We’ve all heard the phrase “It’s either a lawyer, a doctor, or a failure” at some point in our lives. That was before technology and globalization rapidly took over the world. Now, in the Gen-Z world, those careers are so “last generation.” With things such as artificial intelligence, robots, and electric cars taking over our world, what will be the next hot thing in the working world?

Well, I got some of the most tech-savvy and up-to-date trendy teens to answer that question. And who knows, maybe you’ll find your future dream job listed below!

Jessica Q., a junior, says:

I think the new hot careers in the future will be one of the following: AI, data analyst, and/or computer engineer. Mostly because there are so many new technologies being developed these days, and many ideas coming from the new generation, such as robots, flying cars, sending people to space (Elon Musk vibes anyone?), and even haptic technology. So, as long as the technology field keeps developing, these three are probably going to become the new hot careers.

For me, as long as I am good at math or statistics, I would like to be professional at any of the three I mentioned. FYI, math and statistics are the basics of any technology-related career, so those skills will be crucial to the jobs. I think these careers are super beneficial to 21st century society, as to today’s emerging digitized life. Moreover, who wouldn’t like sending the first batch of people to Mars?

Daniel, a junior, says:

I’d say computer science, since you’ve seen the metaverse going on right now around the world. It’s a mind-blowing concept, but the corresponding technology of it is still not comprehensive or mature yet. Thus, these careers are needed to make sure the blueprint comes to life. Things that people are imagining will very likely be real in a decade, and I’m really looking forward to more inventions that maybe do not exist right now. Like maybe actual hover boards, or a robot to do all my chores.

I’m definitely interested in trying out careers in the computer science field. Although I am not currently studying any subject related to computer science, I still follow the latest news on technology and social science, aka trying to catch up with trends. You know what this era is, so it’s gonna be great.

Zoey X., a sophomore, says:

I think careers within the field of software engineering will be very popular in the future, especially for us Gen Zs, and maybe for Generation Alphas (born 2011-2025). Most people in society rely upon or have greater demands on technology nowadays. Even elementary kids need to have iPads for school (and that has only become a thing in the last two to three years). Another field I think might become popular is psychological counseling, because accompanied with the development of our society, an increase of social, peer, and/or family pressure can directly affect people’s mentality. Although we want society to continue to develop, we also need the people to have a healthy mental state so we don’t corrupt.

Personally, I’m more intent to explore psychological counseling. I think it’s quite interesting to solve people’s mental problems and to meet different personalities. Having a career in psychology is quite demanding, but I think it’ll be fascinating to solve problems and help the new generations to become healthier, both physically and mentally.

Jeffery L., a junior, says:

I personally think that psychological counseling will be a very popular profession in the future. This is because now emerging technology industries such as artificial intelligence have entered a bottleneck in their development, and we can see that some internet companies are making layoffs. As people’s life pressure increases, the number of psychological problems will also increase. As a result, the demand for psychological counseling is set to increase significantly in the future.

I think I will enjoy this new career a lot. I am quite good at communicating with people in general, and I enjoy being able to help people with their problems. Although it requires a lot of patience, I’m willing to see the younger ones in society become better. Moreover, I think increasing communication between us will stop society from isolation. So, I look forward to solving that problem.

Sophia H., a sophomore, says:

I think careers like doctor, bio engineering, biomedicine, computer technician, and economics-related careers will be the hot projected careers in the future. Basically, the ones that have a positive correlation with the development of high tech. In society right now, we see people with their phones or computers or smart watches 24/7. So, to keep up with our increasing pace, we need more people within these fields to develop more immersive technology, so our society can continue developing.

For me, I will enjoy careers related to medicine and economics because I’m personally interested in these fields as well. And I think it’s going to be amazing to see the development on the frontlines. It’s really interesting to develop groundbreaking medicines to help people, and I really believe that us Gen Zs can and will make a change in society.

