Life at Chinese University

 In order to help students focus, the main campus was moved to the Minhang Developmental Zone.  This area is not much better than it sounds, and I am only 3 subway stops from most of the factories.  However, the district has a very authentic feel to it.  Most everything is cheaper in Minhang, and the government doesn’t have strict control here.  There are more “black” taxis here than anywhere else I’ve seen in China.  I met a driver who told me that illegal taxi drivers make on average 30,000-35,000 Yuan a year.  He also told me that the government will fine a driver 10,000 Yuan each time he is caught.  Surprisingly, he’s been caught 3 times.  He told me he has no other option to earn decent money.
 
I am living in the International Dorm, and the students were very different than what I was expecting.  First, the students are from countries all over the world; except the Western Hemisphere.  The majority of students are from Africa, Korea, Singapore, and the Middle East.  Even more exciting, I live on the same floor as 8 North Korean students.  If you would ask me to describe someone from an Asian Communist police state, I would describe my North Korean neighbor.
 
There are 3 other white students on a campus of over 20,000 students.  As a result, I attract plenty of attention wherever I go.   
 
I’ll post more tomorrow.