[Brazil] Sandy Gao, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
Going through ups and downs, China is well-known for its long and rich history and culture. I was intoxicated with the glorious culture, such as the magnificent poetry emerging in large numbers at the flourishing age of Tang Dynasty (Tang Poetry), Song Dynasty (Song Ci) and Yuan Dynasty (Yuan Qu).
Now living in Beijing, I am from Brazil and came to China to study. The flowers bloom in mid-May, which reminds me of Zhu Xi’s poem “It is easy to know spring comes when the east wind flows; Look at how it dyes the nature with thousands of colors.” It turns out that the colorful scenery can be enjoyed in all seasons here. Walking along a park path, you can view the tender tree leaves with different sizes. Everywhere is fully covered by green.
The sky above is crystal clear. It is cool to sit somewhere even if there is no wind. The sun in May is like a shy person, hiding and shining slightly under the white clouds, With the wind, the shadow of leaves beat gently on the ground and the pink flowers swing. Is it a quite comfortable life? To look back, I’ve been here for several years.
If there is no winter, you don’t know how summer is like. If you don’t come to China once, you don’t know how good China is.
Departure is very sad for me, which I compared to a miniature death. To study in China is the best decision in my life. To this day, I still remember that I sat alone on the plane and cried on my way for China. It is different now. China is my second home and second hometown as well.
To talk about the difference between China and Brazil, I will say Brazil is enthusiastic and unrestrained. Even the trees are giants. The sun sprinkles on the people fervidly and thus they have healthy bronze skin.
The streets are broad. My home is in the countryside famous for soybeans and waterfalls, where people have an easy life. Even if they are going to be late for their work, they will still leisurely finish their breakfast in restaurants. In contrast, the subway in China is full of hard-working figures. As a result, diligence is my first and long-lasting impression of China.
When I first came to China, the first thing I didn’t adapt to was the method of payment. I’m used to carrying cash, credit cards and relevant staff. Now I suddenly found that the mobile phone could handle everything. Now when I came back to my country, I was not used to the days when mobile payment was unavailable. The second thing I didn’t adapt to was to get permission to take subway by scanning the QR code.
In my country we need to queue up at the window to buy tickets for subway ride. However, China has QR code already. Even if buying tickets, people can use self-service machines. The third is the online shopping. Though there is online shopping in other countries, I think Taobao is the most convenient one. I can find everything I searched for. Another thing impressed me a lot is that the books recommended by teachers are very cheap on Taobao and mailing fee is free sometimes. The books are relatively expensive in other countries.
In shopping malls, I noticed that there is one or two independent navigation robots, who will guide you to the shops that you tell them or you touch on their screens. It is more convenient than seeking for the reception guide. Again, I marvel at the rapid progress of internet technology of China.
China is my second home. I was full of love for China from the bottom of my heart when I witnessed China donated COVID-19 vaccines to other countries, when I observed the Chinese people insisted on their inspiration, and when I found China adheres to a foreign policy of friendly co-existence.
The sun does not speak, but it has its brightness. The mountain stands still, but it has its loftiness. The sky is quiet, but it has its elevation. The land is silent, but it has its broadness. China does not speak, but it has its brilliance.
The story is from "My Beautiful Encounter with China" Essay Competition organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges (CSCSE).
