Last day of OELP

Last day

Today was the last day that we would be in China. First, we went to Qibao guzhen. Next, we proceeded to the Shanghai museum. The Shanghai Museum was a total of four storeys high, and there were many different sections on each level. Some sections displayed the old coins used in China in the past, and the clothes that they wore.After that, we were supposed to go to the Shanghai Urban Planning Centre. However, we found out that it was closed on the day that we went. Therefore, we decided that we would just go to the airport earlier. Overall, I feel that this OELP trip was quite a fruitful one. We learnt about China's culture and tradition and bonded with our classmates. Lastly, we also learnt how to be independent and take care of ourselves.Overall,I believe that our classmates enjoyed this overseas exchange learning program very much.

When we landed back in the Singapore,everybody was feeling very emotional as everybody wanted to spend more time with each other.

Sixth day of OELP

Sixth day

Today, we woke up early to return back to Shanghai. After the long and tiring bus journey, we finally returned back to Shanghai. First we went to Chenghuang Miao. It was something like Singapore's own Orchard Road,where all the high-classed people dined.Our next location was the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.We went to the Animal World section where we got to see replicas of real animals.This was also where we bought our CID group identity here, which was a pendant with a clover leave inside. We also watched a short 4D film on how sometimes our bodies reject the medicine that doctor's prescribe. Next, we proceeded to the Oriental Pearl Tower. The tower was gigantic. When we were on the viewing platform, my group mate,Adon,had fear of heights.However I tried my best to encourage him to stand on the glass floor and he battled with his fear of height and stood on the glass platform to take our CID group photo. After taking the group photo,we went into a shop. This was when I realised that I had been cheated of my money.I bought a snow globe in Chenghuang Miao for 96 yuan.However,my group mates bought the exact same snow globe in the Oriental Pearl Tower for 52 yuan. Following that, we went to the Old French Concession. Finally, we went to Tian Zi Fang before we went for dinner. 

Fifth day of OELP

Fifth day

Today, we went to the Dongguan Street in the morning. It was full of shops that sold many different items. However, there was one thing that was very obvious in Dongguan street. There were many shops that sold pets,most commonly, dogs. This attracted our attention as most of the puppies were really cute. After we had finished taking photos, we went to our next destination, which was the Slender West Lake.The scenery there was magnificent.After touring around for a very long time, we were all very hungry.Hence, we went for lunch. After eating ,we went to the former residence of Zhu Ziqing. The place taught us a lot about Zhu ziqing and his entire life.

Finally, we proceeded to Dong Quan Men Alley. The shops inside had the design of China's old buildings, which brought out an ancient feeling of the entire place. Most of the shops sold souvenirs.I bought some snacks for my family.I also bought a new bag for myself. After we shopped, it was already late in the afternoon. Therefore, it was time to leave for dinner.I realised that Yangzhou and Shanghai are really different.Shanghai is a very modern city while Yangzhou is not as modern.I think that most people visit Yangzhou as it makes you feel as though you have travelled back in time to ancient China.

Fourth day of OELP

Fourth day

Today we went back to Shu Ren School again. However, today we went to the school's older campus.When we arrived at the school, we exchanged presents with our China buddies. While we exchanged presents we also engaged in conversations with them. When we were talking to them we realised that we had a common topic,games.After the conversation,the Shu Ren students rushed off for their lessons.For us we went to their art room to learn how to make something that resembled a friendship band.However, the teachers said that the band was meant for luck. After completing the band, it was time to go and perform for the students of Shu Ren School. We took turns with the students from Shu Ren to do our performances. All the performances done by the Shu Ren students were splendid, which showed that they had put in a lot of time and effort into the performance. Of course, we also did quite well. The whole performance was wrapped up with everyone singing the song "朋友”. Before we left, they also gave us one salted duck egg each. Now it was time to have out lunch.After eating,we went for our next lesson which was calligraphy.We learnt how Chinese word characters evolved over these many years.We did what we normally did in school during RV literature last year, as we were learning calligraphy. Finally, it was time for us to say good bye to the students of Shu Ren School. Thereafter, we went to Xinhua Book store. In the book store,they also sold electronics and sports equipment besides books. After that we went to have dinner and headed back to our hotel room.

Third day of OELP

Third day

Today we visited Shu Ren School.Our day at Shu Ren School was a very memorable and enjoyable one. At the school, we went to their school hall to learn Wushu with the students from Shu Ren School. After learning their performance routine, we performed our school's 立化拳 to them.After having the Wushu lesson ,we went to the canteen to have our lunch.After that we proceeded to our next destination, which was the school's garden. Shu Ren school had a very huge and beautiful garden. We took a walk around the garden, taking photos along the way and enjoying the beautiful flowers.

After touring the garden, we went back to the hall, where we were going to take part in a mini competition between the two schools. The games in the mini competition included pairs of students having to hold a ball in between their backs, jumping in a rice sack, balancing ping pong balls on the paddle and throwing shuttlecocks into a basket.We cheered our lungs out for everybody to show our RV spirit.This was something that the students from Shu Ren School did not do. After the mini competition ended, it was time for the basketball match against their school's basketball team. Although we lost with the points at 9-18, but we still cheered, not only for River Valley, but also for Shu Ren School. Finally, it was time to go and eat our dinner.We bid farewell and left.

Second day of OELP

Second day

Today,we left Shanghai and headed for Yangzhou.We had to wake up very early in the morning and took a bus ride for almost 3 hours.We had lunch and after that,we went to Geyuan Garden(个园).After visiting Geyuan Garden,we went to a paper cutting museum(剪纸博物馆). When we visited the paper cutting museum we had the chance to do some paper cutting. However, a problem arise.It was our turn to do the paper cutting but another group was there before us and hence they started with the paper cutting although it was our turn. Hence, we decided to go to the Grand Canal first. After we took a boat ride on the Grand Canal, we returned back to the Paper Cutting Museum. Before we started to do the paper cutting,I thought paper cutting was very easy and simple.However, I found out that I was wrong.Paper cutting required a lot of patience and concentration.My end result was a very torn horse. Finally, we went to one of the local supermarket's in a shopping mall. China's supermarket are huge. There were almost anything in the supermarket.The supermarket was so big me and my group mate,Adon, ended up getting lost and we were unable to find our other group mates. Luckily, we managed to find them.This was out of my expectation because I have always thought Yangzhou was a village-like city. However I realised that  Yangzhou was actually quite modernised.

First day of OELP

Today I left my house at 6 in the morning and headed for Changi airport.I was really excited for this overseas exchange learning program and could not wait to learn about the culture and history of Shanghai and Yangzhou.When I reach the airport, I saw the rest of my classmates and I went over to meet them.I could feel the excitement in the air as the rest of my classmates started arriving.

Then,it was time to bid farewell to our families.Some of us were quite emotional and a bit unwilling to part with our families but most of us were comfortable with parting with our families.

We went on the plane and after a five hour flight,we finally reached our destination.After we collected our luggage,we left for lunch.Next we visited The Bund,also known as,外滩.We were also lucky enough to take a boat ride.After visiting The Bund,we went back to our hotel,we had our debrief and took a good night's rest.