I left for the airport around 6 AM on 11/13/2008, although the flight departed a little after 9 AM.  The first transfer was at Detroit, from there the plane headed for Tokyo, the second transfer, then to Beijing. By the time I sat on the plane in Detroit, I was exhausted, ready for a nap.  Then three young Chinese students sitting by me caught my attention.  I thought they looked too young to be graduate students. Besides, this was not the time for any break. I was too curious to remain silent.

It turned out that they were juniors from Qing Hua University in Beijing, returning home after an international science competition at MIT.  China won bronze medal while MIT grabbed the gold one.  Truely impressive!

Upon being asked, one of them, 20-year-old, told me of his plan to continue his graduate study in US.  Many of his friends have already sent out applications.  He likes MIT and would very much wish he could get admitted, but then he said, “I can only go to places where there is scholarship.”

It was so delightful chatting with these studious youngsters from China. I have no doubt that, given opportunities, they will be very successful.  They reminded me of many young people that I know of.