[Mexico] Luisa Maria Gomez Manzo, Northwestern Polytechnical University
Dear classmates, I have not seen you for a long time. Unconsciously, we have spent more than a year in the “cloud classroom”. These days, I often miss everyone, miss the good days of learning and living in China. I am currently in Mexico and live very well and of course persistently take part in online lessons. I believe that every student has overcome many difficulties for their normal study and life. I also firmly believe that we will return to China in the near future.
When it comes to online teaching, I find it a more difficult challenge than the novel coronavirus. Although we can still rely on our own efforts to prevent the virus, the class problem caused by the time difference is the Earth rotation, and for which we can do nothing. However, there is a Chinese idiom that “sincerity can lead to success”. Our efforts day and night not only gain valuable knowledge from the distant East, but also enhance our courage to overcome difficulties. I think, it was worth it.
“Bad fortune is what good fortune leans on, good fortune is what bad fortune hides in.” There will always be a wonderful and happy part of a hard life. In the days of being unable to return to China, my classmates in Mexico and I often paid attention to the online news and learned about the progress in all aspects of China. We found that by combining the knowledge learned in Chinese textbooks, unforgettable life experiences and interesting articles on the Internet, we can offer language and cultural courses in Mexico with good teaching effects both online and offline.
So, I have been very busy for the very half year, but also very happy. Because I am both a Chinese student and a Mexican teacher, I have learned Chinese culture and spirit, spread what I have learnt and taught others. I was praised by Chinese teachers and loved by local students in Mexico. Most importantly, I can also get class fees to maintain a well-off life.
The Mexican government hopes its young people to learn more knowledge and improve the overall quality of the country. The Chinese government advocates the global building of a “community with a shared future for mankind”. Countries around the world should be a harmonious and inseparable village. Personally, I have to stay healthy and then consider contributing to society and the world. So, from this year on, this question has been lingering: If there is a new coronavirus vaccine, should I inject it?
With doubts, I consulted Zhang from the school, who is my most trusted friend in China. “Why not? Even if there is pain and fear, it will certainly benefit the body,” he replied. And then I had my own answer.
As is often the case in life, what you think come immediately. Shortly after, I received a phone call from the government informing me to get the vaccine if I like. Perhaps this is my fate with China. When I saw the postal parcel, I was really excited, because the vaccine came from Beijing, China, from my distant and cordial second hometown, from the warmth and greetings of people there.
What happened after I could not remember clearly. I only remember that everyone smiled happily after injecting the vaccine. I told everyone the story of China. I did not feel unwell. I only remembered that someone have said: “With the Chinese vaccine, we can soon return to China.”
Time goes on as usual, and the struggle is as usual. The sun sets and rises, there is no regrets in the pursuit of dream. Today is my 616th day in college, and I wrote my first college composition in Chinese.
The story is from "My Beautiful Encounter with China" Essay Competition organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges (CSCSE).
