Taiwanese students moved to tears by parents' messages during 183km Spanish pilgrimage

For 14- and 15-year-old students from Guangwu Junior High School in Hsinchu, Taiwan, a 183-kilometer pilgrimage walk across Spain became an unexpectedly emotional journey, culminating in tears of remembrance and gratitude upon reaching the sacred city.

This year marked the third time Guangwu Junior High has undertaken the challenging trek. Principal Huang Hsin-Teng accompanied the students, carrying not just their backpacks but also the comforting voices of their parents. He had pre-recorded messages from parents offering encouragement, reminders to take care of themselves, and expressions of love. These messages served as a constant source of strength for the students as they navigated the arduous path from the French Pyrenees to the Spanish holy site.

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Take care of yourself. We are all following your progress, keep going. Mom and Dad love you very much.

During moments of exhaustion, physical pain, blisters, and self-doubt, the recorded voices of their parents echoed in their ears, providing solace and motivation. Reaching the final destination, students gathered in the square, reflecting on their achievement and the support system that had accompanied them metaphorically every step of the way.

The experience was profound, with some students weeping with a mix of joy and longing for home. The parental blessings, heard from thousands of miles away, washed away their fatigue and warmed them like the setting sun. Principal Huang described the pilgrimage as a perfect example of "learning outside the textbook, learning from the world," calling it an unforgettable junior high school experience that fostered growth and resilience.

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Learning outside the textbook, learning from the world.