Visited:

• Beijing
• Linyi Tinjin
• Chiu Gau
• Gong Moon

My first time into China was 2004, and it was a unique experience spending most of my time in Hong Kong and crossing the border into mainland China. You have Hong Kong which is a mix of Chinese and British, and the mainland which is 100% Chinese.

It may be strange to say, but China was one of those countries that felt really foreign - from the language to how you present your business card, to the way you conduct yourself in public and religious practices.

One of my most memorable experiences was staying with family in which at least 20 people were crammed into a 6 bedroom home! They would always give up one bedroom so that I would have a place to sleep. The love and hospitality here is contagious and selfless. On many occasions, a group of us would stay up until 1am trying to speak to each other. We would get out our Chinese and English dictionaries and try our best to learn about each other and our cultures.

Another memory that comes to mind was sleeping on the Great Wall of China! After I told my mom I had to stay another 3 months, she announced that she would be coming over to see me. We ended up visiting a friend near Beijing and finding a place where villagers took care of a string of towers on the Great Wall. It was an unforgettable experience to climb the wall during the night and knowing you were in the midst of something big, but would not see it fully until sunrise.

-Sesha Shannon