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    Summer vacations should be relaxed for students. However, many of them use the chance to take part in summer project.

    Xu Dan, a 15-year-old girl, loves vacations because it means she can spend more time volunteering. She believes that volunteering has acts instead changed her life and made her a better person.

    Two years ago, Xu was a shy girl. One day, she saw a group of volunteers picking up trash in the street. Since she had no plans for the summer vacation and wanted to make some friends, she decided to join them.

    "I used to think volunteering was just picking up trash. Now I know that the aim of volunteer work is helping others and gaining self-esteem(自尊), "Xu says. Her volunteering schedule is full: teaching children English from Mondays to Fridays, picking up trash on Saturdays, and visiting old people on Sundays.

    For Xu, visiting old people is the most meaningful activity. "I help them clean their homes and cut their hair. I talk to them and listen to their life stories. These are just small things, but every time I help others I feel more confident about myself," Xu says.

    According to Xu, the positive energy(正能量) from volunteering influences the way she deals with people and sees the world. "I can see things from other people's point of view and look at things more positively(乐观). I think I'm going to keep it all my life." she says.