Student finally gets to live her dream

Li Jo-yun, a volunteer from Taiwan, is totally focused on helping competitors during the ongoing 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

"It's a rare opportunity for me to participate in the Winter Games. I feel a responsibility to share the experience with people in my hometown and help them get a sense of the spectacular events in Beijing from the other side of the Straits," Li said.

The Beijing International Studies University student said she learned about the Games as a freshman, and now her dream of taking part has finally come true.

During the volunteer work, what has impressed Li most is the importance of detail-oriented services. "Many of our tasks are arranged quickly, with no preparation, or in emergency situations, such as solving problems for athletes, including those related to nucleic acid tests, accommodations and training," she said.

Li said she has been deeply impressed by luge racer Lin Sinrong, one of four athletes in the Chinese Taipei delegation, who praised the COVID-19 prevention measures and the food at the Yanqing Olympic Village.

Though facing many uncertainties, Li prepared for her volunteer role long before the Games began, via online and offline training sessions.

"I learned CPR and a lot of health-related knowledge and skills in the sessions," she said.

She was captain of her school softball team and has been passionate about sports since she was a child.

However, she is not so familiar with snow and ice sports because Taiwan seldom sees snow due to its mainly subtropical climate.

"Snow is kind of sacred in Taiwan, and we don't have access to winter sports. My family thinks I am really lucky to catch the event and they fully support me," she said.

Her 21st birthday fell on Feb 4, the day of the opening ceremony in Beijing. "One of my birthday wishes was that everyone will stay healthy amid the pandemic," she said.

This was the second year Li had stayed in Beijing for Spring Festival, but she hopes to visit her home in Hsinchu, northwestern Taiwan, if she can arrange a vacation this year.

"I will share my experience with my parents and tell them about the people and things I have encountered," she said, adding that she will buy mascot badges as souvenirs for her younger sisters.

This is not Li's first volunteer experience, as her parents used to take her to small events in Taiwan. She participated in beach cleaning activities organized by an environmental protection community, and she also volunteered to plant trees in her hometown.

"The previous experiences usually only lasted one day and were less meaningful or magnificent than this event," she said.

She is proud of helping others and making efforts for other people's happiness. "I hope my tiny contribution will help the Winter Games run smoothly."

Before coming to Beijing, Li declined an offer to study at a university in Taipei. "My grandfather was born in Hunan province and later moved to Taiwan, and my father has always had great affection for the Chinese mainland."

Influenced by her father, Li decided to apply to study at a university in Beijing. "The capital is really big and different from my hometown. It is an international metropolis with beautiful views and royal gardens," she said.

When she graduates, the English language major plans to study for a master's, either in Beijing or overseas.