When I was a tiny young girl, I always asked my mother the question: “When will
I grow up?” Even two years ago, when I was a senior in high school, I still could not figure out the answer to this question. Unlike other students who wanted to become mature, I felt a little bit afraid of growing up. I did not want to leave my parents and explore the world all by myself, and I did not want to go outside of the campus and force myself to adapt to the sophisticated and unfamiliar world of adults. All I wanted and dreamed at that time was really simple. I just wanted to be a simple girl, and to become a free-lance writer in order to work at home and live with my parents. To be honest, I believed that I could never grow up because I depended on my family too much. However, life contains so many uncertainties. I received the offer from Emory University, and I had to study abroad by myself.
I grow up?” Even two years ago, when I was a senior in high school, I still could not figure out the answer to this question. Unlike other students who wanted to become mature, I felt a little bit afraid of growing up. I did not want to leave my parents and explore the world all by myself, and I did not want to go outside of the campus and force myself to adapt to the sophisticated and unfamiliar world of adults. All I wanted and dreamed at that time was really simple. I just wanted to be a simple girl, and to become a free-lance writer in order to work at home and live with my parents. To be honest, I believed that I could never grow up because I depended on my family too much. However, life contains so many uncertainties. I received the offer from Emory University, and I had to study abroad by myself.
On the first day of the Emory orientation, I called my parents and almost cried the
whole night. “Mommy, I cannot bear to live here anymore! Mommy, I do not like
America at all! Mommy, I want to go back to China!” At that time, I felt so scared to live
alone in an unfamiliar country. I used to depend on my parents, and they always dealt
with everything for me. I felt that I could not find a shelter to hide myself, and I really
wanted to flight back to home and gave up the chance of attending college. However,
my parents did not agree the decision that I returned to China, so I complained that
they could not understand me and they did not love me. My mother seemed to be hurt
by my words, and she cried after I shouted at them. I hung up on them, and I felt that I
was abandoned by my parents. I decided to bear this semester, and then I would flight back to China anyway.
However, everything would not become alright, and I was still unfortunate enough to
encounter many difficulties. It was a rainy day, and I forgot to bring my umbrella.
. Since I got up late in the morning, I had no choice but to run in the rain in order to
arrive at class on time. However, I was still late and I lost my attendance points. I also
got my midterm grade in biology on that day, and it was the lowest grade I had ever
had in my life.
I felt so nervous and despairing, and I sat alone in the corridor and cried sorrowfully. I felt extremely lonely because I did not know to whom I could tell my worries. A while later, I noticed that someone sat next to me. I found out that an American girl who I knew from the orientation group stared worriedly at me. She gave me a hug and asked me what happened.
whole night. “Mommy, I cannot bear to live here anymore! Mommy, I do not like
America at all! Mommy, I want to go back to China!” At that time, I felt so scared to live
alone in an unfamiliar country. I used to depend on my parents, and they always dealt
with everything for me. I felt that I could not find a shelter to hide myself, and I really
wanted to flight back to home and gave up the chance of attending college. However,
my parents did not agree the decision that I returned to China, so I complained that
they could not understand me and they did not love me. My mother seemed to be hurt
by my words, and she cried after I shouted at them. I hung up on them, and I felt that I
was abandoned by my parents. I decided to bear this semester, and then I would flight back to China anyway.
However, everything would not become alright, and I was still unfortunate enough to
encounter many difficulties. It was a rainy day, and I forgot to bring my umbrella.
. Since I got up late in the morning, I had no choice but to run in the rain in order to
arrive at class on time. However, I was still late and I lost my attendance points. I also
got my midterm grade in biology on that day, and it was the lowest grade I had ever
had in my life.
I felt so nervous and despairing, and I sat alone in the corridor and cried sorrowfully. I felt extremely lonely because I did not know to whom I could tell my worries. A while later, I noticed that someone sat next to me. I found out that an American girl who I knew from the orientation group stared worriedly at me. She gave me a hug and asked me what happened.
I remembered that I answered her with sob: “I feel lonely, and I am really afraid. I do
not have friends.”
“You are not lonely, because I would like to become your friend,” she replied to me at
once, comforting me softly. “Actually, I really wanted to become your friend on the first orientation day, and all of us really like you. Sometimes you are so quiet, and you did not engage in our group. If you like, I can become a good listener to hear your sorrow and worry.”
These words were the best things I had ever heard after I went to America. When I felt
that I was abandoned by the whole world, I found out some people who would like to
accompany me. Perhaps from that time, I began to like America and regarded it as my
place.
not have friends.”
“You are not lonely, because I would like to become your friend,” she replied to me at
once, comforting me softly. “Actually, I really wanted to become your friend on the first orientation day, and all of us really like you. Sometimes you are so quiet, and you did not engage in our group. If you like, I can become a good listener to hear your sorrow and worry.”
These words were the best things I had ever heard after I went to America. When I felt
that I was abandoned by the whole world, I found out some people who would like to
accompany me. Perhaps from that time, I began to like America and regarded it as my
place.
