What Still Remains

On this trip, I learnt that back then, I was part of this school; but now, this school is part of me.

Returning to an old place means many things has changed but I refused to see it that way, seeing it from my old's pov–looking for what has changed. Instead, I chose to see it in a new way, knowing that this trip exists in a different time and space than my memories. By doing this, I could honour the past and enjoy the present, rather than searching for what might have gone.

Looking Back: 2014 & 2019

“Travel isn’t just about seeing new places; it’s about seeing old places with new eyes.”

I was amazed that many of the teachers looked almost exactly the same and it seems like time had paused for them but the people and buildings around me told a different story.

The canteen I remembered had been joined by a second, much larger one with many more food options—I would have definitely gained more weight back then if it had existed 😂

The football field, where I used to sit with my boba and watch people exercise, stood just as it was. I smiled at the memory of myself chilling with friends sipping sweet milk tea from canteen.

My favourite shaokao (small barbecue) stall in front of the school had gone. It once sold skewers of spicy skin tofu (my fave), and I used to have it with my friends after night class. And the bus stop I used to catch into the city had also vanished, replaced by a new train station.

Present Moment: 2024

Somehow I pictured my younger self, unsure of where to go, walking alone and wondering what I wanted to become. Now, it comforts me to know that it’s okay to feel uncertain too—because things will work out as long as you embrace the journey.

Stepping onto campus in 2024, I was struck by how much the school had grown. New buildings added beside the old classrooms and the curriculum, which once felt basic, seemed harder and more varied. I watched students playing Chinese instruments and preparing for speech competition. Fortunately, the classroom feels the same—just with different faces

Outside the school gate, the streets were wider and busier. Technology had also arrived in force – no more cash, everything is just so convenient. I bought a luggage and it arrived within 2 hours.

My Reflection

Growing up, I thought my life was small and defined by these walls and classrooms.

China has definitely grown, and I’m proud to have been part of that growth–knowing the 2010's China 🥹

On this trip, I learnt that back then, I was part of this school; but now, this school is part of me. Growing up, I thought my life was small and defined by these walls and classrooms. But standing here now, I see how far I’ve become. I’ve carried lessons from high school into new cities and careers. The buildings changed, the canteen evolved, and the bus stops disappeared—but the little moments, like laughing with friends, studying hard before exam, walking around or sipping boba under the sun, are forever mine.

So, if you ever return to a place that holds special meaning, remember this: the city may look different, but the heart of that place is alive in your memories. As you walk familiar streets, try not to look for what’s changed. Instead, look for what still remains—those small reminders of who you were and who you’ve become.