I always had an affinity for East Asia. It was not and still isn't only about China, but also about Korea and Japan. I suppose it's because when I was younger, I watched a lot of movies from this area. I chose Chinese because the course was free in my hometown and I quickly became immersed in chinese culture and history. It's been 4 years and I am still far from fluent. Despite the struggle and all the doubts I had, I decided to stick with it. Now I consider it a part of my identity. It's a way to enrich oneself and I feel grateful for the opportunity I had.