What were you grateful for this week?I am grateful that I was able to communicate some of my struggles with my host family this week.

What was the most challenging part of this week?We went and visited the Chinese agent in Shenzen and the told us some concerns our host families have. It was pretty humbling and hard because I had no way to defend or explain myself.

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week. I apologized to my host family for something I had no idea I even did. I think it helped them realize that I care about them.

Tell us about your week! 

This has been hands down one of the hardest weeks of my life. But there were some definite highs to it too! It was my birthday and some friends and I had breakfast saw toy story four and I even got gluten free cake. [My host family’s son] was very sweet and in his little Chinese voice would say “Happy happy birthday A!! You is happy?” Melts my heart every time. 

Later in the week I got to go to Shenzhen and Hong Kong with my friend S to renew my Visa. The hotel was SO nice and it was such a treat to have a break from my host family! We didn’t have a lot of time so we didn’t really get to see anything, but it was just fun being with S and going through the same things. 

Then my host family moved to a country home and I went with them!!! And by golly they live in a mansion and my host mom drives a Porsche. It’s yet another huge culture change with new people and experiences. There are all these unspoken rules that I break on accident all the time. I think it’s a culture shock for my host family too. Something that keeps shocking me is how there is a definitely class system, especially because my host family is very rich.