IES Global

Being familiar with ‘normal’ Beijing, it was all a little eerie but amazingly convenient! The sun beamed down onto the lavish Huiqiao Hotel opposite UIBE disclosure it’s whispers of spring.  This is where our 85 newbies from seven different countries, are placed along with some of us have also upped sticks and set up shop there for the fortnight.  

Out of 85 people, only around 30 were to land on official arrival day due to some coming early for Spring Festival.  Jess, one of our intern managers set off for the airport at around 8am with a few others and there she remained cladding TTC hoody, flag and sign (to ensure definite recognition!)  Obviously, British Airways didn’t fail to live up to expectations, however despite a few minor delays , the mini bus drove back and forth like clockwork due to empty roads and a comparatively hollow airport.  Jess and the airport gang wiled away Starbucks coffees and McDonalds milkshakes gathering up the tribes of TTC’ers that came off of each flight and in the hours between, well…there’s always ‘I Spy’.  But all in all it was a lovely, relaxed day (which makes a change in the world of TTC I’ll have you know!). 

With half now fed, watered and comfortably recuperating back at the hotel (and the other half partying wildly) there was nothing to be done until the next morning giving the array of arrivals a chance to get their head down and remedy their jetlag for a whole load of registration and orientation the following days. 

Sunday is typically a day of rest. Not this Sunday. At 9am we thrust everyone into the full on world of TTC with welcome packs, nametags, mobile phones and visa applications (plus photos).  It was the system of all systems, we had stickers, highlighters, lists, piles, orders, tags, colored tags, groups, alphabetizing, lines, queues and arrows! And it all paid off because by half passed 11 and not one minute after- everyone was done.  Registration was over; they had been there, done that and before you ask-yes, they have their t-shirts!  All in time for lunch!