Tomorrow. Tomorrow is an usual word, and can have both good and bad connotations. Tomorrow can be a fresh start, a new hope, the dawn of something knew. But tomorrow can also be denying the truth, putting something off and waiting for something which may never come. In this case, tomorrow means going to China!

Our GF adventure is ever approaching and at the same feels like a world away. I've (nearly) finished packing, bought my yuan, activated my cash card and yet I still can't quite believe that in a couple of days I'll be in one of the greatest cities in the world. I have always been interested by China and fascinated by its culture and progress; it was a life long goal to one day visit there. But now it's a reality, and it's almost here, and I guess I just can't believe that little old me from Norfolk is soon going to be in cities of over 20 million people. But I better soon start believing it because it's about to be thrust upon me in all of its Chinese magnificence.

Since November I've been fantasising about this trip, and so I ought to have many preconceptions, expectations and goals.

I think what I'm expecting is a country of contrasts, of the old and the new. Where the generations of Mao Zedong mix with the youth of today; those who once saw extreme famine and economic collapse now see progression, and growth, and a prosperous young era of Chinese yuppies. I want to see how these two contrasts live side by side, and how China's growth has impacted on those who witnessed the past. I'm expecting to see ornate and stunning architecture, left over from China's dynastic years, including lots of bridges and roof guardians. And next to these I think they'll be brand new buildings, innovatively designed and carefully constructed. I believe Shanghai will be more modern than Beijing, but Beijing will be steeped in history and heritage and places of significance.

I think I will witness a hungry nation - hungry for success, for money and for economic growth. Our generation will be motivated and proficient in the areas of maths and science. All in all there will be a feeling of optimism among Chinese people; that times are changing and if they work hard for it they can achieve anything they wish.

I am looking forward to the trip immensely, especially the work placement at HSBC in Shanghai, but also to the cultural visits, the stay with the host family and exploring these two global cities. But what I really want is to sample the real China - the authentic, individual things that make China what it is. To see what life is like for everyday people and to see how the Chinese economic growth has drastically changed not just the world scene, but individual citizens living in 2010, under the cloud of this development, marketisation and internationalisation. My goal is to enjoy and savour every minute, to value this experience and to grab all opportunities as fervently as I can. I want to be open and free in my perceptions and my reactions, and to listen and understand this amazing story which China has to tell. I want to learn as much as possible so that when I return I can fulfill my duty as a Global Fellow admirably; to take my knowledge and experiences into the UK and try and show people why it is so important to begin to understand and work with the raging red dragon.

Thank you to all those who helped get me here, to my parents, teachers, friends and the GF staff. I will miss you and think of you often.

May China be everything we hope it will be.

Xièxie, zàijiàn.

Ollie :)