China Daily Global Edition (USA)
More college students find it a rich and rewarding experience to help people in developing countries during their vacations
Zhao Yuti was regretful that he didn’t spend more time in Cambodia during the past summer vacation to establish a better connection with the children he met.
The 21-year-old junior student from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing went to Siem Reap on Aug 19 to teach English voluntarily for one week in a school.
The experience was an unforgettable one for Zhao as he immersed himself in a new country.
What touched Zhao most was the children’s thirst for knowledge of the outside world as well as their curiosity.
“I felt I was needed and would like to let them know more,” he said.
The summer vacations provide opportunities for Chinese college students to travel or do internships. Volunteer work has become more popular among students, especially in low-income countries.
Zhao enjoyed his time there and the chance to meet new friends and experience a different culture.
One young girl, who had an angelic smile, stayed in his memory. He called her “the temple girl”, and every day when she came to class, Zhao said that he was won over by her beautiful smile.
“My heart melted and I felt happy seeing her smile,” he said.
Duan Yichen has the same feeling. The 20-year-old sophafter Yang Yi, omore student, also from the University of International Business and Economics with a major in translation, completed a two-week voluntary stint in Galle, Sri Lanka in August.
Duan was touched by the sincerity and friendliness of the Sri Lankans. The Shandong-born student said she was used to living in big cities that can be impersonal. “But when I arrived at Galle, I was totally myself and managed to strike up conversations very easily.’’
Duan loved to talk with children but some were shy, at least initially. “I tried to play games with a three-year-old Sri Lankan girl, but she was very shy,” she said. However, two days the young girl was joining in the games and expressing herself.
“Even if what we do is small, I still hope our efforts help the children,” she said.
Market boom
Such voluntary work has become a popular choice for university students.
According to AIESEC, a student-launched global organization focused on overseas volunteer services and internships, more than 2,800 Chinese volunteers have gone to different countries in the past three years through its organization.
“It became increasingly obvious that Chinese university students prefer to do voluntary services in developing countries,” said Lian Kaibin, an AIESEC branch manager.
World Without Borders, a volunteer travel platform launched by college students in Beijing in 2014, has sent more than 5, 000 volunteers to different countries. In the last two years, the number of volunteers overseas doubled, according to the platform.
About 80 percent of the volunteers chose to go to low-income countries, said Wang Jiaqi, co-founder and CEO of World Without Borders.
Zhang Wenyuan, director of the student activities office at Tsinghua University, said more students in Tsinghua are signing up for such projects.
The university set up a mechanism for students to record their activities and overseas experiences.
“It’s a good way for students to connect with the international communities and improve their communication and learning abilities,” he said.
Countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative have also become a popular choice among students, according to Zhang. In 2018, 93 teams involving 1,322 Tsinghua students went overseas for social activities, to countries as varied as Israel, Kenya and Kazakhstan.
Safety Concern
Yang Yi, a teacher at a Beijing university youth league committee, said the overseas voluntary service is a valuable experience for university students.
“Most of the university students are not even familiar with China’s rural areas,” he said. “The overseas voluntary service will help them to broaden their vision and enrich their experiences.”
However, Yang also said safety issues need to be paid attention to when students go overseas.
“We will normally advise students to consider factors, such as living conditions and organization qualifications before they go abroad,” Yang said.
Zhao came back to school in early September and resumed his studies.
“I can feel my heart become stronger and broader after coming back from Cambodia,” he said.
“I hope to seek more opportunities when I am still young and have adventures in more different countries.”
Most of the university students are not even familiar with China’s rural areas. The overseas voluntary service will help them to broaden their vision and enrich their experiences.”
a teacher at a Beijing university youth league committee stint.