Starting my pilgrimage at Zhejiang University

It rains a lot in Hangzhou. I was on my bike, left hand holding an umbrella, elbowing my way to the next teaching building, stumbling and staggering. Quite embarrassed and ungraceful, I thought when riding the bike uphill. But as I shuttled in the rain, it suddenly occurred to me that all these, say, my college life, are just like an arduous yet promising journey, or, a pilgrimage.

I set forth with a thirst for knowledge that Zhejiang University was eager to quench. The rigorous academic environment, coupled with the diverse array of disciplines, ignited a fire within me. I delved into the realms of science, literature and philosophy, each subject revealing new facets of awe and wonder. The faculty, with their erudite wisdom, became my guides, and the library, my sanctuary. Here, I learned the value of hard work and the joy of intellectual exploration.

Yet, the path was not without its rapids. The pressure to excel was immense, and the fear of failure a constant companion. However, with each challenge, I discovered my resilience. I learned to embrace failure not as a setback but as a stepping stone, each misstep leading to a deeper understanding and a stronger resolve.

I also find many pilgrims along the way. The camaraderie with fellow students, the cultural exchanges, and the self-reflection during late-night discussions shaped my character. I learned to listen, to empathize, and to lead. The university was not just teaching me how to think. It was teaching me how to be.

What makes this pilgrimage so special is that the destinations vary for different pilgrims. Some left school and established their own business after four years, some turned what they majored at college into a life-long cause of researching, and some geared so drastically that they stepped up on a path that few had imagined that they would take.

So here lies the charisma of the pilgrimage: you always have the opportunity to choose. On the path, free are your feet, hands and mind.

You can choose to munch on a piece of bread in a five-minute break, or to spend several hours enjoying a leisurely and warm meal. You can choose to have a nice sleep till you wake up naturally, or to have a one-day reading period for tons of papers before the finals. You can also choose to join all kinds of associations and clubs, or spare most of your after-class time for solitude.

Those pilgrims, who go to Jerusalem on their knees, do have a strong belief, for God. So should we, but for future, for people. I envision a career where I can continue to use language to explore the mysteries of our world, to illustrate, to explain, to communicate, to empathize.

My time at Zhejiang University has been a symphony of experiences—a melody of learning, a rhythm of challenges, and a harmony of growth. My pilgrimage is not just about my time at Zhejiang University. It is the story of a soul that has been awakened, a mind that has been expanded, and a dreamer who is ready to take flight.

I am sure I will keep going anyway.