day 2: exploring the neighborhood

Enjoying lunch together
​after our faculty meeting. 
Traditional Shanghainese dishes
​are pictured on the right.

​Recognizing 11 years of service
​of the art history professor
​at our first faculty meeting.

FACULTY MEETING: This morning started off with my first faculty meeting. Pepperdine hires local professors to teach some of our classes, like Chinese, Finance, and Art History. They are highly regarded instructors in this area. I enjoyed meeting them all and appreciated the orientation that Charlie and William prepared for us. Afterwards, we all enjoyed a delicious Chinese meal at a beautiful restaurant.
 
AMAZING STAFF: I am so impressed by the staff here. Everyone is so hospitable, helpful, and friendly. Today I met Mona and Gigi who also work for Pepperdine. They wear many hats, including teaching Chinese, preparing all of our cultural trips, and our academic needs.
 
SIM CARD: Mona walked us to get SIM cards for our phones today. The program has been really good about getting us connected right away on Wifi and with hooking up our phones.
 
OUR ‘HOOD: Richard and I walked around our neighborhood today. We are about 5 minutes from the Jing’an Temple and many restaurants. Next to the temple is a 9-story shopping mall! The juxtaposition of the modern and ancient is astounding! 
I have been amazed by all the Western chains here – Dunkin’ Donuts, Burger King, McDonald’s, Starbucks, etc.