Getting Stronger: A Journey Through China
"I found that when going abroad, I am the same me... maybe it seems like I am different now, but that’s not true. I am just getting stronger."
In 2025, Jacalyn Olson traded the familiar campus of the University of North Texas for a year-long immersion at Sichuan Normal University in Chengdu. What began as an academic pursuit in International Studies through the USAC program transformed into a profound multidisciplinary exploration of self and culture.

Getting Stronger is a curated collection of photography, drawings, paintings, and poetry captured across the diverse landscapes of Chengdu, Baotou, Garzê, and Yibin. Through the lens of a "love and learn" philosophy, Olson documents:
Adventures Across China: From the vibrant urban energy of Chengdu to the rugged beauty of Garzê.
Global Connections: Honest reflections on building lifelong friendships with local students and fellow travelers from around the world.
The Evolution of Independence: A raw look at the internal growth of a curious, impressionable mind navigating the challenges of living abroad.
More than a simple travelogue, this book is a testament to the idea that we don't "change" when we travel; we simply become more resilient versions of ourselves. Whether you are a fellow traveler, a lover of art, or someone seeking beauty in the everyday, you will find something relatable in this intimate record of a life in motion.