Bridging hearts beyond words: Ateneo students participate in immersion program in Sichuan, China

It all started with an email. The Ateneo de Manila University's Office of the Assistant Vice President Social Development, Environment, and Community Engagement invited students to participate in a University Immersion Program (UIP) in Sichuan, China. This program was a collaboration with Sichuan University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). I was immediately drawn to the program because the PolyU students were facilitating psychology classes for middle schoolers. However, once I confirmed my slot, I discovered that the course was actually titled "Preventive Medicine." This initially confused me until I realized that "preventive medicine" in this context meant promoting positivity and teaching children the importance of emotional well-being and health.

The program included subjects like Personal Development, Health, Science, English, and Homeroom. The PolyU students had a reward system in place for whenever a child got something right. Their approach was incredibly validating, and they took their professors' feedback to heart. It was heartwarming to see the children's eyes light up whenever they were praised or got excited about learning.

I was thrilled to be accepted into this program. Although it was not exactly what I had expected, it was still a fruitful experience. Communication was challenging, but my basic Mandarin skills and translation apps came to the rescue.

Despite the language barrier, I formed genuine friendships with people from different backgrounds. These friendships were incredibly important to me and became the highlight of my immersion experience. Through our interactions, I learned about Chengdu's culture and observed classes with middle schoolers who were incredibly sweet and eager to learn. The bonds I created with my peers were deep and meaningful, and they taught me the value of connection beyond spoken words.

I will never forget the memories I made in China. The experience reinforced the importance of mental health and emotional well-being, showing me firsthand how impactful these teachings can be on young minds. The friendships I made during this program showed me that, even though we may speak different languages, we can still connect and bridge hearts beyond words.

Photos courtesy of Kristen Anne M Sy