Two days later, Sakolsky returned to Luoyang Foreign Language School, where he had once taught. Former students traveled from different parts of the world to see him again.

　　As familiar faces appeared one after another, Sakolsky struggled to contain his emotions and wept several times. "I planted the seed with each and every one of you and you have grown into trees," he said.

　　Li Yuanzhi, one of his former students, flew back from New Zealand for the reunion. More than two decades later, he still remembered Sakolsky"s unconventional teaching style. To explain a single English word, Sakolsky might laugh, jump around or even lie down on the floor. Outside class, he joined his students on the basketball court. When he noticed that the school"s basketball nets were worn out, he quietly bought new ones, Li recalled.

　　Those small moments left more than memories of laughter.

　　A generation that had been encouraged to look outward began encouraging others to do the same.

　　Another former student, Li Wenwen, is now an English teacher at Luoyang Foreign Language School. "I was 17 and had just started 11th grade," she told the Global Times. "Sakolsky opened a window to the world for us. Now, through more exchanges, I try to look outward myself, and then bring what I have seen and the openness and kindness I have experienced back to my students. I encourage them to step into the world and take part in cross-cultural exchange."

　　Bridge built on common ground

　　When Sakolsky visited Yin"s home, he deliberately wore a jersey from a women"s football team in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

　　The word "Passion" was printed prominently on the shirt, with four words above it: "Respect," "Loyalty," "Family" and "Integrity." Pointing to them, Sakolsky said they described Yin well.