Volunteers share stories from the 2018 Paralympics

In 2014, Hwang volunteered for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, but this was the first time that the 25-year-old had joined a Paralympic event. Hwang was touched by the skills of the Paralympic athletes.

"I don't ski so well. They are disabled, but they can ski very well, even though it's harder for them."

Hwang's cousin has a hearing impairment, and this volunteer experience made him understand more about people with disabilities.

"I learned that it's not polite to help the athletes without asking them first. They will ask if they need help," says Hwang. "Actually, they are just the same as everyone else."

After having spent a year learning Chinese at Qingdao University in 2016, Hwang felt more involved with the Chinese delegation. He joined the delegation to cheer on China during the semifinals and finals of the wheelchair curling games, and watched China win the gold medal.

"As a member of Team China, I'm so glad the Chinese team won the gold medal," says Hwang.

"I heard it was the first medal in the history of the Chinese Winter Paralympics. I'm very proud of them and I'm glad that I was part of that history." Hwang obtained his bachelor's degree in political diplomacy in February and has started to look for a job. Working in China is one option he is considering.

Wang Jie met Hwang during the final of the wheelchair curling games, where they were seated next to each other, cheering for China. She took time off from her job of organizing transportation at the Paralympic village to support China on the day of the finals.

Wang is in the final year of her Master of Interpreting and Translation course at the Central South University of Forestry and Technology in Changsha, Hunan province. Besides taking on volunteer work at the Paralympics, she also had to work on her thesis for the degree.