Among the bustling streets of Xi’an, China, Amaya Marion strolled past restaurants, outdoor markets and people. This lively setting was natural to Marion, who spent six weeks studying abroad in China during summer 2019. 

After visiting Taiwan in 2018 with the KHS Chinese class, Marion loved Asia and wanted to go back again. She was accepted into the National Security Language Initiative for Youth, a government program that gives full scholarships for kids to study abroad. Eva Geiger, Marion’s friend, said she enjoyed hearing about Marion’s travels. 

“The way she described the trip, how beautiful the landscape was, being able to experience another culture, getting language exposure and meeting new people,”  Geiger said. “[It] just made me really want to study abroad.”

Marion had the opportunity to stay in China, where she lived with a host family. Marion spent a lot of time with her host mom, who didn’t speak English. 

“When I first got there [the host mom] didn’t understand me at all,” Marion said. “It probably took a week of using a translating app and then we got it under control. Half the group had never taken any Chinese before, and they were able to have full conversations afterwards. You learn so much in a short period of time.” 

Marion is now planning a solo trip back to Asia, which she said she never would have done before. She said how studying abroad was a major confidence booster. 

“You become a lot more self-reliant [and] responsible,” Marion said. “[It] just opens more opportunities.” 

This fall, Marion is attending Stanford University and planning to major in international relations while continuing to take Chinese classes, with both areas of study inspired by her time abroad. Edrin Chen, KHS Chinese teacher, said Marion is getting the opportunity of a lifetime at Stanford. 

“I know she’s going to do well going to the West Coast,” Chen said. “She’s going to fly high.”