Tony W., a junior, says:

I think careers within the field of psychology [will be the next big thing], because of the relatively large volume of pressure. So, we need to ease the pressure within society. Studies show that the population having psychological problems is starting to increase, especially within the younger generation (like teens and young adults). Psychological counseling is something that technology cannot do, as it advocates human communication. We need more face-to-face communication to ensure our society is in a healthy position.

However, I’m not currently interested in this field of study. Personally, I’m going to be mainly working in the economics field in the future because I am interested in the comparison of economics (which is still very important within our society). But I still think psychological careers are important.

XueFei Liu is an IBDP student studying at Beijing City International School who has an obsession with classic literature and is constantly trying to find the answer to life for herself and others.

 

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Graduation issue

Returning to another semester of school, most of us probably starting to worry about something which can be summed up with two words: University Applications. Questions like “What am I going to major in?”, “Should I have a dream school?”, and “What about extracurriculars?” start popping up in your head more and more as you approach the final countdown to college.

Well, you’re in luck. Because I have rounded up some of the most brilliant seniors and juniors to give you some tried-and-true advice!

Q1: How do you determine your dream school/college?

Linda H. a senior at Beijing City International School (BCIS) in the IBDP program says:

“For me, I have to see whether or not the school has a rigorous and famous program for what I want to study. But more importantly, I look at how well my values are embodied by the school mission, and how well I can fit into the atmosphere and the school body.”

Q2: Am I still able to have time to myself (aka fun) in my junior & senior years of high school?

Juyeon K. a senior at BCIS in the IBDP program says:

“Of course, you can! As long as you don’t procrastinate and find the balance between academics and extracurricular activities (more on that later in Q5 & Q6). Especially kids who are currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Programme, don’t procrastinate on your EE and your IAs. You will thank me later.”

Q3: How do I determine what I want to major in?

Martin W. a senior at Tsinghua International School (THIS) in the AP program says:

“I determined what I wanted to major in through extracurricular activities. My advice is for you to join some clubs and see what you are genuinely passionate about! For me, I joined Model United Nations in my freshmen year and that influenced me to major in political science/international relations.”

Q4: And what if I can’t decide my major? How do I choose my courses?

Jenny a junior at Pakistani Embassy College Beijing (PECB) in the IGCSE program says:

“I think choosing courses/classes you’re particularly interested in or something you’re good at is a good option if you’re still unsure of what you wish to major in. Who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself wanting to major in one of those courses/classes as the year goes on.”

Q5: Should I be engaged in a lot of extracurricular activities? Or should I be studying 24/7?

Caroline H. a senior at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) in the IBDP program says:

“Yes, you should definitely be engaged in extracurriculars. Most universities take extracurricular activities really seriously because it shows you can contribute to their community. On the other hand, although studying is vital it shouldn’t take up your life. So, find some time for yourself and balance it out.”

Q6: I want to participate in extracurricular activities, but there’s so much I want to do.  Which ones should I choose?

Martin W. a senior at THIS in the AP program says:

“Choose the ones you think are beneficial for the pursuit in your major. If you still have extra time, participate in 1-2 more activities that relax yourself. Extracurricular activities should never overwhelm you to a large extent!”

Rachel B. a Y11 at Harrow Beijing (HBJ) in the IGCSE program adds:

“Also, choose a wider range. As in you could do one in sports like volleyball, one in academic or subject based like Model United Nations, and so on.”

Q7: How important are internships? And how can I get one?

Kathy S. a Y11 at Harrow Beijing (HBJ) in the IGCSE program says:

“Internships are not obligatory, but there’s no harm in doing an internship that is relevant to your future major. It’s also something you can put on your personal statement if you decide to apply for UK universities. There are multiple ways to get one. You can ask your parents and your teachers for relevant resources, or even contact the firms directly.”

Q8: Which program is better? AP (advanced placement), IB (international Baccalaureate),

IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)?

Juyeon K.

“IB requires much effort and time, and you may not have enough time for extracurriculars or internship opportunities because of EE, TOK, and IAs. AP is more standardized than IB since IB students only get predicted scores not the actual ones. Taking AP may allow you to spend more time refining your university application and partake in extracurriculars.”

Kathy S.

