EXCHANGE STORY from HANGZHOU, CHINA

my new life just begun

I flight from Surabaya to Hangzhou on 3rd of July 2012 at 8am, and I arrived in Hangzhou at 11.30pm. It was so nice because my buddy (Christian Gao) pick me up at Xiaoshan Airport (Hangzhou International Airport). We went to Zhejiang University directly, but we have dinner first at BBQ place. This was my first food since I arrived in Hangzhou, and the taste was so delicious. After that, we went to hostel that Chris booked for me and my friend Wulan. We toke a bath, and then slept. 4th of July, my second day in Hangzhou. I got training from OC Aiesec-ZJU (Nina, Summer, Kivi, Sally, Curtis, Xmen, and Chris). I got schedule for Summer Camp, Basic Chinese Language, Chinese Culture, etc. I met all of my team, there are Nitu from UK, Martin and Market from Czech, Bill from Brazil, Silje from Norway, Sybilla from Poland, Jeffry and Wulan from Indonesia, Chen, Lim, Sze Lee and Sue Yee from Malaysia. It was so nice to meet them . 5th of July, we moved to Shulan Middle School for Summer Camp. We lived at school dorm, and Nitu and Wulan was my roommate. We started our Summer Camp at 9th of July in the afternoon because we had Opening Ceremony in the morning, and we had Opening Ceremony in 5stars Hotel . In that moment, I weard Indonesian Traditional Dress (Kebaya) , I explained about Indonesia and sang Indonesian Song. All of them were surprised when I showed Indonesia Currency, and they said Wow.. A lof of zero.. Big money.. When I heard that, I proud to be Indonesian . First Summer Camp was only one week for grade 2. My first day taught it was so nice. When I came to my class, my student gave me a glass of water and toke chair for me. I taught my class with Wulan and Chris. I introduced my self with Chinese Language and they were surprised because I could speak Chinese even just a little. I gave Indonesian name to all my student it made me easy to call them and all of them were glad to have Indonesian name. Everday, I taught them English, sometime I taught them Indonesian Language. I thought, only 1 sentence that they always remember is Aku Cinta Kamu. In the end of first Summer Camp, we have amazing race for EP and students. In this game, we learned how to work in team, how to communication with other people even we have different language. And, it was the real amazing game. Beside that, we have singing and lipdub competition for student. It was so hard to taught my students to sing, because they have to sing English song. But, I was so happy because my students could learn English song in 4days. Second Summer Camp for grade 1. I taught my class with Tracy, new OC from Aiesec ZJU. This Summer Camp more harder than first. We have to taught for 2weeks. My first day in my class was so disappointed. When I asked Whats your name? one by one, just 5students who can answered. But, Summer Camp must go on. I taught my students with more patient, slow but sure . We always have competition for student everyweek. And, we have singing, lipdub, dancing competition, and of course amazing race. My students made me

surprised because they sang more beautiful than grade 2. In the last day, I taught them Indonesian song (Indonesia Raya). They gave me a gift and letter, they wrote Thank you teacher.. Nice to meet you.. Enjoy your day in China, and please come to China again someday . This was my first summer, there is no summer in Indonesia because everyday is warm . Be volunteer made me more patient because I learned how to manage my class and my team. More responsible and brave because we worked at team from different countries, different cultures, and different peoples. I learned how to communication with other peoples from a whole world. And, of course improve my English. So far, I love my Summer Camp. I met peoples from a whole world, they were more than friend for me. Its my new family . We lived together, we shared sadness and happiness together. And, we call our team is Legendary EPs and OCs. Thank you so much Aiesec . From this project I can improve my English, go aboard, feel summer, meet peoples from a whole world, got new languages, new cultures, networking, and of course I have new family .

Hangzhou, China by Elvin