Student comments 2008#

The visit to Baiwan has always turned out to be an extremely rewarding experience for IS students. The following are some comments written by Group 2008 at the end of the trip.

We went to a class that night where students around our age were studying or doing homework. They clapped as we entered the room. During that time each student approached me with a big smile on their face; waving hello to me. I cannot speak a word of Chinese but they liked the idea of practising their English on me. We exchanged simple questions such as “what are your hobbies” or “where are you from” or “what is your favourite subject”. I also noticed their surprised faces when I told them I was from India – one student seemed confused about how an Indian came to be in Hong Kong.

Apart from the features of the village, the living conditions that I personally faced shocked me. The scruffy toilets, cold showers, hard beds, lack of air-conditioner, stampedes of flies, and long treks have all contributed to my experience and altered my viewpoint of the world. What strikes me greatly is the fact that many Baiwan children still look happy, even though my shocking living conditions are probably a lot better than what they have. This leads me to wonder how Baiwan children would feel had they been given the chance to experience a modern lifestyle of luxury. Although this may be controversial, I believe the majority of Baiwan children would cry with joy if given this chance….

When I first arrived in Baiwan I was stunned by what I saw. The houses were breaking apart, the clothes of the children were tearing and the streets stank of a mix of gruesome smells. I’ve never been so close to poverty and yet I’ve had the most amazing experience there. This empty, isolated village has filled my heart with love that I’ve never experienced before.

One of the most memorable experience s was during the village walk where an old lady living with her two granddaughters invited us into her house and offered us corn congee. It really struck me as I see how the friendly villagers are willing to share with others despite the fact that they have very little. She is one of the most generous people I have ever met.

My friends’ comments came NOWHERE close to describing the experience, especially about the immense feeling of satisfaction when that last, stubborn kid who won’t talk actually gets up and participates, or when the class you’re teaching really commits what you’ve been teaching to heart. Nor were my friends able to relay that almost indescribable feeling when you turn your back on a school you’ve been teaching at for the last time, turn your back on those welcoming, smiling children, wondering if your lives will ever cross paths again. “Grief” doesn’t quite cover it, “sad” is simply too simple, but that feeling I got is an imperfect reflection of both words put together.