First notebook entry: Introducing myself I am learning Mandarin because I want to study abroad and be able to help anyone in the US that doesn't speak Mandarin if they need help. I speak English fluently, but sometimes someone in the supermarket will stop and ask you in broken English how to find something and you want to help but you have no idea what they are saying. I want to be able to point them in the right direction in their native tongue and help them feel more comfortable. Maybe even make a new friend. That would make me smile really widely.