Claire Nguyen 2020
I work in pharmacy, and I tend to speak to Chinese folks who do not speak English but are looking for vaccines or special medication. It is special to be able to connect with the patients even if I do not understand all the medical terminology. I wish I had more instances to practice, but I tend to spend time preparing for the off-chance someone comes in with a very niche question.
It goes to say that it (knowing Chinese) definitely is a resume builder. I get asked quite a bit about my history with Chinese and it was very beneficial to have a lot of experience in various clubs and the like. It also helps me connect to people who are unable to speak English well. That saying that you can speak to a person's heart if you speak in their native tongue is so true. The way that people light up when you can understand and help out is priceless.