I started learning Mandarin in the sixth grade because I had to take two languages and I really disliked Spanish. I had always thought I would take Latin throughout highschool, but my sixth grade Mandarin class changed my mind. I saw Mandarin as one of the most valuable skills a prospective employee could have in the modern world economy and jumped on the opportunity to learn such a complex and interesting language and culture. Seven years later, I have taken Mandarin all the way through the honors five level and wish to continue taking Mandarin at King’s College London this fall. My end goal is fluency, but the journey towards that goal has really been the highlight of my time in highschool. I have met some very interesting and great people from China that I probably wouldn’t have connected with had I not been learning Mandarin. I have enjoyed so much culture, from Tai Chi to music to TV shows to food, and have been able to get a truly global outlook. Mandarin has become a big part of who I am and I can't wait to travel to Taiwan and China in the coming years.