From Chinatown to China!

Ciera Davis Start Date: May 5, 2018 - End Date: Sep 4, 2018
  • Beijing, China

My Travel Story

by: Ciera Davis Start Date: May 5, 2018 - End Date: Sep 4, 2018
 Have you ever felt connected to a place that you have never been to before? Well, I have and I believe the moment to go is now. Ever since I was a little girl my connection to China and chinese culture has been one that I cannot explain. In middle school I had he priviledge of choosing a foreign language to enroll in at the high school nearby and Mandarin was my top pick. Unfortunately, I moved  a few months later, but in that short period of time I had immersed myself into the culture and my desire to see the place grew. Fast-forward four years later, and that opportunity had come. My family and I moved to South Korea, the closest I would ever be to my dream destination. While both countries have their differences, I could see some similarities and enjoyed the experience Korea has provided me. However, at the same time I knew that I could not just accept this as my final destination; therefore, I took control and planned out my trip to China. I worked whenever the opportunity came: babysitting, bagging groceries, even wearing a mickey mouse costume for a birthday party. Soon enough, with the money I saved I was able to buy a visa for China. Now, my next goal is to be able to save and buy the necessary items for the trip. This is where you guys come in. This year I have not been able to make money as much as before, pushing my dream further away from becoming a reality. This summer, I will be returning to Korea to visit my family and see this as the perfect opportunity to attempt and make my dream a reality. The plane ticket would be significantly cheaper as opposed to me flying from the States and going while its warm outside is a major plus. While there, I plan on visiting the major atttractions such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the site of the Olympics, but I also intend on doing other things such as interacting with the locals, bartering at the markets, and overall just having a good time.
  • Beijing, China