Before leaving for Microcampus we were asked to think about why we wanted to go to Microcampus. This was also a part of the application proces. Now we are asked to reflect on why we came to Microcampus. From when I applied to Microcampus about three months to about five weeks ago at the lock in. However, this was not a significant change as I had not been to Xizhou. At the lock in, I said that I was going to Microcampus because I wanted to prove that I was responsible enough to handle this experience and I felt like I had not been given that oppertunity in the past. I also said that I wanted to experience the culture in a way that I had not before. 

Now that I am practically finished with Microcampus, I have different ideas on why I came. I realize that while I did come to Microcampus for the freedom and to prove how responsible I am, but more than anything else, I came to Microcampus to learn.  Over the course of the past month, I have learned more than I would in any regular school year. I have learned both random facts and also lofe skills. I have learned about diligence and leadership. I have learned about rainshadowning and the number one and two industries in Yunnan and how they interact. In addition, I have learned more about beliefs in Xizhou than I ever could have imagined. While learning, I talked to many local experts, and this taught me about culture and local life. I also attended a funeral, in which I learned about funeral precessions, and I got to know a lot of people. This not only taugh me about culture, but also how things really are. 

It amazes me that in my response on my application that I did not include that I wanted to learn. It amazes me even more that during the lock-in I did not even mention this. I think that this has to do with the fact that no matter how hard you try, you really cannot imagine the Microcampus experiencd before hand. It is such a unique experience that you do not know what youi are goin to gain from it before you actually get there. 

I am so happy that I got the chance to learn all that I did from Microcampus, and that I took the oppertunity and absorbed everything that I could. 

And of course, the food was pretty good too.