A day as a “Local Guide” for my family at ZJU!

Due to the epidemic, my brother's studies, and various other reasons, my dad and brother never made it to ZJU after I had been there for three years and was approaching my senior year. This summer, the family finally seized the opportunity to set foot on the ZJU campus, as the epidemic was basically under control, and my brother had finished his senior high school entrance examination.

A surprise visit!

After the examination week of this semester, I didn't go back home right away as usual, due to the various summer camp schedules in July. For me, it was unfortunate that I would miss a month of summer vacation at home.

As the calendar was about to turn the page to July 22, my lunar birthday, my mum suddenly sent a message to the family group, saying, “Ye Zi, how about we come to Hangzhou on your birthday? It’s just the weekend! If yes, you’re in charge of scheduling, please.” Stunned but delighted, I immediately thought of the scenes of the family sitting together around my birthday cake, my family members finally coming to visit ZJU, and so on. Overwhelmed by the happiness of seeing them and the determination to be a good guide, I replied, “Yes!” and started to book tickets, hotels, and entry to ZJU.

Reassure those who care about you^^

Like many students, from the moment the ZJU campus came into our view, I constantly shared information about the buildings we passed and the associated memories I had with my family.

I felt that one proactive thing my family members did was to ask about MY LIFE here at ZJU, ranging from questions like Where is your dormitory room? Can we visit? to Is it far from the dormitory to your classes?, rather than requesting me to take their pictures. The reason may have been that they cared most about whether the guide (me) was leading a comfortable and happy life here. In response, I shared more details about my daily routine.

What I wanted to do was to reduce the uncertainty of their impressions and put them more at ease. When communicating online, it would be a good idea to send family members more photos or videos about our daily life.

A few cherished moments

Press the shutter! A sweet moment of my dad putting a ginkgo leaf in my mum’s hair.^^

I brought my family members to the landmark, and I found myself once again immersed in reflection about President Chu Kochen's two questions and came to a new understanding.