Last night I received an invitation to return to China. To invite in Mandarin is 邀请, and it can be used in many different ways — such as inviting someone to a party or to a classy dinner. It can also be used to invite you to return to a place you’ve been thinking about a lot.
The invite was given to me by an academic official I got to know during my visit to China last year. He was a face I saw regularly whenever it was time to get interviewed by the media. Journalists would come in with their cameras, and there he was — ready to help out and make sure my words were collected. This even included the time I nervously delivered a speech in front of Chinese government officials.
His texts encouraged me to apply for a new competition that was going to start soon. At first, I was taken back. The competition focuses on developing sustainable solutions to modern political problems. I know little about STEM, but my attention was captured by one of the project options. The project outlined the hopes of several parties to develop a robot that supports families during the challenges of early childhood. The description drew me in as I have worked with children of all ages. I would be able to share my wealth of knowledge pertaining to childhood development!
I told him I would talk to my parents about going back to China. Even though I am old enough to make these types of decisions on my own, I always value the opinions of my parents. They have always been the ones to send me off, making sure I get to my destination safe and sound.
The pressure to be a representative of Muscatine and the US would be alleviated by the fact that I’ve done this before. I learned a lot during my first visit to China, and this would give me the chance to show off everything I’ve learned. I had a conversation with someone recently about my position as someone from Muscatine.
His words of wisdom pushed me to take every opportunity I had to go to China. I already have the ability to walk into any room and own it with my personality. Why not apply it to being a diplomat? We all know I love to play socialite. Parties, fancy cocktails, suits, speeches, afters.
It would be an honor to return to China. If chosen, all of my expenses would be paid. I also wouldn’t have to worry about a visa letting me into China because mine is good for ten years. All the perks of visiting China would be unlocked again. The cost of living is considerably lower compared to NYC. You can survive on 100 yuan (15 dollars) a week. My friends would come to Beijing, and we would clink our glasses at a spot overlooking the city’s skyline.
Here’s to that 邀请