From the Department of Animal Science at National Taiwan University, Link may seem a little shy and reserved at first, but she put in great effort and sincerity in connecting with the children. Over the course of several days, they gradually opened their hearts to each other. Let’s take a look at Link's insight.
Volunteer's Insight_Link
Spending nearly two weeks together with everyone was a truly special journey for me. During this time, I not only listened to many different stories but also created beautiful memories that belonged uniquely to us.
Before the camp began, I was quite worried that I wouldn’t be able to fit in quickly because I’m a slow-to-warm-up person — someone who needs time to adapt to new environments and new relationships. I even thought to myself, “What if I can’t keep up with everyone? What if I can’t find a connection with the children?” With those worries in mind, I stepped into the camp with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
During the first week, I had a lot of concerns about the children I was assigned to lead. I worried they might be difficult to handle, unwilling to interact, or hesitant to get close because I was a stranger to them. But as the days went by, I gradually realized that things weren’t as hard as I had imagined. At first, our conversations were simple — I would ask questions like, “Did you have fun today?” or “Which activity did you like the most?” But as we spent more time together, the children began opening up and sharing more — telling me about the funny things that happened that day or their thoughts about certain activities. What started as one-way interaction slowly became two-way communication, and I could truly feel the distance between us growing smaller.
What touched me most was that these interactions weren’t fleeting — they deepened over time. The children remembered my name, came up to talk to me, and smiled genuinely even at the smallest things. In those moments, I realized that companionship doesn’t require any special techniques. Sometimes, simply listening with care and responding sincerely is enough to build a meaningful connection.
Looking back on these two weeks, I think my greatest gain wasn’t just overcoming my worries about fitting in — it was learning, through my interactions with the children, how to open my heart and embrace new relationships. From unfamiliarity to closeness, from worry to fondness, this experience has given me growth that I will never forget. No matter where I go in the future, I’ll always remember the warmth of this camp — and carry that strength with me in my everyday life.
