May 15th- First Field Trips!!!

One of the best parts of this program at OSU is that our learning isn't confined to the classroom. By that, of course, I mean FIELD TRIP TIME! I was completely excited to go this morning, which was actually kind of helpful because we left REALLY early to leave. We all got packed on the bus and headed off to our first site: the community clinic.

After visiting the community clinic, I would describe it almost like your primary care facility. Instead of a doctor, however, you might find other trained professionals who focus on preventative health. The US might really want to consider adding such a system to help provide health care for those currently falling through the cracks because they can't afford primary care. Because there are no doctors, it may be more affordable and serious cases could be referred to more specialized care if needed. These facilities would be equipped to test blood pressure, height/weight, just as they are in China, and thus catch some of the most common illnesses the US faces today. 

Following the clinic, we went to lunch at a mall. While everyone else went to get Japanese noodles, me a few girls went to this other place that served a world-wide menu. I ended up getting Australian stew and it was so good! Then we kind of explored the mall. Strange fact: food in China is super affordable ($7 for a large meal would be considered EXPENSIVE), but other stuff...not so much. All the prices for clothes and other objects are the same in the US, if not more expensive! Guess I'll get a new wardrobe back home. When we left the mall, we made a stop by the beach for some much needed O-H-I-O pictures and to enjoy the view of the ocean. ^^

Once back on the bus, our field trip continued. Next stop: the Center for Disease Control! Now everyone was really excited for this stop, but it was kind of a let down. Unlike the big state of the art facility one might imagine, it was a normal building and we weren't allowed to see anything they were working on. Still, the lecture was informative, but overall I wish we could have seen more!

When we arrived back home, we didn't rest for long! A big group of us, OSU students and buddies, went to have "hot pot"! In case you aren't familiar with hot pot (as I certainly wasn't), the restaurant has a boiling pot of broth on a stovetop AT YOUR TABLE, and they bring you all types of vegetables and meat (whatever you order) for YOU to cook! The whole concept was so much fun, and everyone ate a TON. The atmosphere was great, and we even go to write little wishes on papers and hang them on the wall. The night was so much fun, but my adventure only continues because tomorrow it's...BEIJING TIME!!!