About twenty international students took a ride from CofC international office, and headed to Charleston tea plantation. After about twenty minutes ride, we arrived to a Charleston tea plantation, and it was an amazing place for a quiet afternoon away from the packed downtown areas. We started with tea factory tour next to the souvenir shop. We watched the videos which explains tea production process as we walked in to the factory.

Next, we went to the bus/trolley tour which was very informative as we get to see the tea plants, and fields as well as their greenhouse. After the tour we had a time, so some went to buy souvenirs, some sat outside and relaxed, and some went to try tea samples. In the souvenir shop you can sample as much hot and cold tea as you like. Charleston tea plantation was huge, and I could feel the grandeur of nature in South Carolina.

Every time I look up the sky I can see and feel that the sky is round, and I can feel that because there is no obstacles between me and sky. Since I grew up in a city area, I had never noticed that before. I can say that I am so lucky and happy that I could come to Charleston, and I appreciate the beauty of nature here every day..

After the tea plantation, we went to see Angle Oak in Johns Island. I was overwelmed by the size of the tree, and I just couldn’t believe that widespreading branches are from one tree. At the same time, I was really surprised to hear that this tree is around five hundread year old which is older than America. It was interesting to think how can one nation develop and lead the rest of the world in such a short period of time.

– Kurumi Hayashi, Communication exchange student from Kansai Gaidai University, Japan