“IGCSEs are primarily for the UK universities while IB has more global recognition. In IGCSE, students usually take 10 subjects in preparation for the A-levels where it’s condensed down to 3. So, the A-levels/IGCSE is really focused and for people who have a solid idea of what they want to do in the future.”

Q9: Is the university ranking the most important thing to consider when choosing where to apply to?

Linda H.

“Definitely not. No matter where I go, I’ll still pursue my passion. For me personally, location is what matters. Because I want to study in Boston, all of the universities I had on my list were located in Boston. While people may say ranking is important, and it is to a certain extent, many other things such as the location, the culture, whether it’s safe or not, matters a lot.”

Q10: How many universities should I apply for?

Rachel B.

“The UK universities go through a UCAS application and it has a limit of 5 schools. Another limit is that you can only apply for either Oxford or Cambridge. So, for students taking the IGCSE, your limit is 5.”

Jenny

“I think 7-10, if you’re doing the United States system, is a good idea so you don’t overwork yourself. If you think you have time for more, then go for it. Just make sure you are comfortable and still able to keep up with your daily workload.”

XueFei Liu is an IBDP student studying at Beijing City International School who has an obsession with classic literature, and is constantly trying to find the answers to life for herself and others.

Images: XueFei Liu, Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 School Choice Guide issue

Beijing! Without a doubt, one of the first impressions we get of this amazing city is all of the wonders tucked between its historic hutongs and modern skyscrapers. However, have you ever thought about navigating China’s capital without being able to see it? Many might think it’s all but impossible. I mean, imagine not being able to see a perfectly roasted Peking Duck, admire all that history packed into the hutongs, or even cross the busy streets without the gift of sight. Wondering about this and much more, I sat down with Noa Hottin, an expat student at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) who’s visually impaired, to find out how he experiences life in the city.

First and foremost, Noa has been impressed by the lengths that WAB’s faculty and student body have gone to make him feel at home, adjusting content to make it more accessible and inclusive, with more visual-assisted learning. Likewise, unlike in some movies, the students have been super kind not only to him but to each other. “WAB’s a nice place where everyone’s super nice to each other,” says Noa, adding, “Students, staff, everyone I meet: There’s no pressure put on me, and all the questions I get are friendly.”

On a more practical level, although he knows the school’s layout like the back of his hand, Noa does mention that as the school undergoes continuous renovations, he sometimes walks into unfamiliar territory and bumps into the furniture.

But life in Beijing isn’t all about school, and living in this amazing city wouldn’t be complete without visiting places like the Great Wall, delicious restaurants, or dazzling supermalls. And Noa is keen to explore every bit of it. When asked about his hobbies, Noa mentions – before anything else – traveling. “I love to travel, within and out of Beijing,” he says. And his visual impairment hasn’t hindered that love. At just 7-years-old, he was already a seasoned international flyer. One might think that being blind is to live a life of constant fear, but Noa disagrees with the statement. “I obviously feel good in places that are familiar to me. But I don’t feel scared in new places. I feel excited to explore, and being blind has never stopped that desire.” He’s traveled all over Beijing and loves the city’s food and its countryside, believing it to be calming and relaxing, with none of the hustle or bustle of the city. It’s his place to relax and unwind.

With the help of his trusty cane, life in Beijing has become increasingly easier. But his mother mentioned that over the two years they have traveled in China, they’ve never seen another person on the street with a cane. Likewise, Beijing is the only place they’ve been to that provides Yellow ADA Pads to guide him. Unfortunately, due to China’s massive population, there are cars, bicycles, and motorbikes everywhere, and many of them park on the ADA pads Noa relies on to navigate the city. As his mother explains, “I have no idea how Noa will walk without me because there are so many obstacles. There are cars everywhere.” And yet, Noa doesn’t fault the residents of Beijing, pointing out that the city doesn’t really have specific bike parking spaces.

