Getting out of my surroundings showed me how important it was to learn new, different perspectives about people and things and how important it was to travel and explore the whole wide world around me. My parents showed me that you should work hard early in life so that you can achieve your most ambitious dreams. As I journey across the world and begin the first of many explorations, I reflect on how hard work I worked last year to earn scholarships to undertake this journey. I'm so thankful for the people that helped me hone the courage that has brought me so far. I am ready to continue working hard to become a better version of myself and bring my newfound knowledge back to those that haven't been to China or outside of the U.S. I honestly think that everyone has a chance to be who they want no matter their birthplace, family ties, race or gender. This year I have the chance to experience a cuture on the other side of the world and expand my mind. I have always dreamed of doing things like learning Chinese, hiking The Great Wall, trying authentic foreign cuisine and diving into history that existed long before my own country was discovered. I hope that you all can relate and are as excited as I am to see China for the first time!
