In August 2019, I embarked on an incredible journey to a summer camp in China organized by the Kongzi Institute and Beijing Foreign Studies University. The program united participants from various Kongzi Institutes across Europe, creating a diverse and vibrant community. Our adventure began with a late-evening flight from Malaysia on Malaysia Airlines, landing in Beijing in the early hours of the morning. Settling into our accommodations within North China University of Technology, we were introduced to the nuances of Chinese cuisine at a nearby Halal canteen. The absence of "Halal" signage was replaced by the term "Qing Zhen," signifying the food's Halal status. It was a flavorful introduction to the cultural mosaic we were about to explore. The following day commenced with language assessments at the International School campus, determining our Mandarin proficiency levels. Placed in Level 6, I eagerly embraced a week packed with Mandarin language courses and ...