2023 No Boundaries Trip to Guilin

On the 11th of November, I embarked on an adventure like I’ve never had before with my friends to Guilin, a city that will always hold a special place in my heart and gave me an incredible experience. It felt like a dream come true;a movie with a happy ending. During the trip, I got to know my classmates and made new friends from different year groups. We had a great time together, creating unforgettable memories and helping each other whenever needed. My goal on this trip was not to be involved with social media and instead  spend quality time with friends and make lasting memories.

 Guilin was a peaceful place that perfectly balanced the calmness of the countryside with bustling city markets. We explored beautiful hiking trails, saw endless stretches of mountains under rainy skies, visited enchanting landmarks like the sun and the moon towers, magnificent caves, and mountains, and admired the beautiful rivers that flowed through the city. It was the perfect place for our first and last no boundaries trip. Although we faced some difficulties, such as being unable to communicate fluently with the locals due to the language barrier and experiencing some amusing reactions from people in the city because of our appearance, we still had an incredible time. I will always cherish the memories of this trip with my friends.

The first day of the trip was the one I remember very clearly. We started off with a meeting at the Hong Kong West Kowloon station and hopped on the train on time. As the train travelled through different landscapes, I watched the world go by outside the window at 278 km/hr. One moment you could see cityscapes full of skyscrapers and buildings, and the next it was vast stretches of countryside with rolling hills, fields of crops, and farm animals grazing. As we approached Guilin, everyone was in awe of the magnificent view of the mountains we had heard so much about. They looked down on us while we pulled out our phones to capture the beauty of the landscape. The chilly city of Guilin had the perfect sweater weather. 

Tired and excited, all of us met with our hosts from the Chinese Language Institute (CLI) and we set out on a bus ride to our accommodations. The city was calm and it felt strangely like home. But then, we arrived at the centre and we were hit with the fact that we will have to carry out 15kg bags up five floors :0. Surprisingly enough, we all became Wonder Woman and picked those bags up and started. Those stairs felt like they were never ending. Did our bodies ache after that? Yes, but it led us to the homely rooftop from which we could see a perfect view of the neighbourhood. 

A perk of staying at the centre is that we weren't living with other tourists, but rather with exchange students at the centre who were really nice to us. As nighttime approached,  we were all starving and so we walked to a nearby restaurant through the streets to our welcome dinner hosted by the trip partners and the principal of Xiaoqingsong. The dinner was phenomenal and still remains on top of the list of all meals we had. 

During the trip we had three days of volunteering at the Xiaoqingsong Children’s Growth Promotion Center. On the first day, we visited the homes of  students from the centre. We were divided into pairs, with one member who was fluent in Mandarin and the other who was less experienced with the language. An interactive demonstration was given to us prior to the visits, involving the teachers and support staff who guided us through the visits. We learnt activities we could use to engage  with the children, to build a foundation for a more personal relationship with them in the upcoming days. 

It was crucial to respect the families' privacy and carry a welcoming, nonjudgmental energy with us throughout the visits. This gave us the opportunity to see how the students behaved in their own homes. We observed routines, sensory cues, and how external elements might impact their health and education. I was paired with Kacee and we had a great time visiting Tang, a really nice 15 year old diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Listening to his family members telling us why they wanted to engage him in different activities and send him to a good school was very heartwarming and also made me realise the importance of family bonding. 

After lunch, we also had a dumpling making and pottery activity with him and other kids from the centre, which was also very fun and engaging. As the night approached the children left. My friends and I had a great evening under the stars while gathered around the roaring bonfire. We huddled close to the fire, our faces glowing in its flickering light, and felt its warmth engulf us. There was a cosy, adventurous vibe to the air, laden with the aroma of burning wood. Over the flames, marshmallows skewered on broken chopsticks turned a lovely golden brown. Watching them roast made us chuckle. There, among friends and the breathtaking scenery, I came to understand the value of shared memories and the strong relationships they can form. This was one of the core memories I will never forget. 

Volunteering at the growth center was next on our itinerary. The staff made me feel really welcome when I arrived at the centre and showed me around the kids and their families. Seeing the staff's commitment to and compassion for these kids warmed my heart. The centre offered a structured curriculum that was made to cater to the individual needs of every child, emphasising social skills, communication abilities, and fine motor skills. As a volunteer, my job was to help the staff members with different tasks. 

I took part in interactive play sessions where I engaged kids in educational activities, arts and crafts projects, and games based on sensory stimuli. It was incredible to watch them advance as they acquired new abilities and improved their communication skills. The kid I was working with was so cute. When she first saw me she was so in awe she could only say one thing. “WOAHH”. All our conversations were based on that one and only word. We called her Pinkie because she always wore pink clothing. Connecting with her was one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering. They had difficulty communicating, yet they were enthusiastic, joyful, and loving. I discovered how to communicate with them in a different way by using gestures, visual aids, and simplified words to establish a stronger connection. 

It was immensely satisfying to see them laugh and grin, and it served as a powerful reminder of the value of human connection. Watching her trust me, who she barely knew was really lovely and it made me feel a sense of achievement. Her tiny hands would grip onto mine and every time she said “woah” my heart melted. All in all, my time spent at the  centre was life-changing. In addition to learning more about developmental disorders  and the value of inclusive support networks, it gave me the opportunity to positively influence the lives of these amazing kids. It's an experience I will treasure and never forget. 

My experience hiking in Guangxi was spiritually fulfilling and will never fade from my memories. It was a voyage of discovery, making a connection with the natural world, and appreciating the wonders nature has to offer. Guilin's mountainous paths and stunning scenery provided a window into this amazing place, and I was incredibly thankful  to have been able to see it. I am so lucky to have done this with my friends as we now have so many memories to look back on. Yangshuo's Li River boating was a serene and enthralling experience. Beneath towering karst limestone mountains, tranquil  waterways mirrored the breathtaking scenery. The calming breeze and the soft stutter of the boat cutting through the water created a feeling of serenity. Seeing riverbank settlements and bamboo rafts gave the trip a genuine feel. 

Overall, this no boundaries trip has become a core high school experience for me, something I will never forget in life. It helped me grow in many different emotional ways and I am really grateful for this trip.

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