In that situation, I believed that I needed to go outside of my limited and small place
and integrate with other people. If I had made an effort to communicate with them,
they would have become friends with me. Even though I did not have perfect English
skills, they were so patient and helped me express myself. I also began to attend
social activities with other students, such as volunteering in a primary school. I never predicted that I would enjoy taking care of children before I volunteered for the first time. However, while I was volunteering, I began to enjoy looking after these children, and I also began to understand how patient and loving my parents are when they look after me. I believed that life in America was not as bad as I previously believed, and it was actually amazing because I began to explore many unknown parts of myself.
For example, when I got lost, instead of calling my parents and crying, I would use a
GPS to find my way by myself or ask people to point out the direction for me. When
it was rainy, I would check the weather report in advance and remind myself to bring
an umbrella. When I got a low grade and had difficulty in my life, I shared my worry
and sorrow with my friends. I told my parents that I was happy and felt satisfied with
my life, even though I might encounter challenges.
Just when I believed that everything was perfect, however, I received the text from my
mother one day. She told me my father was in the hospital for nearly two months. He
was ill before I left China to study abroad, but he kept this secret because he was
afraid that I would be worried about him. However, my father fainted before my
mother texted me, and she thought it was better to tell me this news than to keep it a
secret.
and integrate with other people. If I had made an effort to communicate with them,
they would have become friends with me. Even though I did not have perfect English
skills, they were so patient and helped me express myself. I also began to attend
social activities with other students, such as volunteering in a primary school. I never predicted that I would enjoy taking care of children before I volunteered for the first time. However, while I was volunteering, I began to enjoy looking after these children, and I also began to understand how patient and loving my parents are when they look after me. I believed that life in America was not as bad as I previously believed, and it was actually amazing because I began to explore many unknown parts of myself.
For example, when I got lost, instead of calling my parents and crying, I would use a
GPS to find my way by myself or ask people to point out the direction for me. When
it was rainy, I would check the weather report in advance and remind myself to bring
an umbrella. When I got a low grade and had difficulty in my life, I shared my worry
and sorrow with my friends. I told my parents that I was happy and felt satisfied with
my life, even though I might encounter challenges.
Just when I believed that everything was perfect, however, I received the text from my
mother one day. She told me my father was in the hospital for nearly two months. He
was ill before I left China to study abroad, but he kept this secret because he was
afraid that I would be worried about him. However, my father fainted before my
mother texted me, and she thought it was better to tell me this news than to keep it a
secret.
At that moment, I suddenly realized that I was not concerned enough about my parents in the past, and I did not notice that my father was ill for a long time. I always depended on them, but they could not depend on me. It was the first time I felt so nervous and terrified of being childish. After that day, when I contacted my parents, I paid more attention to their feelings. I avoided telling them about the difficulty and despair I had, and I tried my best to encourage myself and my parents. Since I did not have a chance to fly back and take care of them, I should at least not make them worry about me anymore. My parents wish that I can become a happy girl, and I want to prove to them that I can take care of myself and they do not need to worry about me anymore.
When I came back to China during summer vacation, all of my family members and my
friends thought that I had changed a lot. Instead of complaining all day long, I chose to
smile at the challenges in my life and tried my best to overcome them. Instead of
depending on other people, I chose to take care of others and make my parents and
friends depend on me. Instead of complaining about life in America, I chose to explore
life there and began to love the lifestyle. On my twentieth birthday, I wished that I
could establish a business in America and live there with my parents.
I believe that studying in America was the smartest decision I made in my whole life
. America has changed me a lot, and when I talked about America with other people,
I was proud to say that it was my new place.
Citation:
"Life as an International Student in the US." YouTube. YouTube, 29 Apr. 2013. Web. 04 Dec. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A5wnZuMuH4>.
China & America. China Daily Mail. Accessed December 4, 2014. http://chinadailymail.com/2013/01/11/analysts-split-over-report-saying-china-far-healthier-than-america/.
Xiaowanzi. 2014. It Me. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.topit.me/tag/xiaowanzi>.
When I came back to China during summer vacation, all of my family members and my
friends thought that I had changed a lot. Instead of complaining all day long, I chose to
smile at the challenges in my life and tried my best to overcome them. Instead of
depending on other people, I chose to take care of others and make my parents and
friends depend on me. Instead of complaining about life in America, I chose to explore
life there and began to love the lifestyle. On my twentieth birthday, I wished that I
could establish a business in America and live there with my parents.
I believe that studying in America was the smartest decision I made in my whole life
. America has changed me a lot, and when I talked about America with other people,
I was proud to say that it was my new place.
Citation:
"Life as an International Student in the US." YouTube. YouTube, 29 Apr. 2013. Web. 04 Dec. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A5wnZuMuH4>.
China & America. China Daily Mail. Accessed December 4, 2014. http://chinadailymail.com/2013/01/11/analysts-split-over-report-saying-china-far-healthier-than-america/.
Xiaowanzi. 2014. It Me. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.topit.me/tag/xiaowanzi>.