In ninth grade English class, we watched Fan Lixin’s documentary on Chinese migrant workers (农民工), Last Train Home. From crowded train stations to intimate (亲密的) family conversations, Fan’s documentary revealed the essential role migrant families have come to play in Chinese society. I soon discovered this role on a more personal level when teaching migrant students, and later working with Stepping Stones, a charity organization educating migrant children. These experiences introduced me to the study of cultural trends (潮流).