“Beijing is really cool,”  says Noa. “There are the Yellow ADA pads, and it’s the first place I’ve lived in which had these.” It’s something unique about Beijing that’s helped him. What’s more, something that makes the city stand out from other countries is Didi, which Noa and his mom consider inexpensive, effective, and good for people who can’t drive. However, Noa does believe that the elevators in Beijing’s metro system need to be improved, such that they are always made accessible from the ground floor. Touching on his previous point, Noa also points out that Beijing needs more parking for bicycles, and more specifically the shared bikes, which are drastically taking over the streets nowadays. That way, the ADA Pads can be accessed, and the bikes do not need to be forcefully moved.

Overall, Noa believes that Beijing is somewhat conducive to visually impaired people, but that there’s also room for improvement. Nevertheless, Beijing is truly a special place, going the extra mile to make sure that everyone in the community feels welcome and at ease. Now that’s what I call a great city.

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 September-October issue

Growing up in China, I’ve been very lucky to have two doting but overprotective parents. My mother is the typical tiger mom, and my father an overly overprotective dad. As their only child, you can imagine that I’ve grown up with them “helicoptering” my entire life. Sure, I was annoyed at first, but looking back I’m grateful that they’ve done what they’ve done. And yes, I say that with zero sarcasm intended.

#1: Keeping tabs on all my social media

I wasn’t allowed my own cellphone until I turned 14 years old. My dad – aka the IT genius in the house – keeps tabs on all my social media accounts. On top of that, I’m only allowed to use WeChat. To limit my screen time, my parents set up a limit on my phone that connects to my computer and only allows for one hour of use across both devices.

All these rules in an age of unfettered technology drastically set me apart from my friends. Being the only person in the entire grade who can’t freely use their phone is depressing, but I was able to improve my self-control and also improve my schoolwork. Staying away from distractions gave me more time to develop my hobbies instead of being on TikTok 24/7. That’s when I realized I loved writing and English literature, and that’s when I knew I wanted to major in English.

#2: Tracking my location. Every. Single. Second.

My phone is linked to my parents’ phones, meaning they can both see my location through Apple’s built-in Find My app at any given time. So, you can imagine that if I’m not where I’m supposed to be, my parents will scour the streets looking for me. And from firsthand experience, it’s not fun being lectured in front of your friends.

However, any time I see a news clip about a child being kidnapped, I’m glad my parents follow my every move. It’s stressful for teenagers when we’re exposed to such shocking stories, but by letting my parents know where I am, I’m allowing them to trust me more while also gradually exploring the outside world. And it’s reassuring to know that if something happens to me, my mom and dad will send a search party across the entire world to ensure I’m safe and sound.

#3: Grades and VERY high academic expectations

Going into the international baccalaureate (IB) program when I started school, my parents were very strict with grades. In elementary school, I had 30 minutes of math, one hour of English, 30 minutes of piano, and 30 minutes of Chinese every day after school, with both my parents supervising me. Now that I’m in secondary school, I’m expected to get a six or above on every assessment.

My parents know and experienced firsthand that knowledge is power, and they want to make sure their only daughter can have a slightly easier time in the real world. I’m grateful for how hard they push me because it’s awesome knowing that they believe I’m capable of anything and everything, so long as I challenge myself hard enough.

#4: Micromanaging my extracurriculars

Aside from grades, my parents tell me what I can and can’t do for my extracurricular activities. I can recall the basketball fever I got in sixth grade and how I begged them to play. Instead of letting me join the team, my mom freaked out and banned all my sports. It’s a miracle I can still play badminton. My parents go over the extracurriculars I’ve signed up for and pull me out of activities they disapprove of.

But actually, I’m grateful they take the time to check my commitments. Without that, it would be impossible to do everything while focusing on my studies and continuing to develop my passion for writing. Also, let’s face it, the class study sessions were never useful, and getting a broken bone from playing basketball wouldn’t be ideal during exam time.

#5: No social life, it’s straight from school to home

Anyone who has overprotective parents can relate to this. I’m nearly 16 years old but my parents still treat me like I’m 6. From the pick-up and drop-offs every day to the proposals I write to gain permission for a hang-out, I often feel left out and embarrassed when they baby me around my peers. Especially when I’m always using the, “I can’t go because my parents won’t let me” line with my friends.

