by Ally Wong (Gr 12)

The summer of 2017 was definitely interesting for TIS student Yolanda You, as she signed up to join the Macau Youth Student Military Camp. The Macao government co-hosted a camp with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison for students to experience and learn from military life. Yolanda tells us it was not as harsh as true military life because it was for students, but it was a memorable experience, “We got to listen to presentations by the colonels about China and what’s going on about the government, and the director general who talked about education.” The students were sorted into squads that lived and ate together alongside the soldiers. They were also assigned a squad leader that guided them with taking care of themselves. The camp leaders focused on teaching the students self-control and discipline.

This was Yolanda’s first time to take part in the camp, she had first heard about the camp outside of the school and wanted to join since it sounded like such a rare experience. So when the program was promoted at our school, she signed up right away.  Participants were introduced to many activities, and shooting an automatic rifle was one of them. Yolanda enjoyed her experience of shooting targets with a real bullet. The camp also had activities such as marching, tent-building and hiking. One of the most memorable moments, Yolanda said, was having to wake up at 3am to hike in Coloane.

On the ninth, and final day, the soldiers put on a festive show with music and performances. The camp members were all very emotional at the end of an incredible experience. “I remember that most of the girls on my bus were crying.” Yolanda said she would take part again if she was given the opportunity, and she would recommend her friends to join as well, as long as they speak Cantonese or Mandarin, or both, since the students spoke Cantonese and the soldiers spoke in Mandarin.