I have to sadly admit that before this trip, I’d never been on an airplane and I’ve never been out of the country. All the credit for these two accomplishments being completed goes to MJYF. I’d taken Chinese before going on this trip, but being in China is a completely different experience. There were days when I wanted to cry from being homesick, having to eat different types of food, or having to wake up so early. Those little moments meant nothing in comparison to the opportunity I was given. I was able to see a whole new part of the world, I’d never even considered. I got to the see streets filled with scooters and bikes; I got to see countless people engaging in Martial arts fighting. I was emerged for almost 3 weeks in a another society completely different from my own. I went to a movie theatre in China, I climbed the Great Wall in China, I rode a bus in China, I learned Chinese and martial arts in China, how many other people can proudly exclaim these wonderful accomplishments? Although, as I boarded the plane headed back to the states I felt happy; a part of me felt nostalgic about leaving China behind. It became our home for a few weeks and I remember saying after martial arts class or lectures, “We have about 20 minutes until we get home.” In reality, we were just going back to our dorm or hotel, but something made me call China, home. It might have been the people in my group, the places, or me just being tired from a long day, regardless, I will miss China. My experience would have not been possible if it wasn’t for MJYF. Thank you for being our chaperons, for the funding, and for this amazing opportunity that I will never forget.谢谢!
