See the World Differently, Speak Chinese: Diego’s First Summer in China at 14
He’s a 14-year-old student from Italy. It was his first time in Shanghai—and his first time traveling so far without his parents.
A few summer weeks of Chinese class turned into a quiet but meaningful step toward independence, confidence, and seeing the world differently.
First time in Shanghai. First time without parents.
At 14, Diego had already been learning Chinese back home in Italy and was looking forward to taking it further.
What he hadn’t done yet was use it outside a classroom.
In 2025, he joined GoEast’s Mandarin summer program in Shanghai. It was his first time in the city—and the first time he had ever traveled abroad without his parents.
The excitement was real, but so was the unknown: a new language environment, new routines, and a new city.
Diego wasn’t alone in that leap. For his parents, it was also a moment of trust.
Even so, they never felt far from him. Through regular updates, photos, and messages from the GoEast team, they could follow his days almost in real time.
It didn’t feel like watching from a distance—it felt like being quietly present as he grew into the experience.
From classroom interest to real-life Chinese
Before coming to Shanghai, Diego had studied Chinese in Italy and genuinely enjoyed it. But everything had happened inside a familiar classroom:
clear boundaries, clear routines, and the safety of practicing only with classmates and teachers.
Shanghai changed that.
Each day, Diego attended Chinese classes where learning went beyond memorizing words. He practiced speaking, tried new expressions,
and joined discussions with classmates. Mistakes were part of the process—and so was confidence.
Outside the classroom, Chinese became part of daily life in small but meaningful ways. He ordered bubble tea in Mandarin, interviewed teachers,
and spoke with people he met on the street—connecting what he learned in class with real moments.
| By the end of the program, the change was obvious: Diego wasn’t waiting to “be ready” to speak Chinese anymore—he was using it. |
Back home in Italy, he started visiting Chinese shops and speaking with locals—without hesitation.
For a 14-year-old, that shift didn’t come from pressure or exams. It came from using the language naturally, again and again.
Learning China by living in it
Chinese culture wasn’t something Diego only studied during the program—it surrounded him.
Outside of class, his days were filled with shared experiences: walking through busy streets, visiting places like People’s Square,
exploring temples, practicing Kung Fu, and trying different local foods together with his group.
What stayed with him most wasn’t any single landmark. It was the feeling of everyday life:
meals shared with classmates, afternoons spent laughing, and cultural activities that felt fun rather than forced.
As his mother later shared, Diego came home talking about everything—from mornings at school to afternoons out,
from Kung Fu practice to simply sitting down and eating together. Even the program’s final visit to Disneyland blended seamlessly into the rhythm of the trip:
learning, exploring, and enjoying himself all happened at the same time.
Step by step, Chinese culture became familiar—not distant or intimidating, but something he felt comfortable inside.
A birthday far from home — but not alone
Diego’s birthday fell during the program, thousands of kilometers away from home. For his parents, this was the moment they felt the distance most.
They wished they could be there with him.
Before the trip, Diego’s mother shared one small hope with the team: that his birthday wouldn’t pass unnoticed.
On the morning of his birthday, Diego didn’t expect anything special. But on the bus, a handwritten birthday card was waiting for him.
His classmates gathered around and sang. It was simple, warm, and genuine.
That evening, during dinner at a Yunnan restaurant, the celebration continued. A cake appeared, the group sang again, photos were taken,
and messages were sent home. Every moment was shared with his parents—almost as if they were there too.
| For Diego’s mother, it wasn’t just about the birthday. It was about seeing how carefully her son was looked after—not only in class, but in the small, human moments that mattered. |
A summer that quietly changed everything
For Diego, this summer wasn’t just a trip. It was a step toward independence.
He practiced Chinese in real situations, learned how to navigate a new environment, and grew comfortable speaking up—even far from home.
Friendships formed naturally, confidence followed, and each day added something new.
For his parents, the experience brought reassurance. Through constant communication and care from the team,
they never felt disconnected. They watched their son mature, gain confidence, and come home full of stories.
| “Diego’s summer in China was unforgettable,” his mother said. “He returned home excited, confident, and full of stories. As parents, we felt reassured, happy, and deeply grateful that he was able to have this experience.” |
Sometimes, a few summer weeks are enough to change how a young person sees the world—and how they see themselves.
