Tough Day...

Today was a pretty tough day to handle as it was our last day in Tianjin and we had to say goodbye to some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. The past two weeks have added up to be one of the most amazing and unique experiences I have ever had, getting to meet all of the Chinese students and learning more than I could have ever imaged from them. Time flies when you're having fun and these past two weeks seem to be a complete blur. It's really hard to say what one event stood out the most these past two weeks as it seemed there was always something new and exciting going on every day. The thing that amazed me most about our Chinese counterparts was the endless amount of giving and selflessness they had. They showed us an never ending amount of kindness from day one, and it didn't let up from the moment we hopped on the bus to leave Tianjin. I knew before coming that in Chinese culture it is very common to give gifts to friends and loved ones, but I had no idea to the extent of which these people would give. I received some very special gifts from many of my Chinese friends that I will hold dear for the rest of my life. I just wish I could have given gifts of equivalent meaning back. This trip has provided me with some of the most incredible experiences and given me the chance to meet the most incredible people, both Chinese and American that I think it would be hard to match such an adventure ever again in my life.