Volunteer is a real class act

The magic, however, wasn't just in test scores. It was in the bonds Wang built.

Many students invite her to the New Year celebrations, hoping to take her to their homes for dinners, and share their hopes and dreams.

Some, inspired by her presence, have set their sights on ambitious goals. Yi, also a passionate dancer, decided after heartfelt talks with Wang that she wants to apply to the Beijing Dance Academy. She now trains late into the night, determined to chase that dream.

Not all stories are simple. Some students from the school are dealing with mental health issues. A student surnamed Zhou recently collapsed due to her illness. Wang visited her at the hospital and learned about her family's struggles — her father passed away during the pandemic and her mother now supports two daughters alone by running a small stall — and has since made a point to quietly offer companionship and encouragement whenever possible.

"I truly hope she can get better," Wang says softly.

Wang is not alone in this mission. She maintains close communication with staff members and receives support from them.

Miao Dongqing, secretary of the Communist Youth League Committee at UIBE, says the project aims to combine educational support with "relay-style" volunteerism, where each year's volunteers continue and expand on the work of their predecessors. UIBE sends its student volunteers to places like Yunnan, Gansu province, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and Guizhou province, offering not only teaching help but also fresh cultural and educational perspectives to schools.

Miao describes how the organization supports the volunteers from afar — providing resources, coordinating with Yunnan's partners, and maintaining a strong communication line so the volunteers never feel abandoned. "They are young, but they carry enormous responsibility," Miao says. "We see our role as giving them a strong support network so they can focus on making the biggest difference."

"Our mission is not only to send people, but to ensure they are well prepared — mentally, emotionally, and professionally," Miao says. "They are going to be a bridge between the urban and rural, and the east and west."

Miao adds that these students are deeply committed. They go on to become part of the community, contributing their energy, ideas and creativity.

As Wang wraps up her year in Mengla, her journey is far from over. She will soon begin graduate studies in international Chinese language education, with hopes of someday teaching overseas, sharing the Chinese language and traditional culture across borders.

For Miao, watching volunteers like Wang blossom reinforces the value of the program. "The beauty of this work is that it's never one-way," she says. "The volunteers give, but they also receive. The students grow, but the teachers grow too. It's a mutual journey of discovery."

As Wang reflects on her experience, one word comes to mind: warmth. "I want to be a teacher with warmth, with depth. And here, I found that the warmth goes both ways. The more I gave, the more I was embraced. That's the real power of volunteer teaching."

"I hope I can keep my original aspiration," she says. "To move forward steadily, stay true to my ideals, and dedicate my youth to the dream of helping others."