But by restricting my social life, my parents let me focus on things that are more important. (Standardized tests anyone?) They also make sure I’m not being influenced by toxic friends because truth be told, there are a few toxic friends I’ve made that I regret. By making sure they know the 5W’s of each hangout, they know I’m around people that make me feel good and won’t get me into trouble with things such as clubbing, smoking, or drinking.

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 July-August issue

What’s your name? For third-culture kids living in Beijing, a seemingly straightforward question such as this is wrought with complexity. Names are often the first things you learn about a person, not to mention the first thing you’re taught about yourself. They play a critical role in shaping our identity and the ways we move about the world. As a result, it makes sense that so many of us spend years grappling with that question.

From nicknames to English names through to Chinese names, we asked three Beijing teens to tell us about their names and what they mean to them.

Meet XueFei Liu

I’m often faced with the question: “Do you prefer XueFei or Rosalind?”

To be honest, I used to prefer XueFei, which prompts the obvious question, “Then why did you have Rosalind?”

My reason for choosing an English name was very disheartening. I was so sick of being bullied in primary school for my Chinese name by teachers and students that I decided to come up with an English name. For once, I ignored my parents’ advice. When I was reading Shakespeare’s As You Like It, the name Rosalind called out to me, and I settled on it. Going back to school with an English name made me feel different. People no longer pronounced my name wrong, no longer gave me silly nicknames, nor laughed at my name. So, for four years, I was proud of being Rosalind.

But when I hit freshmen year and transferred schools, COVID-19 forced us into quarantine and gave me time to think. And I started to realize that Rosalind wasn’t that perfect anymore. Walking down the halls with an English name was what I wanted, but it was hiding my Chinese identity. So, when I returned to campus during sophomore year, XueFei started appearing on my tests, reports, and signatures. That’s when it dawned on me. I realized that Rosalind and XueFei are equally important to my identity, and I didn’t need to ditch one part of me for the other. While my papers are all signed with XueFei, my friends and teachers call me Rosalind. Going back to the original question, here’s my answer: I prefer both, and it’s amazing being in the best of both worlds.

Meet TianTian Xu

My name is TianTian and no, I don’t have an English name. TianTian is my English name and my Chinese name.

“TianTian” means “sky sky,” or “day day,” or simply, “every day.”  My parents gave me this name because they thought it would be easy to pronounce in both English and Chinese. But it turns out nothing is ever easy when it comes to names, especially for those of us living between two cultures.

In the US, people hesitate before reading out my name or don’t bother trying. I joined a Zoom webinar-based in the states this year and was the only person whose name was not read aloud with their question. In China, the statement, “My name is TianTian” is always followed by, “But what’s your full name?” because it’s so hard for people to believe my real name would be so simple, a nickname typically given to children.

In international schools, it’s almost expected that you have a Westernized English name. My fifth grade English class in Beijing briefly knew me as Skye, a name that never felt mine. Never underestimate the subtle peer pressure of being the only one in a class of 20 without an English name during rollcall.

But I don’t want to change my name for the convenience of others and to avoid standing out anymore. Just like our identities as third-culture kids, my name falls between two cultures. Blending in was never an option.

It is my choice and my honor to be TianTian, every day.

Meet Tadej Trpkoski

I see my name as a representation of two things: my cultural and personal identity. Both of these things make my name what it is, and a change in either would alter my perception of my own name. The simplicity of my nickname, T, allows me to merge both of these concepts and create a solid self-identity which I am happy with, by keeping a part of my old name inside, and to fit in better with the new people that I meet thanks to the brief structure and simple pronunciation. When moving to a new place, I believe it is important to be able to merge with the new culture that you encounter. While this can’t always be accomplished with a name change, someone who is in my position – having to sort of start over in life and get to know an entirely new world, almost – should switch some aspect of their name in order to fit their foreign status better.

