Last Updated on June 26, 2024
“What’s the most surreal experience you’ve ever had?” -The Daily Post
I would probably have to say the most surreal experience I ever had was two summers ago when I was volunteering with the Inter-Exchange Foundation for the first time at the age of 15. I led a tour of one hundred students from Changzhou, China throughout the Upper East Coast over seven days. It was unbelievable. I was just some ordinary beyond basic white kid except wherever I walked, a line of fifty Chinese students would be following right behind me as if we were trying to form a long centipede or something. I’m talking everywhere too: The middle of New York City. The ferry through Niagara Falls. The city of Boston. Around the Liberty Bell. Everywhere.
OH, AND DID I MENTION OUR BUS FORGOT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF WASHINGTON DC RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE?
OH, AND WE ATE AT ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT CHINESE BUFFETS FOR SEVEN DAYS IN A ROW: LUNCH AND DINNER.
OH, AND ONE NIGHT, THE HOTEL HAD A ROOM FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT ME SO I HAD TO TAKE A SKETCHY VAN TO A NEIGHBORING HOTEL BY MYSELF.
Wow, writing this response has made me realize that I need to make a post about the IEF Camp and all of the crazy things that took place at it! Hahaha
My Surreal Experience with the Inter-Exchange Foundation: A Journey I’ll Never Forget
I would probably have to say the most surreal experience I ever had was two summers ago when I was volunteering with the Inter-Exchange Foundation for the first time at the age of 15. Reflecting on it now, I realize just how extraordinary and unforgettable those seven days were. Leading a tour of one hundred students from Changzhou, China throughout the Upper East Coast was beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
A Teen Leader of a Hundred Students
Imagine this: I was just an ordinary, beyond-basic white kid, yet wherever I walked, a line of fifty Chinese students would follow right behind me as if we were trying to form a long centipede or something. And I’m not just talking about some isolated area; this was everywhere. The middle of New York City, the ferry through Niagara Falls, the city of Boston, around the Liberty Bell—everywhere. It felt like I was the Pied Piper of high school tours, leading this group through some of the most iconic landmarks in America.
Lost in Washington DC
OH, AND DID I MENTION OUR BUS FORGOT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF WASHINGTON DC RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE? Yes, you read that correctly. One moment, I was basking in the historical significance of the White House, and the next, I was standing alone, realizing that the bus had left without me. The wave of panic that hit me was quickly overshadowed by the surreal absurdity of the situation. Here I was, a 15-year-old leading a group from China, stranded in one of the most secure and significant locations in the country. Fortunately, a kind passerby helped me contact the group, and I was soon reunited with my students. But that moment of standing alone in front of the White House will forever be etched in my memory.
Culinary Overload
OH, AND WE ATE AT ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT CHINESE BUFFETS FOR SEVEN DAYS IN A ROW: LUNCH AND DINNER. Now, I love Chinese food as much as the next person, but this was an overload even for me. By day three, I could predict exactly what each buffet would offer. The initial excitement of endless food quickly turned into a culinary endurance test. Each meal became a blend of familiar flavors and a game of how many egg rolls one could consume before feeling like a stuffed dumpling.
The Hotel Fiasco
OH, AND ONE NIGHT, THE HOTEL HAD A ROOM FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT ME SO I HAD TO TAKE A SKETCHY VAN TO A NEIGHBORING HOTEL BY MYSELF. This was probably the most nerve-wracking part of the trip. After a long day of touring, all I wanted was to crash in my bed, only to find out there was no room for me. The hotel arranged for a van to take me to another hotel, and let’s just say, the ride felt like something out of a thriller movie. But in the end, I made it safely to a neighboring hotel, and the experience became another bizarre chapter in my already surreal journey.
Reflecting on the Adventure
Writing this post has made me realize just how wild and unforgettable my experience with the Inter-Exchange Foundation was. It was a mix of leadership challenges, cultural immersion, and a series of unexpected events that kept me on my toes. From leading a centipede-like line of students through bustling cities to navigating mishaps like being left behind and enduring a food marathon, every moment was a learning experience.
Looking Forward
As I reminisce about this adventure, I can’t help but feel excited about the future of my blog. Sharing these stories is just the beginning, and I hope to continue documenting my journeys and experiences. Let’s see how this goes! My dream is to keep this blog alive and thriving for years to come. I hope this post is still online 10 years from now, serving as a testament to the beginning of a wonderful adventure. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.
So here’s to more adventures, more stories, and never quitting—even when the bus leaves you behind in front of the White House!
