The Journey to China

By Karina Maldonado

The most memorable moment for anyone can be a difficult question to answer.  I myself cannot pinpoint which memory is my absolute favorite.  When I asked my best friend Summer this question, I assumed she would not give me one specific memory.  But being able to travel to China was by far the best and most memorable experience for her.

The most memorable moment for her was when she studied abroad in China for her junior year of college at SUNY Albany.  In the summer of 2012, she traveled to the other side of the world to volunteer in Asia.  At first, she did not want to go on the trip because she had to be away from home and be in a country she hardly knew.  It can be scary traveling to a country you have never been to.  With the support of family and friends, she took a leap of faith and traveled to China with a few students from school.  In China, she helped elderly, disabled, and underprivileged communities and was exposed first hand to the Chinese traditions and language. 

The most phenomenal memory she was able to acquire from her entire trip was her experience at the Great Wall of China in the city of Beijing.  She was fortunate enough to visit one of the eight wonders of the world and attempted to capture its beauty in pictures.  Climbing up the wall was a thrill to her because it gave her a surge of adrenaline.  Each step further up the wall offered a gorgeous scenic view.  Not many people can say they have visited the Great Wall of China. 

In the end, she was happy she decided to go to China.  It opened her eyes to new and exciting traditions. In her opinion, going to China made her a better person.  She mentions to me that no one should pass up on an opportunity to travel.  It gives travelers a new perspective on other people and cultures.