broken image
broken image
  • Home
  • Who We Are 
    • Our Story
    • Our Board & Advisory Board
    • Our Students
    • Annual Reports
    • Media
  • Our Programs 
    • English Program
    • Women in Tech (WiT)
    • Professional Skills Development
    • Legacy
  • Get Involved 
    • Students
    • Volunteers
    • Support Us
    • Career
  • Partner With Us
  • Blog
  • …  
    • Home
    • Who We Are 
      • Our Story
      • Our Board & Advisory Board
      • Our Students
      • Annual Reports
      • Media
    • Our Programs 
      • English Program
      • Women in Tech (WiT)
      • Professional Skills Development
      • Legacy
    • Get Involved 
      • Students
      • Volunteers
      • Support Us
      • Career
    • Partner With Us
    • Blog
    DONATE
    broken image
    broken image
    • Home
    • Who We Are 
      • Our Story
      • Our Board & Advisory Board
      • Our Students
      • Annual Reports
      • Media
    • Our Programs 
      • English Program
      • Women in Tech (WiT)
      • Professional Skills Development
      • Legacy
    • Get Involved 
      • Students
      • Volunteers
      • Support Us
      • Career
    • Partner With Us
    • Blog
    • …  
      • Home
      • Who We Are 
        • Our Story
        • Our Board & Advisory Board
        • Our Students
        • Annual Reports
        • Media
      • Our Programs 
        • English Program
        • Women in Tech (WiT)
        • Professional Skills Development
        • Legacy
      • Get Involved 
        • Students
        • Volunteers
        • Support Us
        • Career
      • Partner With Us
      • Blog
      DONATE
      broken image

      Even On Tough Days, We're Not Alone

      by. Estella Chen

      My name is Estella Chen and I'm from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Just graduated from high school recently and now I'm pursuing my interests in International Relations in college.

      A couple of years ago, during my first year of high school, a close friend introduced me to an organization that would forever change how I see the world. It was called Paper Airplanes. I visited their website out of curiosity, and little did I know, this encounter would shape a significant part of my life.

      broken image

      Becoming a Tutor at Paper Airplanes was more than just an opportunity; it was an exciting journey into connecting with people from different cultures. It was like discovering the threads that tie us all together in this diverse world. As I started with Paper Airplanes, a thought often crossed my mind – how could I share all the knowledge I wanted with my students in the limited time we had? But I was mistaken.

      While teaching, I realized that empowerment goes beyond sharing knowledge; it's about building a real connection that crosses borders. And you know what I found out? Each of us has the ability to uplift others through simple gestures. This discovery became a foundation of my experience, motivating me to take bigger steps on my own path.

      Time zones tried to be a challenge, but we found a way to overcome it. Amid these challenges, I remember a conversation with a remarkable female student as we worked on a sentence worksheet. We talked about gender stereotypes and discrimination, realizing that we all share a common truth: our struggles might be different, but our collective spirit unites us. It reminded me that as girls, we stand together, no matter where we come from, sharing our experiences.

      If I could speak to all my students together, I'd want to thank you. Teaching isn't just about sharing knowledge; it's an exchange that brings hope and happiness. Your curiosity and determination show me why educators find joy in teaching. And those simple "How are you?" messages mean a lot. They show your care, reminding me that even on tough days, we're not alone.

      To my students, just like the paper airplanes you create with love, you have the power to make a difference, individually and together. Every step you take, every connection you make, contributes to positive change.

      Subscribe
      Previous
      My Volunteer Journey
      Next
      It's not just teaching, It's changing lives
       Return to site
      Profile picture
      Cancel
      Cookie Use
      We use cookies to improve browsing experience, security, and data collection. By accepting, you agree to the use of cookies for advertising and analytics. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Learn More
      Accept all
      Settings
      Decline All
      Cookie Settings
      Necessary Cookies
      These cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. These cookies can’t be switched off.
      Analytics Cookies
      These cookies help us better understand how visitors interact with our website and help us discover errors.
      Preferences Cookies
      These cookies allow the website to remember choices you've made to provide enhanced functionality and personalization.
      Save