By staff reporter Xiang Bin in Shanghai

Li Jiating is a girl from an ordinary background in Shanghai. She was lucky enough to get through the fierce competition to become an Olympic volunteer at the Shanghai Olympic Hotel. China.org.cn had the opportunity to interview her in person.

Li Jiating

China.org.cn: Where are you from?

Li: Shanghai, I'm a local person and my home is very near here.

China.org.cn: At which university are you studying?

Li: Shanghai University. I major in journalism. I will be a senior in the next semester.

China.org.cn: Isn't it very important for students like you to find an opportunity to gain some work experience during this summer vacation in view of your graduation next year?

Li: That is true, but I had to make a choice between work experience and serving as a volunteer, and I chose the latter.

China.org.cn: Why did you make that choice?

Li: Because of the Olympics. It means a lot to me. Being involved in the Beijing Olympic Games is everyone’s dream. I mean it is once in a lifetime chance. You know there were 40,000 candidates to be volunteers, but only 1,000 of them were selected.

China.org.cn: Really fierce competition. So you must have been a truly excellent candidate.

Li: In my opinion, I was just one of the lucky ones.

China.org.cn: Tell us about your daily schedule.

Li: I work from 8 AM to 8 PM everyday. I usually get here at about 7:30 AM. I'm in charge of servicing the media. So I can show you around if you have time.

China.org.cn: Thank you very much. You have been really helpful.

Li: You are welcome. I'm happy to be of help – that's why I'm here.

(China.org.cn August 6, 2008)