How has the internet reshaped my life-path as a self-taught learner（Pt.1）

(Please note that I've mostly just learnt English one-way, don't really have the opportunity to hear feedback, so I think my English tends to be overly grandiose or inappropriate, y'know, second language learners often put as many big words as possible into their practicing. Please correct me with that!)

As someone who has joined italki only recently, I'm still figuring out how things work here. I was born and bred in China and have learnt English as my second language. To be honest, initially I felt as if I should ONLY present myself as a professional name-card sort of figure (??). Until recently my language-partner inspired me to try sharing some personal story of learning, which is somewhat unusual.

Through my life up to this point, the total time I was studying in school was no more than 6 years.
This started off as an intentional choice in my 3rd grade, my parents wanted me to learn broader knowledge than the school's curriculum. This appeared to be quite 'crazy' to parents of my peers. Like the other working-class Chinese parents of their age, they didn't have access to good higher education nor could they speak English, yet they recognized the importance of English very early on so they decided to give me as much exposure to it as possible.

A more exact term than 'home-school' is 'self-school', because for the most part, they just left me with a bunch of study materials, working my way through the learning process. I designed my own learning approach from scratch, which follows a tempo that suits me. I would attend the school's final exams and got top grades. English was among the main things I learnt during those years. Another main focus was on violin-practicing, naturally that requires professional instruction and vigorous practicing, and so I did that, for 8 years.

We decided to return to the normal educational system for the senior year of high school, since it's more demanding and college entrance was at stake at this point (schoolwork gets really overwhelming in Chinese high schools).

However, unforeseen by any of us, I left school yet again not long after. But this time the reason's that my eyes had suddenly developed a dysfunction which makes me unable to read for more than a few minutes. This blow struck me hard, because at this point, the 'high school - university - a job to make a living' seems to be the one and only pathway, every single person I've known are following that path. All of a sudden I'm officially an outlier, floating helplessly on uncharted water.
…………

"keep it up!"

My first letter in English:P

Dear L：
This is Nina.The Working Permit is done. Now， I will send the scan of it to you. The original has also been sent today as well，it is expected to be arrive after 4 working days. Besides, the Notification form for the authorized unit is being dealt with，but we can only get it on August 13. Then, I will send the scan to you as soon as possible, as well as(?) the original. See if you can use the scan for the visa.
Also, please carry the health certificate and other related materials when you enter the country in order to use them in the future.
Thank you.
Best,
Nina

2015/8/4 Write!

This is my first time writing,I was really feel a little worried about it,but if i don't start,I won't make progress.

First,i will introduce myself, Yilia is my English name,and i am 25 years old. My hometown is Zhejiang,there are beautiful scenery and gentle people. But i am in Beijing now. Beijing is the capital of china.

 

Two years ago,i was still in Hangzhou,at that time,i was full of longing for Beijing. I thought that it is a good city for my job. Actually,i am an artist ,mainly I do photography and video.Most of the time i want to be acquainted with more different people,and feel different things. Not only good for job ,and good for myself to become a wonderful person. (?)

Sometimes i think about why i has decided on art as a career.Most people love it and enjoy it，but it doesn’t means everyone can really get into the special place in their life. That place like a wonderland,and also like a prison. you can come in,but not necessarily to come out. Both beautiful and dangerous in there.