KEEP READING: How To Get a WeChat Name That Doesn’t Suck

Images: Uni You

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 July-August issue

Universal Studios Opening

Since its construction began back in 2019, we’ve all been eagerly awaiting the opening day of Universal Studios Beijing. Well, it’s official! The park will be open to the public starting Sep 20! Now, they’re doing the final round of employee testing before the park’s grand unveiling this summer. At the moment, two metro lines – Line 7 and BaTong Line – have dedicated Universal Resort Stations located near the park’s entrance.

Summer Showers and Hail Warnings

July has been marked by thunderstorms and hail in various parts of Beijing. Shunyi and Haidian were the most recent victims of heavy hail, while Chaoyang and Dongcheng experienced torrential rains. Given Beijing’s sheer immensity, the rain and hail clouds take time to travel from one district to another, and this year, such weather has been much more frequent. So it’s wise to check the hour-by-hour breakdown on your favorite weather app and always keep an umbrella on hand.

Beijing’s HSR (High-Speed Railways)

Beijing’s HSR has certainly become popular over the years. Whereas once people preferred airplanes to high-speed railways, there’s been something of a shift as of late. But it’s not hard to see why HSR is widely used nowadays. With travel time between Beijing and Shanghai cut to a mere four hours, upgrades to Beijing’s HSRs have made them much faster and more efficient. Likewise, since summer is a rainy season for much of the country – especially if traveling to Zhejiang or Jiangsu Provinces – Beijing’s HSR does a great job of reaching every region, even when airplanes fail us.

Beijing’s Sharing Economy

As mobile phones continue to dominate just about every aspect of our lives, more and more companies in Beijing are embracing the “Sharing Economy.” Popular transport apps such as Shenzhou Car Service, Didi, and Mobike make life much easier, enabling folks to bike to work without owning a bike or call a taxi from the comfort of their couch. By installing a simple app on your phone, you’re able to scan and open those share-bikes and get to work without the hassle of being trampled on the subway. Talk about efficiency.

Facial-Recognition Payments in Beijing

China has long led the pack in digital payments. Recently, however, facial-recognition payments (岬졌連마) have gained popularity as an even newer digital-payment method at physical stores. This payment service is operated by Alipay, which belongs to the e-commerce giant Alibaba Group. With contactless payments being preferred due to the coronavirus pandemic, facial recognition payments are taking off. There’s no need to carry a smartphone, bank card, any form of identification, or even enter a pin number. Currently, more than 1,000 convenience stores are using facial payment methods and more than 100 million Chinese have registered to use the technology.

Internalization & Globalization

If you came to Beijing a decade ago, the streets would’ve been full of jianbing and baozi restaurants. Even finding a non-Chinese fast food restaurant like McDonald’s or KFC was a challenge. But nowadays, Beijing has become a global metropolis, serving dishes from all over the world. You can easily find an international panoply of cuisines such as French, Mexican, and German throughout the capital. And yet, despite the heavy internalization, Beijing has managed to keep its traditional roots while embracing foreign practices.

Daxing Airport

When Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) officially opened on Sep 25, 2019, it stood as the largest airport in the world. With flights departing to 112 destinations around the globe, it quickly surpassed Beijing Capital in popularity. The gigantic Daxing airport – with its impressive shape and adorable nickname, “Starfish” – has enormous dimensions and holds four runways. Its location in Daxing District is ideal to serve the Chinese capital and the neighboring areas of Hebei and Tianjin. With a 46km-distance from Tiananmen Square, a 67km-distance from Beijing International Airport, and a 26km-distance from Langfang City Center, Daxing airport aims to become the main airport hub of the region.

Images: Unsplash, Uni You

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 July-August issue

Although they’re a bit different this year, the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games are back in full force after having been postponed due to COVID-19. All over the capital, neighbors are cheering and their TVs are blasting, the Games are a hot topic of discussion, and social media feeds are flowing with information. Whether you’re an avowed sports fan or simply someone who wants to know what all the hype is about, here are four ways to get in the Olympic spirit.

