As I
stepped off the airplane into the bright California sun, I was eager with
anticipation about the events that would take place over the next few days. Soon
after, I met with the group that I would ride with to Irvine. We were soon in
the van and getting acquainted. It was awesome to converse with people from
across the country who were so different from me, but yet so very similar.
Throughout our first day, more and more of the group of scholarship recipients
arrived and we began to interact and learn more about each other. The
relationships that we built would be critical since we would be spending a great
deal of time with each other during the course of our stay.
Those of us who were there on the first evening
attended the Volvo Connection Reception and received a preview of the
forthcoming events. Afterwards, we all ate dinner together and then went to bed
to prepare for the busy day ahead of us.
A new day arrived and our schedule was full. We
began with the Guanxi breakfast. We had the privilege of hearing several
enlightening talks. Then came the Guanxi Suppliers Opportunity Fair. Although it
was more geared towards the Asian business leaders in attendance, we scholarship
recipients were all able to mingle around and talk with some of the suppliers
and gain some useful information.
At the USPAACC/Wells
Fargo Asian Business Leadership Award Luncheon, we were able to see and hear the
stories of some very outstanding Asian business leaders. It was awe-inspiring to
hear how they attained their level of success. Then it was time for us to
prepare for the crowning event of our entire trip.
After a short rehearsal, we got ourselves in line ready to be introduced as we
entered the Excellence Awards and Scholarships Banquet, the climax of
CelebrAsian 2004. We ate a grand meal and then the presentation of awards began.
We heard exquisite talks from business leaders, political figures, and many more
and they received Excellence Awards for outstanding achievement. The pinnacle of
the evening though, was walking across that stage, shaking hands, and receiving
the scholarship award. It was absolutely exhilarating, simply being around so
many magnificent people. However,
it soon ended, pictures were taken, and we left for our rooms. It would be
difficult to part from the people who a single day prior I never knew, but who I
now felt a close bond with.
To sum it up, CelebrAsian was a tremendous experience for me. I had the
opportunity to meet some very influential people, to hear speakers of all
backgrounds united by culture, and to build relationships with an outstanding
group of young people. It was a once in a lifetime experience, and I know it is
a memory that I will hold with me for the rest of my life.
As I
stepped off the airplane into the bright California sun, I was eager with
anticipation about the events that would take place over the next few days. Soon
after, I met with the group that I would ride with to Irvine. We were soon in
the van and getting acquainted. It was awesome to converse with people from
across the country who were so different from me, but yet so very similar.
Throughout our first day, more and more of the group of scholarship recipients
arrived and we began to interact and learn more about each other. The
relationships that we built would be critical since we would be spending a great
deal of time with each other during the course of our stay.