BLCC and I: Here’s My Story（菲律宾·沈杰林）

Nothing could be more overwhelming than waking up every morning breathing Beijing’s atmosphere. Something to remind me that I have flown all the way from my own country all the way here. Something to thank the Lord each day for the opportunities that has come to all of us. This is not my first time in China, but it is in Beijing. Though I have been used to the Chinese culture, the whole experience here still gives me goose bumps. Who wouldn’t have goose bumps knowing you are in an amazing place and in a prestigious school? I would. Here’s my story.

It is heart-warming to see different people from different parts of the world coinciding in one place. In BLCC, there are tons of nationalities around though I don’t feel like I am a Filipino here. I also don’t consider much of my friends as Thais, Indonesians, or any other nationality because here in BLCC, we all belong to one world. Not counting where you came from, what color your skin is, or even your status in life. Where there is Unity, there is BLCC! And I believe Unity is what a world full of problems and chaos needs. BLCC is a step ahead for a better world.

Whose heart would not be moved seeing your classmates helping each other learn and advancing their skills in Chinese together? Here in BLCC, our students does not just learn, they share what they can share. They don’t leave behind a fellow member, it is either they go slowly or fall behind together. Witnessing such heart-warming acts from students in BLCC could make a person shed a tear in an overwhelming feeling.

The past several months here in BLCC has taught me things I never thought learning. Independency is definitely a part of that learning. A lesson that will forever be applied and could never be taken away from a student. Aside from making my Chinese better in this school, BLCC has brought me to appreciating the world even more. A world that probably has millions of wonders to explore. BLCC made me realize of how small I am to this world, and that I have a task to seek its beauty further. BLCC did not just teach me how to speak Chinese, BLCC taught me life. And that is way more special than what a school can actually give to its students.

Another heart-warming act that I am witnessing in BLCC is the total equality within the students. Nationality does not hinder us from making friends with others. I have seen of how well the white people and the darker people bond well in class. I have seen people respect those girls and boys who are in a relationship with the same gender. We are all equal anyways. All these different kinds of people mingle, talk, play and interact with each other every day yet no judgments are done. Total equality within all of us. Where there is Equality, there is BLCC! “平等!”

A student could not be an outstanding student without his or her teacher and adviser. I believe that the students here in BLCC are at their best in learning the education their teachers are providing them. Students that one day will be the ones in front of the class passing on the lessons taught to them by their teachers. In BLCC, our teachers are not just our teachers in class but are our friends. The bond that each teacher creates with his or her class has a very huge impact to a student’s way of learning. And that bond is something that the teachers in BLCC have created strong and firm with their students. I give them a round of applause and a salute for they have left a huge mark on each life of their students. Our teachers in BLCC will definitely be the people we will look back to when we finally graduate and become successful in our field.

Leaving behind loved ones is never easy. The past several months away from our family and friends from our own countries would sometimes keep my eyes tearing down tears. Two months was the only longest time I’ve been away from my family. Though it was hard to focus on my studies when I needed some motherly hug, I used those depressing moments into a motivation to study even harder for them. Strive harder to make my grades better and better for them to be really proud of me when I finally get back home. With my family, friends and my future as my motivation in this journey, every day passes by like a wink of an eye. Who knows, tomorrow would already be the day I’ll finally see them.

Leaving a place that has been attached to your heart so dearly is hard. It hurts, a lot. I can imagine the day I’ll be seeing my family way back in the Philippines again, but I can’t imagine the day I’ll be leaving BLCC. Even the thought of leaving already makes an eye teary. Who would want to leave when your heart has already settled in? I know every journey has its end. Though I know it is going to be painful to leave BLCC, our journey does not end here. BLCC was just a great start of it all. We all still have a long journey to go.

BLCC will definitely be in our hearts forever. BLCC has left a huge mark on each of our lives. A mark that will forever be kept and treasured. BLCC, as simple as four letters, yet its meaning and impact on each one of us is very huge. B-L-C-C, forever we will be thankful for and forever will be in our hearts!

I study in BLCC and I’m proud of it!