It’s been a very long year, filled with lots of studying and lots of hiking! I am so grateful that I was able to study abroad for a year and explore almost every region of China. From the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai to the lush green regions of Guangzhou and Guilin to the mouth numbing spiciness of Sichuan to the historic region of Xi’an to the Central Asian influence in Xinjiang- I’ve experienced it all.
I’ve been extremely fortunate to have wonderful teachers who have pushed me beyond limits I didn’t even know I had-who feel more like dedicated parents than teachers. They have taught me what working hard really means and I am grateful for that.
(These are my classmates for Chinese 301. My teacher, Xia Laoshi, is in the center.)
Last but not least, I learned more about myself. I’ve learned that I am capable of speaking another language when I thought I couldn’t. Even through the bad days (the really bad days), I expressed myself in a different language. This helped me understand about the Chinese way of thinking vs. the Western way of thinking. Interestingly, I think I share more similarities with the Chinese way of thinking. I’ve learned to be more confident and to go out and try new things! I’ve metaphorically and literally conquered mountains!
Thanks for joining me on this adventure. It means the world to me.
2 responses to “Homeward Bound”
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Wow, Eva!
You are amazing and brave and a lovely artist describing and sharing the “World of China” with us. Your photos and your travel adventures show your talent for coming up with ways to include us where you went, what you ate, and who you visited. Your studies have surpassed what you have put down on your test papers. You have met people and shared their life and they have met you, Eva, a delightful and sweet young lady, who has represented your best to them. They will also have many great memories of when a group of young people came to see what they were like and were impressed. You left them happy as you valued what they had to share with you, many times your sunny smile showed them how much you cared about them and of knowing them.
The land of many natural wonders and the many beautiful and old Temples and gardens, and landmarks, were exquisite and so novel to see. Your hiking was truly a fun way for us to follow you as you gave us a lesson on the China way of life. All the young friends you met and shared this experience with and all the people of China that you met and shared this year with have been touched with a bond of international friendship!
You are a sweet joy, and we love you! Eva
Sue …and Dave, too.