美国穿越之旅的启示：做最棒的自己！-新东方前途出国

    　　Day 29: Sunday, September 29, 2013

    　　Days left: 1

    　　Location: Boston, Massachusetts

    　　As we wrap up the month-long US ‘Vision on the Way’ road trip, it’s hard to believe how quickly time went by as we logged over 3,000 miles, traveled to 15 cities, and visited over 30 institutions, and met dozens of talented students and distinguished faculty and staff.

    　　For me, I can say without a doubt that it has been an incredible adventure. More than just returning home to U.S. soil, this past month has opened my eyes to the plethora of opportunities and experiences waiting to be tried and tested.

    　　Yet, an important part of this journey for me was the opportunity to share it with an excellent team of leaders and colleagues. It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to travel with nine colleagues across a nation. No matter how much you try to present yourself outwardly, with day after day of spending 12+ hours together, ultimately, your true self will begin to show. And, in many ways, this is where the bonding takes place, and you begin to find the place where you belong.

    　　We wrap up our trip in Boston, an apt location given its historical significance and as an education hub. This city is one of my favorite places in the U.S. For me, it became a starting point for when I started forming my purpose and my passion; essentially a part of my identity. It was where I started to grasp what it meant to start living for myself, but to strive to do it in a way that still respected those around me.

    　　As I spent the afternoon walking around Boston’s South End, and taking in the beautiful New England autumn weather, I came across this quote from the famed Irish writer and poet, Oscar Wilde:

    　　"Be Yourself; everyone else is already taken."

    　　I liken this road trip experience to what students will feel when they leave home for the first time, especially to travel abroad. Searching, seeking, balancing external and internal influences, finding a place, trying to locate a specific identity; this is an ongoing and sometimes an arduous journey.

    　　Kayaking on the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo taken by Chenggang Zhou.

    　　You realize that while it is difficult to change other people, you might find it harder to change yourself; to be something that you are not – something that you think society or your family wants you to become. In the end, my hypothesis is that you will come back to your core, your comfort zone, and while you may have learned a bit and challenged yourself, indeed it is truly difficult to be something that you are not.

    　　Whatever path you choose or choices you make. I think Mr. Wilde’s assessment is quite right. They are your decisions and your consequences.

    　　Thank you

    　　For the students we met along this journey, we wish you the best of luck. Your energy, passion, and fresh-faced eagerness are the envy of those of us who have been in your shoes and wish to be once again.

    　　To the administrators, faculty, and staff members that we have met and befriended, we thank you for your time, and energy for sharing your passionate stories, doing the work that you do, and for mentoring and coaching our students.

    　　To my colleagues, thank you for your energy, passion, patience, knowledge, and humor that have made this trip an unforgettable experience.

    　　A great and goofy bunch of people. From left to right: Shuhang Deng (邓曙航), Ming-Hao Shiao (萧明颢), Sidney Yu (俞仲秋), Sally Yan (闫晓哲), Zhi Wang (王执), Chenggang Zhou (周成刚). Not pictured: Tiffany Wang (王紫薇), David Qin (秦唯嘉), Amber Wang (王馨星), and Hao Cui (崔浩). Photo taken by Hao Cui.

    　　And importantly, to our Chinese students: as we return to China in the coming days, we bring back metaphorical suitcases filled with stories, testimonies, and illustrations of how amazing and diverse life and education in the U.S. can be. We hope that through these, you will be able to feel what we felt and see what we saw. Our hope is that we will only be that much more able to help you realize your dreams, and in the future, to meet and have you share your story with us!