Just a Blink

Author: Li Shangya

During this TBI course in Jagna, I feel that I have learned and gained so much.

First and foremost, I think this has been an incredible platform to improve my social skills. Being in a completely unfamiliar environment, I had to socialize with classmates, business partners, and my host family. I learned to take the initiative to say hi and engage in small talk with my peers, even if we weren't that close initially - after all, in an environment like this, they were the people closest to me. As an introvert, overcoming my fear of the unfamiliar was a massive challenge. However, I did my absolute best, only to realize that it wasn't nearly as daunting as I had imagined. Everyone was incredibly kind and more than willing to chat with me. I also gained so many new life experiences, like sea jumping and waterfall jumping, leaving me with countless unforgettable memories and photos with my classmates.

Secondly, while working with the local businesses, I feel I truly learned how to communicate with people effectively, how to pace a conversation, and how to efficiently gather the information we needed. It was an amazing opportunity for us to dive deep into the local business models, culture, and mindsets. The small businesses we collaborated with are essentially a microcosm and reflection of the broader Philippine business landscape. Through this experience, I learned to look at issues through a more critical lens, analyzing problems and proposing solutions from an outsider's perspective. This was incredibly beneficial for developing our critical thinking skills.

Our business is a small ticketing agency and gift shop. From the outside, it looks quite simple. But when I talked to the owner, I found out that she has traveled to eight different countries. When she was 44 years old, she went to Japan to study and worked part-time while studying. This was a very shocking thing for me. After all, logically speaking, China is more developed than the Philippines. But the vast majority of people don't have her kind of (what I call an adventurous spirit) mindset and action ability. But in such a small store in this small town, she has such experiences. It turns out that when a person truly wants to do something, it's never too late to start. The difficult part is not having the action ability and determination.

With our local business partner and my fellow student partner, Nice.

The local people here are exceptionally warm, friendly, and talkative. They would greet us enthusiastically, and the children would look at us with curiosity - confident and completely unafraid to talk to strangers. Our host family is really really kind. As a Chinese, love topics is a taboo in my own family because my parents still think I am a kid who knows nothing about love. But here, we share our love experiences and dramas with Rebecca every night, which makes me feel different like she is just like our elder sisters that we can really talk with. The children here are cute that they don’t have too much study pressure, more so just enjoy the nature and animals. I really like the slow pace here. It is so peaceful and warm. There are a lot of small chicks and baby goats near our house, so we can hear the noise made by them all the times, which makes the quietness more fun. My heart melts every time when I see a hen followed by a bunch of baby chicks, which is not even common in rural areas in China.

With our host mom, Rebecca, and my roommate Isabella.

I remember one time when my business partner and I were sitting in a coffee shop. Two men at the next table overheard us speaking in English, and very naturally and warmly asked where we were from and what brought us to Jagna. As we explained our project to them, we found out they were college students from Manila who were planning to become ice suppliers and were visiting different cafes to pitch collaborations. Doing business seems like the most natural thing in the world here. Even though these are small businesses, I could see the passion in their eyes. It made me so happy to see so many people in a developing country pursuing careers they genuinely love. It made me realize that entrepreneurship isn't some far-reaching, unattainable dream, but rather a way of life.

I am so incredibly grateful to my past self for signing up for this course; otherwise, I would definitely be full of regrets right now. Here, I have experienced new things, unlocked new feelings, and developed new ways of thinking. For me, all of this "newness" is exactly what gives life its meaning.

Finally, the scenery here is breathtakingly beautiful, and I found myself awestruck by the local ocean and mountain views time and time again. It is a stark contrast to Hong Kong. The pace of life here is slow, and it lacks heavy industrialization and modern conveniences. Yet, every time I was on a tricycle, looking out at the ocean along the way, I couldn't help but think: I may not have the same experience again in my life. The people living here are so happy and pure-hearted. They love music, are blessed with the beautiful gifts of nature, and don't need a lot of money to enjoy happiness. Isn't this, in itself, also a wonderful way to live life?

As this journey comes to a close, I realize that the impact of Jagna will stay with me long after I leave. The lessons in communication, the shift toward a more critical mindset, and the courage I found to step out of my introverted comfort zone are invaluable tools for my future. Seeing how the locals embrace life with such simplicity and passion has redefined my own perspective on success and happiness. I return home not just with fond memories and beautiful photos, but with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to apply this spirit of entrepreneurship and meaningful connection to whatever comes next.