Before I left for Beijing, I described the trip to my family, friends and students as "life-changing" and an "experience of a lifetime." Now that I am home, fully adjusted to my regular time zone, and back to completing my daily tasks as a mom and teacher, I have to ask myself........was it REALLY and if it was, what changed? A seemingly simple question that should have a seemingly simple answer........I could say NO, I am still teaching the same students, I clean the same house, I complete the same daily chores and routines. But also, I could say YES, it changed me in ways that I am still discovering. It changed my family, it changed my students, and it changed my co-workers; our perception of the world has changed dramatically. China is no longer a picture or words on a piece of paper, it is a place that I seen, smelled, touched, tasted, and felt. I now understand more about the Chinese culture than any movie or book could have ever shown me.
Yes, it was an amazing life-changing experience. Because of this experience, my students have a better understanding of Chinese culture, my children (ages 6 & 3) know of this new and exciting world (probably in their mind, a lot like the North Pole because I came home with so many gifts for them) and now they want to visit China. I have been able to lay to rest Chinese stereotypes with all my friends and family by showing my pictures and talking about my experiences. Where do I go from here?
