Saturday, August 21, 2010

“UNK trio headed to China”

“UNK trio headed to China”


UNK trio headed to China

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 02:40 AM PDT

Amanda Lunzman, Alison Davis and Vanessa Martinez of North Platte will leave for Shijazhauang, China, next week. The young women will spend four months at Hebei Normal University as part of an exchange program at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

The North Platte Telegraph

On Aug. 19, Amanda Lunzman, Alison Davis and Vanessa Martinez of North Platte will board a plane in Omaha, destination Shijazhauang, China. The young women are students at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and are participating in the UNK exchange program, Semester Abroad. During their four months at Hebei Normal University, they will earn up to 15 credit hours and travel to several sights in China, such as the Terra Cotta Warrior, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Beijing Opera.

"I'm a little worried about the food," Martinez said. "I'm a picky eater and my family says I will be living on rice the whole time."

Martinez, an international studies major, is the daughter of Tracy and Candy Martinez.

"I don't think we as Americans really appreciate what we have," Martinez said. "I appreciate the chance to travel and learn about another culture."

While in China, the three will take classes at the University taught by NHU professors and UNK professor Dr. Kathleen Smith, who is accompanying the nine students making the trip. The students will live in the student dormitories and experience the daily life experienced by young Chinese University students.

Lunzman, the daughter of Neal and Heidi Criddle, is majoring in travel and tourism and learned about the program from a flyer she spotted on campus.

"There weren't many signed up for it," she said. "I thought it was a great opportunity."

Davis plans to teach English as a second language after her graduation from UNK. She is the daughter of Gaylene and Robert Davis.

"We've all been researching Shijazhauang," Davis said. "But we won't really know what it's like until we get there."

The three knew of each other previously, but really didn't hang out together until they each signed up for the program.

"Instant bonding," Martinez joked.

All three admitted they are nervous, but looking forward to the trip. None of them speak Chinese.

"The traveling part has me worried," Martinez said. "Once we get there, I'll be fine."

Click on this story at nptelegraph.com to post your comments, or e-mail diane. wetzel@nptelegraph.com.

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