My name is Ella, and I’m a third-year Art History major at ɬ. In May 2025, I had the immense privilege of participating in the Li Ka Shing Arts Initiative Intensive Chinese Language Program for a second time. As a repeat participant, I was in the unique position of being already familiar with a place so far from home and getting to experience it through new eyes. Though my improved Mandarin level after another year of studying at ɬ made a huge difference in my ability to engage with a new culture and environment, it was ultimately the people who made this month so memorable.
The Shantou University language professors were incredibly hardworking in their efforts to engage us students. They were flexible to our different language levels and ensured that we learned about Chinese culture alongside language skills. In their classes, I became familiar with history, cuisine, and etiquette from all across the country - we were even taught how to identify good phone plan deals. The Shantou University and ɬ staff did the thankless behind-the-scenes work of getting a gaggle of excited and easily distracted students all across the Chaoshan region, always making sure that we were happy, safe, and supported in our learning. The Shantou University students who volunteered to be our tutors quickly became our friends, teachers, and guides into a new world filled with hot-pot restaurants, karaoke, and, in my case, frantic taxi rides all across the city in search of a missing wallet. With their humour, energy, and abundance of patience, they made us feel comfortable taking on new challenges. There was nothing more rewarding than a tutor remarking in surprise - “Oh! You sounded really natural there!” Finally, each ɬ student took the initiative to bring their unique interests and talents to the group, from leading yoga and ab workouts to explaining the intricacies of Buddhist history and culture.
All of my most treasured memories are the conversations I had with these people. During mildly air-conditioned bus rides, over delicately poured cups of tea, and on long walks through the city at night (occasionally stopping to take photos of cats, lizards, frogs, and massive snails), my views of myself, the world, and my relationships were challenged. Whether it was talking about fashion, music, politics, or what to do with ourselves, I’m grateful to everyone who generously offered pieces of their own perspective.
It is no surprise, then, that the largest challenge this year was saying goodbye. The first time I left Shantou, I had no idea how much I would miss the people there. This time, I knew what it meant to be oceans apart from people you care about. So as our bus pulled away from the Academic House parking lot and our tutors - now friends - climbed the fence to wave goodbye, I understood how unique and lucky the circumstances were for us to have crossed paths.
In the future, I hope to continue the project that the Li Ka Shing Arts Initiative started in my own way. I would never have learned so much about myself and the world had I not gotten acquainted with this wonderful bunch of people. Bridging the gap between countries and cultures not only provided me with new perspectives and friendships but also offered a hopeful vision for the future, where people united in empathy, respect, and curiosity work together to create a kinder world.