PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Over the summer, Rutgers tennis sophomore Naomi Karki traveled to China to volunteer with other tennis players as part of the China-US University Tennis Invitational Tournament.
“To have the opportunity to travel to a new part of the world and connect with a different culture is so special,” Karki said (pictured front row, second from left). “You have to come in with an open mind and heart to make the most of it and really immerse yourself within a new place.”
Karki’s home base for the trip was in Shanghai where she stayed at the East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST).
During the event, organized by Just Sports and Future Planet in addition to ECUST, Karki spent the trip with other student-athletes from the United State including players from Williams College, Dartmouth, Tufts, and more.
The opening ceremony for the event was held at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in the Minhang District, which is where the Shanghai Rolex Masters is held. There, Karki was able to interact with Chinese athletes and young children in fun tennis-related games.
Karki and her fellow volunteers were able to play against Chinese players from different universities, including ECUST and Shanghai University.
While immersing herself in the Chinese culture, she was also able to make a couple friends and lifelong connections, including Rachel who plays for ECUST, and another great junior player from Shanghai.
“At the end of the day, we are always interconnected, whether it’s through our experiences, hobbies, goals, etc.,” said Karki. “I’m grateful to be able to represent my school and country and am excited to bring back what I’ve learned to the USA.”
Karki was also able to explore off the court, visiting the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower which is the tallest tower in the city, Yu Garden and going on a river cruise over the Huangpu River. She also attended a professional Chinese soccer match and took a Kanazawa Craft Society Chinese studies class.
“It was a dream - the night river cruise, looking down over all of Shanghai, connecting with people from the other side of the world,” Karki stated. “The best memories really do come when you least expect it.”
“I’m really grateful to Coach Michael (Fordham women’s tennis coach) and Coach Jesse (BU men's tennis coach) for being such great mentors on this trip. Also, to Coach Hilary and Coach Hailey for giving me this opportunity.”
FULL SOURCE: Rutgers University Athletics | Tennis Sophomore Naomi Karki Travels to Take Part in China-US University Tennis Invitational Tournament