#1: Check out some livestreams

A week ago, YouTube was serving up a steady stream of funny cat videos. Now, everything on the recommended page is all about the Tokyo Summer Olympics. The same goes for just about every other social media account. So save yourself the trouble and download the Tencent Sport (腾讯体育 téng xùn tǐ yù) app on your devices (especially your phone) to access the livestreams of the games. With so many sports overlapping one another, make sure you scroll through the schedule to catch the ones you want to see most. You can also check the competitors’ schedules in case there’s a specific athlete you want to see.

If you already have WeChat on your device, then you can skip Tencent. WeChat’s Top Story section also allows you to access The Olympic livestreams, see each country’s status, and the competitor’s line-up.

#2: Get me the stats, stat! 

So, all your friends are raving about how China just won the diving competition, and how we’re dominating table tennis this year. But you have no clue? Don’t worry, Tencent Sport and WeChat also have all the stats, so you can be the first to tell your friends about China’s newest shiny gold medal. The reporting comes through in real time, so as soon as someone earns a medal, the rankings change. For example, if you clicked on WeChat’s Top Story and opened the ranking window, you’ll see that China, Japan, and the US are at the top of the leaderboard, for now.

#3: Discover new, lesser-known sports

Tokyo’s Summer Olympics features a total of 33 sports with 206 participating countries. Popular sports such as archery, aquatics (which includes swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming), table tennis, basketball (including 3×3 basketball), and volleyball (both indoor and beach-volleyball) are included in the list. However, all of the lesser-known sports like surfing, Judo, kayaking, and cycling can also be found. Last but not least, for the first time in history, the Olympic organizing committee introduced skateboarding as a sport. So get ready to see some of your favorite skateboarders make history!

#4: Check the schedule

The Games opened on Jul 23 and will close on Aug 8. But the actual competitions kicked off two days before the Opening Ceremony with softball in Fukushima – in line with the Games’ theme of recovery. This year’s Olympics features 339 medal events and 42 venues. There are fewer competitions on the opening and closing days, however, the rest of the schedule is jam-packed with different sports that you can tune into.

With these four tips, we hope you enjoy the Tokyo 2020 (2021?) Summer Olympic Games, and are super jazzed about next year’s Winter Olympic Games right here in Beijing. Friendly reminder, there might be some heavy displays of patriotism happening this season, but don’t take anything too seriously. Just cheer very loudly for your home country or any other than you have an affinity for, and be a good sport about it.

KEEP READING: Go Team Go! Olympic Lessons for Children of All Ages

Images: XueFei Liu, Sina Weibo

As Bruno Mars once said, “Today I don’t feel like doing anything.” We all have those lazy days when we do absolutely nothing but stare at our phones, hoping that the black hole of technology will swallow us up and never let go. And yes, using WeChat to pass the time has become overrated. Nevertheless, after some intense digging into the lives of Beijing’s teens, these are the top apps we use to practice procrastination at its finest.

开心消消乐 aka the Chinese Candy Crush

This is a classic elimination game in which players knock out rows of three or more animals of the same color by connecting them in a straight line. There are four templates for the game: score clearance, specified elimination, golden pods, and cloud levels. There are also special tools such as bombs and firecrackers that can eliminate larger groups of animals. With endless levels, weekly and monthly competitions, and special themes for specific holidays (like Christmas and Valentine’s Day), this crazy addictive game is the perfect way to kill time.

Wordscapes

Unlike classic word-based games, Wordscapes is the perfect fit for fans of crossword, word connect, and word anagram challenges. It combines the best of all of them, making it the ideal choice for any logophile. What’s more, there’s also a seemingly endless amount of levels set in gorgeous landscapes and a progress tracker. Competitions kick off at the start of each season, and you can even form a team with your friends and compete with other anagram fanatics around the world!

快看漫画 aka the Chinese Webtoon

With an extensive library of comics to scroll through, KuaiKan is the perfect app for avid readers. It has comics in English, Chinese, Korean, and even Japanese covering a variety of genres including Chinese dynasty comics, idol drama comics, youth comics, and even mythological comics. It’s worth noting that some comics and authors require a KuaiKan membership that runs RMB 15 per month, however, most of the mangas are free. Lastly, the platform has a floating comments feature that allows you to see what your fellow manga addicts are saying about the story. Just watch out for spoilers!

