Essay correction, activities - Yuanyang, China

The prompt is:
In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience)(150 words or fewer).

In the summer of 2008 I travelled to the rural county of Yuanyang, China, to teach English to tribal children. In the beginning interaction was awkward; it was revealed that my students initially believed I was Mexican due to my dark skin and were shocked at my ability to pronounce Chinese fluently.

Every morning I would inhale a breakfast of watery gruel before I began the hour long trek to the school. Unlike other teachers my age, I chose to return to the school at night to help struggling students. Along with English lessons, I imparted with them a specific taste of American teenage culture: for my class' talent show performance, I decided to execute a class performance of the virally popular dance, "Crank Dat". I pushed my dislike towards chauvinistic music deep into my subconscious and completely humiliated myself with my students in front of the school.

I need to know if there are any grammatical errors, spelling errors, etc. Also, if you can help me make if flow better, i would appreciate it greatly. (I'm especially concerned about how I used the colon).

Thank You

replace travelled by traveled
Unlike other teachers (at?) my age
and so on.

Some corrections:

At the beginning, interaction was awkward

other teachers of my age

At the end, you should add a sentence or two that captures what the experience taught you, how it made you a better person, and/or how it inspired you to study whatever it is you are applying to study. Apart from that, you have a well-written, very specific personal anecdote, which will serve you well once you've add an explanation of its significance to the mix.