By the time I am writing these words I am in this school for a little more than three months and I have still three more months planned to stay. So in total my time in the school will be half a year and I already wish I could stay longer.

As an 34 year old guy from central europe I came here with the thought of breaking the cycle in which I was stuck at home and to change myself mentally and physically. To be honest I didn't believe that I could make significant changes since I am already over 30, working my whole adult life in front of a computer and I also had two major knee injuries and surgeries. The first two months confirmed those thoughts of not developing significantly with some pain here and there. So I felt limited.

But through my stay here and also being able to visit the shaolin temple, to see those inspirational shaolin monks, of which our Master is one of them, I learned to not give up and in the third month I experienced a personal change and development where I feel stronger, more flexible and in general healthier. Even the cold which arrived earlier and stronger than usually couldn't stop the progress and I am curious for what is coming in the next months.

Thanks to the training of Master Wei who is always there to help and to listen I allow myself to dream bigger and learn proper Shaolin Kung Fu. He and his team are truly some of the best in their styles.
I am also thankful to Master Zhang who teaches me Wing Tsun and changed my perspective towards it totally, so that I also want to continue to learn this style even though it never was my interest before.
Master Liu, whos Tai Chi skills are incredible shows that good teaching doesn't need spoken words of the same language. He just teaches by being silently and patiently there with you.

Lastly I also want to thank Joy, who helped me with the visa process and always answered my mails even in times when the pandemic made it difficult to fulfill my dream to come here.

Of course there are many more people to thank like the translators Eva and Maggie and the whole staff who prepares delicious food, they should not be missed.

I am looking forward to the rest of my stay and to come back again some day.