Taobao

Window shopping definitely applies to e-commerce as well, as teens are known to spend a large chunk of their 24 hour day simply scrolling through stores on Taobao. With a variety of retailers, items, and products, Taobao is super user-friendly and is fantastic at recommending products tailored to the items you have in your shopping cart. Whether you’re a video gamer, fashionista, or aspiring visual artist, there’s a world of stores on Taobao to suit your cravings. Even if you don’t end up buying everything in your cart, you’ll manage to snatch up something super-cute and super cheap!

Sudoku

Despite the fact that this is an age-old Japanese logic-based math game, its popularity endures across generations. Sudoku puzzles consist of a grid with nine squares subdivided into a further nine squares, with the numerals 1-9 appearing once in each horizontal line, vertical line, and square. It’s then up to the player to insert numbers one to nine to complete the puzzle. If you’re someone who falls hard for numerical challenges, Sudoku is a must-try. And no, this game is not just for nerds. After a few rounds, you’ll get the hang of it and before you know it, you’ll be playing religiously.

What’s your favorite way to procrastinate? Let us know in the comments!

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If you’re in desperate need of a Chinese name and all you can come up with is something like 安吉拉 ān jí lā – i.e. a homophonic translation of your English name, in this case, Angela – you’re not alone. And if you still think you can get away with something like 小红 xiǎo hóng or 小明 xiǎomíng, basically the Chinese equivalents of Anna and Bob, then it’s time to come up with a better Chinese name for yourself.

宇涵 yǔ hán

The female name, Yuhan, has a beautiful meaning. The word yu represents grace, heaven, and earth, while han represents inclusivity and moisture. The five lines of yu are earth (土), symbolizing confidence and sentimentalism. But the five lines of han are water (水), symbolizing the wisdom of the lord, intelligence, and kindness. Therefore, the person bearing this name is confident, sentimental, intelligent, and kind, and he/she will enjoy a prosperous life free from hardship.

梓淇 zǐ qí

The interpretation of zi refers to deciduous trees and often implies respect and obedience towards your parents and elders. Qi refers to various water sources which signify the intelligence and gift of the child. Together, Ziqi represents precious talent and beauty. The person bearing this name is thought to possess outstanding talents and cherish his/her hometown. Lastly, Ziqi can be used for both boys and girls alike.

欣怡 xīn yí

This name is common among girls and features prominently in Chinese dramas. Xinyi symbolizes joy, excitement, and happiness. When used as a name it expresses a parent’s wish that their child will be happy and carefree. It also means that the girl will grow up to be lucky, beautiful, generous, and happy.

梦瑶 mèng yáo

Mengyao is a beautiful female name with rich Chinese roots. The word meng means dream and refers to the innate psychological phenomenon. Meanwhile, yao comes from the ancient Chinese adage: “The beauty of stone.” The meaning of this word refers to precious gems such as jade and is used as a metaphor to suggest that the girl will be very outstanding and bright. Girls bearing this name are prophesied to have successful futures and will have the courage to pursue their dreams.

浩宇 hào yǔ

Haoyu is a popular name for boys. The word hao comes from an old Chinese saying, “In the vastness of man, and in the midst of a great crowd.” It symbolizes greatness, being handsome, and having good manners. Yu is commonly used for a boy’s name, which highlights his demeanor. Therefore, the person bearing this name is thought to be extraordinary, just, courageous, open-minded, inclusive, generous, and elegant.

俊杰 jùn jié

When taken together, the two words Junjie mean handsome in Chinese, making it the perfect name for a boy. The five lines of jun are fire (火) meaning that he has a hot temper and is overly confident in his abilities. The five lines of jie are wood (木), signifying that the person is very sentimental, accepting, and a lover of the world. Therefore, the person bearing this name is kind, optimistic, sincere, organized, and inclusive. They are patient with others and work hard.

KEEP READING: Having Difficulty Learning Chinese? Try the New Xinhua Dictionary!

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