By Yixuan Zhu, Fanshawe College, Early Childhood Leadership. Yixuan wrote this during her Parents2Partners internship, where she worked to help children and families from every cultural background feel a sense of belonging.
This week’s internship theme was self care. Between studying and working, it is easy to put rest last. When our mentor asked us to pause and focus on self care, I planned a trip. I was already home in China during our virtual internship, and I chose a small island in Zhejiang, the easternmost point of China, where it is said you can see the country’s first ray of dawn.
Listening to the sea
At night I sat alone by the quiet sea, listening to waves roll over the pebbles. My mind relaxed like never before. I took long walks along the coast and wrote down thoughts that had been buried under deadlines.
Waiting for the sunrise
At four in the morning I watched my first sunrise. I had thought sunrise was a single moment, but it took about half an hour. First came a faint pink light on the clouds, then slowly the sun. It reminded me that sometimes it takes patience to move through the dark before we see the hope of a new day.
Reconnecting with nature
I hiked through forests, found hidden waterfalls, and noticed the little things: birdsong, the smell of the sea, warm sand under my feet.
What I brought home
After three days I came back with clarity and purpose. Ignoring rest leads to burnout, and making self care a regular habit, even during busy study and work weeks, helps me stay focused, productive, and resilient.