In April of 2012, I embarked on a life changing journey, a ten day trip to China. As a sophomore in high school, I was lucky enough to get the chance to travel with some members of my AP World History class as an educational trip. What I saw, and experienced while abroad can only be described as simply unforgettable. I had the opportunity to walk amongst some of the oldest wonders of the world, become immersed in new foods and cultures, and take a trip back into the chapters of history.

Yes, I climbed the Great Wall. And yes, I walked through the Forbidden City. I have seen famous landmarks that most people would do anything to experience. And yet, traveling to some of the most sought after tourist attractions in the world isn't what still sticks with me years later. It's the moments where I set down my camera, detached myself from the label of "tourist", and immersed myself in the culture around me.

These impactful experiences that I write about took place in what could be argued as some of the "less desirable" of places. I was not spending my time in places where tourists flocked in droves. There was nothing commercial about these experiences. This was where I discovered the real China.

A few days into my trip, I had the opportunity to dine with a local family who lived in the slums surrounding Beijing. Their house was approximately the size of an average American garage, with one bedroom, no bathroom, and a kitchen the size of a small closet. In the simplest of settings, we dined with our hosts (the best meal of my entire trip I might add) and I learned more in an hour of honest conversation than I could have learned from any textbook. Coming from completely different walks of life, both parties laughed at the same jokes, shared a mutual love of all things Disney, and seemed to equally appreciate the opportunity to experience a new culture firsthand. Our host family appreciated their lot in life despite what little they had by our standards. Their son, John, was the first member of their family to go college. The pride on his parents' face was indescribable. The fact that they had a functioning roof over their heads, a warm meal on the table, and a son with a chance at an even better life was enough to make them thankful for their lives. As someone who is constantly weighed down by the stressors in my life, I try hard to think about John and his family. They have had far less than me and probably much more to worry about, yet they manage to have a positive view of life and all it has given them.

Towards the end of our trip, I was in the city of Xiang and was able to witness the Quingming festival, an annual celebration to honor the dead. That night, 5 other students and I opted out of a traditional dance performance, and instead chose to stroll a residential neighborhood with our tour guide Archie, who explained to us the significance of the night. During Quingming, families of lost loved ones sweep up tombs and beautify grave sites, present wine and food as an offering, and burn paper in hopes that their ancestors were well off and healthy in the afterlife. We strolled through the quiet streets that evening, smelled the incense being burned in the dark, and listened to the somber music serenading the stillness of the night. We both observed the loving rejuvenation of these grave sites by loved ones, and participated when one family allowed us to burn paper in the small bonfire set up in the street and joined them in silent prayer for the lost ancestor. In the streets that night we were all, Chinese and American alike, united in a shared understanding, bound by a mutual notion of respect and remembrance. This festival, though somber in nature, was a beautiful embodiment of the full circle of life, the dead and the living in an intimate familial celebration.

My experiences In China, will carry on with me throughout my life. So the next time you travel, explore outside your comfort zone, set down you camera for a minute. You might just be surprised at what you'll find.