by KIM HILSENBECK
More than two years ago, Alano Alvarez, now 18, was watching music videos on You Tube. He stumbled on one from a group singing in Chinese and thought it would be cool to understand what they were saying.
That prompted him to connect with pen pals in Southeast Asia on Inter Pals. Alvarez then started watching videos to help him learn how to speak Mandarin Chinese.
His fascination with the language and the culture was not a passing fancy. Alvarez took a Mandarin language course through Austin Community College in the summer of 2011. In his mind, he began formulating a plan to visit China and immerse himself in the language.
With that as his goal, the 16-year-old got a job a Chick-fil-A in Kyle and started socking money away for his trip. He figured it would be a graduation present to himself; one that he would work and save for during a two-year period.
While other teenagers were spending their money on “kid stuff,” like movies and electronic equipment, Alvarez allotted himself $20 a paycheck for fun money. He also paid about $240 a month to his mom for gas and car insurance.
“People asked how I could spend only $20,” he said. “But I knew I was saving for something more exciting.”
After the ACC course, Alvarez said he was able to converse with Chinese-speaking customers at Chick-fil-A, impressing his fellow co-workers.
Having never traveled outside the United States before, Alvarez applied for a passport and had to get a travel Visa.
As the time grew near, he got more excited – and nervous. While he’d spent time away from home for adventure camps in the summer, a trip to Asia, alone, was a big step.
Alvarez managed to save about $3,500 working at the restaurant, which he said is a lot of fun and it’s a really good company to work with. He still works there, saving money for his next trip to Asia; but we digress.
Shortly after graduating from Lehman High School in May 2012, Alvarez embarked on his big trip to China. He registered for a two-month Mandarin course at the University of Beijing. On July 25, he flew from Austin to Dallas to Korea to Beijing.
On his mind at the time was, “This is it, there is no turning back!”
For Alvarez, the experience was beyond his expectations.
“Having my dream come true was completely fulfilling,” he said.
Learning Mandarin and living in Beijing inspired Alvarez to think about someday working in an embassy, perhaps as a U.S. diplomat or even an ambassador.
In the meantime, he is about to leave on a trip to Surabaya, Indonesia, for a two-week vacation to visit his roommate from the university in China.
His job at Chick-fil-A allowed him to save about $1,000 for this trip; he said he won’t need as much money this time because he has a place to stay.
But Alvarez said he would love to return to Beijing someday.
“I made a lot of friends and I miss the hustle and bustle of the city,” he said.
