Microcampus doesn't shape character. It reveals it. I came to Microcampus to step out of my comfort zone and the city bubble of Shanghai. The adversity and struggles we have been through together made us each a stronger individual. We discovered ourselves along the way and what we can possibly achieve. 

Perseverance and grit. In times of challenges we stood up for each other, encouraged each other to go on. The bond of the Kryptonite group cannot be created otherwise and it will forever stay as a chapter of our 8th grade life that we all share. 

The reason I went to Microcampus is because I'm leaving this year and I wanted to experience the real China and wanted to step outside of my comfort zone. It pushed me to my limits and I've tried many new things that benefited me in many ways. I learned to talk to adults and have a serious conversation. I have learned to stay focused while working and be responsible. It has been a great experience.

The reason I had before I came to Microcampus is that I wanted to see the world and to be in something I will not forget. This has changed in the time that I have spent in the program. For starters I saw that Xizhou is not just a place but it is a community that needed to be connected with.

Today was the day we had the Jammie Awards. 

Everybody was assembled at the courtyard, ready for the night of glitz and glamour, dressed in pajamas. 

The Jammie Awards were hosted at the room of Haley, Livia and Jenny, by Mr. T and Ms. Mai. They gave out awards to everyone in Microcampus; no one was left out and it was surely a night of what we were promised- an absolutely glamourous event!

She was not able to come to the showing of the video, but she came to Bao Chen Fu and we showed her the video, which I think she liked. Since that when we showed her the video, she was smiling and mouthing what she said. She was really happy when we gave her the DVD and visited her. I think she enjoyed being on the movie and talking with us, I did too. I hope that she has a happy future and remembers us even after we leave.

I came to Microcampus to experience personal growth and to connect with the local people out here in the village. I came to interact with the locals and make meaningful connections with them. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and to experience China outside of the bubble, to enjoy the beautiful scenery and to taste the delicious food. To be able to improve my Chinese speaking skills and to constantly use it daily.

Today Mr. T, Evy and Cecily started playing Hacky Sack, and it was really funny. Cecily kept on trying new kicks and having a lot of fun. I wished that I could join but I had too much work to do. I grew really close to Evy and Cecily during the trip, they helped us a lot with inquiry and actually have a smooth transition in and out of Xizhou. I am proud to be one of the 16 students coming on Microcmapus and meeting so many new and awesome people. I wish that Evy would visit us when she visits shanghai. 

Tonight was a night of glitz, glamour, and glitz. It was the night of the Jammies, hosted by our dashing Wink. We went into one of the upstairs rooms and cuddled up in our comfy pajamas. Wink started listed the awards one by one, and each one of us went “on stage” and gave a speech. I won the “Step Up Award”, which is an award for confidence, and stepping up to do something people usually wouldn’t do. In the end, there were laughs and cries, and then it suddenly hit every one of us that the last full day of Microcampus had ended.

Today was the day when we started wrapping up and checking the final things off the Microcampus list. We finished the Service Learning and Inquiry Project videos, and prepared for the next day’s presentation. It was a busy day, and we all were tired at the end. It was worth it, though, because all of our projects came out just as we wanted them. I ended the day with a big smile on my face and a confidence in tomorrow.