Language is not merely a tool for communication but a profound expression of human culture and identity, integral to forming connections and fostering understanding across cultural boundaries. In today’s globalized world, the ability to communicate in multiple languages is increasingly vital, yet emotional barriers often impact learners’ journeys profoundly. Yiping Zhang’s project delves into the nuanced ways emotions—specifically anxiety, boredom, and enjoyment—shape language learning experiences, student engagement, and their decisions to persist in or withdraw from language studies. This research systematically examines how these emotional states evolve throughout an academic semester and interact dynamically with learners’ cultural backgrounds and educational policies. Employing a rigorous mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews, the study offers rich, detailed insights into learners’ emotional narratives. The project highlights the critical importance of emotional well-being in successful language acquisition and intercultural competence, advocating for educational practices and policies that recognize and proactively support diverse emotional experiences, fostering environments that are both culturally sensitive and emotionally responsive.