Youfangqin Wang 

During my visit to the local school, I delivered a presentation on the Chinese story of the “Twelve Zodiac Animals.” I explained how and why the twelve animals are ordered as they are, introducing each creature in turn. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing these engaging tales—seeing the children’s eyes light up as they connected with a centuries-old legend felt like genuine cultural exchange. Their enthusiasm and questions—one child even asked whether learning Chinese is difficult—suggested that this brief encounter might open a whole new world of language and culture for them.

As an international student, reading a story in Chinese to a group of local children was a truly magical experience. It felt less like a performance and more like a collision and blending of cultures: I was bringing a piece of my heritage to a place thousands of miles away, and they responded with boundless curiosity. I became acutely aware of the differences in understanding between myself and the children—differences born of age, of lived experience, and of linguistic background. For adults, the zodiac story may be straightforward, but the children’s imaginative questions—Why are there exactly twelve animals? Why must the mouse call the cat to wake up before the race?—reminded me of the wonder and innocence that lie at the heart of every tale.

Anna Sokolovskaya 

Hello everyone! My name is Anna, or Anya as they call me at home. I come from Belarus - a compact landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. Known for its forests, folklore, and rich history at the crossroads of Europe, Belarus is a place I carry in my heart, even though I currently cannot return there.

Like many Belarusians abroad, I find it deeply important to preserve and share our language and culture, especially in times when our homeland is often in the news for difficult reasons. Nevertheless, I continue to love and celebrate the Belarusian language and traditions that shape who I am.