The Little Things

Although my time at CET Beijing had its highs and lows, I found appreciation for the friends I made and the experiences we shared. Initially, making friends at CET felt very difficult. Most students came from Yale, and many already knew each other from beforehand. I felt slightly intimidated by this, but I tried my best to get to know everyone and enjoy my time while I was there. By the end of the program, I found friends in my teachers, my RAs, and even my peers who I had initially been intimidated by. Whether it was playing a game of Mahjong or inviting someone along to eat Malatang with me, I felt a sense of community with those around me.

It was hard not to compare myself with my classmates, who seemed to only have highs and never lows. To see what my peers had around me, and wonder why I was struggling to achieve the same things. But in my last few weeks in China, I realized that I had everything around me that I needed. I had a few good friends who cared about me, teachers who were genuinely invested in my improvement, and dozens of everyday experiences that brought me joy. Reflecting on my program, I realized it was the little things that mattered at the end of the day.