Two weeks ago, I traveled over 20 hours from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Taipei, Taiwan. I stepped off the airplane, eager to begin my journey as a volunteer English teacher, yet nervous to find out what teaching in a foreign country would entail. Though excited for the opportunity to be part of the AID (Assisting Individuals with Disadvantages) Summer Program, I knew it would not be an easy road ahead.

First and foremost, I had never been a teacher before. Sure I had experience as a camp counselor of sorts, but I had never had to create official teaching plans and be at the head of a classroom for six hours a day. I quickly learned there is a great difference in the programs I used to be a part of and the program I am a part of now.

Whereas I used to take a couple hours out of my day to facilitate fun games and activities for local kids in Virginia Beach, I now find myself across the world in Taiwan, attempting to bring some knowledge to a completely different atmosphere. I have spent over fifty hours in workshops learning effective teaching methods for underprivileged kids, utilized my bilingual abilities to collaborate with both American and Taiwanese program members, and exercised my creativity to create compelling and memorable classes.

Though my schedule is tiring, rigorous, and demanding, I often find myself paused in little moments, simply thankful that I was given the opportunity to have this experience. When I see my students laughing, playing, and understanding in class, there is truly no feeling more rewarding. During lunch time, when they flock to sit next to me and eagerly ask about my life in America, I can't help but smile at their excitement about the little things. When we go on field trips and play Taiwanese and American games, I can't help but feel happy that though they are years younger than me, they are teaching me about a part of my bi-cultural background that I never got to experience growing up.

While some nights I wish my lesson plans could write themselves and some mornings I wish that I could just stay in bed forever, being with these kids who are so full of bliss, energy, and zest for life makes me feel grateful that I was granted this short time to share what I can with them and absorb what I can from them.

At the end of these few weeks, I hope my students take away much more than vocabulary words and conversational terms. I hope that by forcing them to speak aloud in class even when they are unsure of themselves, they come to see trying is the most important facet of life. With this, I hope they walk away with a renewed sense of confidence and courageousness, remembering our precious, short time together.