When Sarah Swetz Huang stepped off the plane in China as a wide-eyed exchange student in 2008, she didn’t realize her journey would become a lifelong bridge between cultures. 🌏 From the bustling streets of Beijing to Chengdu’s spice-filled alleys, she discovered each city’s unique flavor—literally and figuratively. 🥟🌶️
‘Chinese families showed me how traditions weave through generations,’ Sarah shared, recalling meals where grandparents, parents, and kids laughed over steaming hot pots. ‘It’s like a TikTok trend that never fades—old and new blending perfectly.’
Now a U.S. teacher, Sarah champions language exchange programs to give American students a taste of Mandarin and cultural empathy. ‘Imagine if every classroom had a ‘Pen Pal 2.0’ program,’ she says. ‘We’d build more #GlobalCitizens than ever.’
Her vision? A world where cultural curiosity replaces stereotypes. 💡 After all, as Sarah puts it: ‘Understanding starts with a simple nǐ hǎo.’ 👋
