At 20, I had my first volunteer season.

Second-year students are no longer as apprehensive as first-year students, but they still have enough enthusiasm to volunteer far from home. So, they sling their backpacks over their shoulders and set off…For the first time in my life, I volunteered far from home. The entire team of 26 people slept on the floor of a kindergarten classroom. At home, with my mother's warm blankets and soft mattresses, and delicious food and nice clothes, all of that was so far away. No blankets, no mats, no mosquito nets, and not even my beloved pillow… I slept soundly thanks to the warmth radiating from the 26 people. And the chaotic meals. Every meal reflected the spirit of VIPs, delicious to the last bite. We ate while choking and laughing. There were days when "Auntie" Hai had to cover her mouth and run outside three times because she choked on the soup. Ngan, the "national child" with her clear eyes, always reserved a seat next to the goofy Nga because Nga was used to getting her food exactly to her liking. Sitting next to her and indulging her innocent preferences, I felt a family blossoming in my heart. Eating together, sleeping together. The whole team panicked because of shingles. Eight of us returned to Hanoi. The teachers at the school were considering withdrawing everyone back to Hanoi. Tears fell, and I, a young girl, sobbed during dinner. No one wanted to leave before the end of the volunteer campaign. I cherish those moments so much, allowing me – a girl from the Journalism department – ​​to further extend my feelings about the Literature department at the Hanoi University of Science and Humanities. I remember most vividly the first days as a village teacher. Waking up while the sun was still asleep, I and my friends walked along the grassy path to the village cultural center to teach. Day after day, that path became more and more marked by our footsteps, the shadows of our green volunteer uniforms. The lectern was the doorstep, the blackboard was the desks and chairs, and the lesson plans were textbooks. The students' voices chirped like birds. So bright and innocent! "Hello, teacher!" My dear, tomorrow we'll be far apart, and I'll miss your innocent smiles and the sunny sky so much. On rainy days, the whole team would sit at home and sing. Some whispered, "Hey, a storm's coming to Thai Binh, my hometown, and Thanh Hoa too." "I miss home! I miss home!" But everyone was also saddened by the impending separation. Nearly 20 days have passed, and looking back, it feels like just a breeze... If I hadn't gone to Hanoi that day, if I hadn't gotten on the bus that day, if… I would never have had these wonderful experiences at the age of 20, which is slowly slipping away…