up with a night I will never forget. The view from the outside was not too shabby at all.