In front of two pandas at the breeding center

Seeing the pandas for the first time was amazing, they are so adorable, I am glad that it is my job to watch them all day! I am very excited to start working with the pandas and with all the people at the base.

It was a little bit intimidating being in a foreign country and not knowing the native language, but the people are so kind and friendly that I don’t feel as out of place as I was expecting. I am looking forward to living in Ya’an and getting to know the people here (and the language!). Meg has also helped me a lot during my first few days here and I appreciate everything she’s done! I would have been much more clueless without her transitioning me into Chinese life.

My first hotpot experience!

I love that I am getting this opportunity to experience living in a culture that is so different than my own, and of course who wouldn’t want to work with pandas!

Two babies at the panda kindergarten

– Arina

On the famous panda sculpture near the front gates of CCRCGP