actually, i'm not going with a program. i'm going to a language school (=why i am unsure about things, but i couldn't apply to a university without a contact in china, so, w/o doing it through Reed somehow, which i didn't want to do for the sole reason that i am INSANE, and american programs all cost extra money, and i was trying not to cost my parents ridiculous amounts, so I ended up doing this...). so...i'll be with other foreigners, but i'm just kinda going on my own. fortunately, the lady who i have to email seems to speak reasonably good english and is prompt at responding to my questions. i'll have 20 hours a week of Mandarin class and 10 hours a week of speaking practice.

yeah, it's crazy. china is crazy.