Each place we visited gave me something new to reflect on. From the history of Beijing to the innovation in Shenzhen, from the calm of Changchun to the vibrant energy of Guangzhou, I was able to experience China’s incredible diversity. I especially loved learning about traditional Chinese medicine, which opened my eyes to different ways of thinking about health and healing. It was the highlight of my trip.
Baraa Crossing Borders
A Nursing Student’s Diplomatic Experience in China
This past Winter break, I had the incredible honor of joining the Iowa Student Delegation through the Greenpeace Institute. I’m so thankful to the U.S.-China Green Institute and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries for making this experience possible. It’s hard to put into words just how much this trip meant to me.
The goal was to promote cultural and academic exchange, but what I walked away with was much more personal. Speaking at Jilin University of Nursing in Changchun was one of the most empowering moments of my life. I had the chance to connect with medical professionals and talk about medical ethics and the difference in the nursing programs between China and the USA. These moments taught me how powerful our voices can be when we speak with purpose and listen with intention.
Throughout the trip, I met students from high schools and universities across China. We shared stories, ideas, and laughs, and even though we came from different places, we found common ground in our hopes for the future. Those conversations reminded me how valuable human connection is and how much we can learn from one another.
In the future, I aim to work with the nursing faculty at Jilin University on a Love project. It’s a collaboration that grew out of this trip, and it’s focused on kindness, care, and community. Being part of something like this has shown me that real change can start with small, meaningful actions; it all comes down to passion!
Global Student Diplomacy 