It was said that the youth are the future leaders of the world. But in order to ensure that our leaders effect a positive change, we must provide adequate education.  Knowledge and education are the most important things anyone can obtain. Using these abilities can make a difference and help the world become a peaceful place. I was fortunate enough to witness the positive nature of education, and its effects on those from the poor rural villages in China.

During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to travel to three major cities in China—Bejing, Baojing, and Shanghai with a group of students from Punahou School’s Wo International Center’s China Service Learning program. We spent two weeks in Baojing, China where we taught English to students from Baojing No. 1 Middle School. Each of us was assigned a group of seven students to teach during our stay. Although the students that I taught were the same ethnicity as me, we did not speak the same dialect of Chinese. Despite the communication barrier, I felt a deep connection with my students; an unspoken bond. We spent nights together trying to tell each other our life stories and connecting with each other on another level. The students spent most of their time in school, because their parents were hardly home. Our parents both had low paying jobs because they lacked education, and were forced to accept the jobs that they never planned to do.

After a couple of lesson plans I realized that they took their education very seriously, and for many, was their way out of a poor lifestyle. No matter what obstacles they faced, they never stopped striving, which inspired me to work just as hard. My students taught me a great lesson of appreciation. It does not matter what age or race we are, we share one thing in common, and that is a passion for education. The more we can educate, the more we can understand that we are all one global society. We are citizens of the world and must work toward common goals.

Throughout my entire life, education has been coveted as the most important tool to my success. I realize that it does not only serve as a gateway to my future, but also to the future of the world. I hope to be a part of the global effort by motivating others to seek knowledge through an adequate education. I was motivated by my parents and my students in China, and I want to inspire others to work hard and become successful. I learned to appreciate the education that I have, and use what I have to help others in need. Coming from a low-income family, I understand that anyone can achieve their goals and dreams; it just takes effort and perseverance.