My happy time in China

I am a girl from Indonesia. I have been studying in China for more than three years. I first studied in Yangzhou University for one year, and then went to study in Shijiazhuang, a city in the north. As the proverb goes: "Reading thousands of books is like traveling thousands of miles." In the days of studying in China, the different customs of this country and her openness and tolerance impressed me deeply and will never be forgotten.

Beautiful changes of four seasons

In Indonesia, there is only the difference between rainy season and dry season all the year round, and the temperature is generally above 20 ℃. When I came to China, I felt what winter was for the first time in my life. Although I was wearing a thick down jacket, I still experienced the taste of cold. But when I saw the snow is so beautiful, flying all over the sky, covering all the streets, I changed my view. The cold winter can also be romantic and warm, such an experience has never had in my 20 years of life before. I like snow, I also like this country that has flying snow.

In addition to snow, different seasons here are novel to me: in spring, pink trees blooming on peach trees and green grass creeping out of the ground; in summer, there are white and pure lotus flowers and endless green in the park; in autumn, the leaves are falling and the fruits are heavy…

Dizzying delicious foods

"Spring wind greened the bank of the river in the south; my friend goes down to Yangzhou in the mist and flowers of spring." (poem) I am a "chowhound" with a strong interest in food. Although I am used to the food in my hometown, I can't resist other kinds of food. I often walk through the street with my classmates. Yangzhou fried rice, crab soup dumplings, shrimp dumpling noodles, these special delicacies in Jiangnan have become an unforgettable memory in my life.

In Shijiazhuang, I have tasted the northern cuisine as well. The first thing to say is "dumplings". I think every foreigner who comes to China will taste it. Different fillings and different tastes make people full of praise. Whether it's in a school restaurant or a takeout, I can easily eat this wonderful food. What makes me deeply remember is that every year, when we welcome the new year, the university will organize teachers to make dumplings with us. Although the dumplings I first made are ugly, after all, I made it successfully. The teacher also helped me to give it a "beautiful face". Besides dumplings, we also experienced the Zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival. I learned the rich festival customs in China and gained a lot in the delicious food tasting.

Feel the splendid Chinese culture

When I came to this country with a long history, the splendid culture opened my eyes and made me surprised. After the busy class, my classmates and I took part in many cultural experience activities organized by the school: playing the Chinese zither to feel the music that can clean people's hearts; experiencing paper cutting art to see people's love for a better life; taking part in poetry recitation competition to help me express feelings in the art of sound; observing the Intangible Cultural Heritage — iron plate embossment, to feel the delicacy contained in the rough.

I can't help thinking that this is really a magical country with so many amazing cultural heritages!

Kind and warm Chinese

The international students I study with came from all over the world with different skin colors. Here, every one of us has a joy on the face and warmth in the eyes. If you ask why, I think it's because this country brings us a sense of security and intimacy, and it's also because all Chinese are kind and enthusiastic. Walking on the street, you can see a stranger with friendly smile; on campus and in class, teachers and Chinese students has sincerity in their eyes. They are as kind as my family. Whenever you need help, they will give you a hand and help you selflessly. My teachers often say: you are foreigners, but in my eyes, you are the same as Chinese students. I will ask the same for you and give you the same help, so that you can succeed in your study and realize your dream.

Every day in China, I am full of enthusiasm for life and the future. I hope to realize my dream as soon as possible; But when I think of graduation, I am reluctant to depart with this happy country.

Thank you, China, the beautiful place that makes me yearn for a better life.

Monicca Ekdya Ayoe Oktavia (Chinese Name: Meiwanli), 22, an international student from Indonesia. She Likes music and movies. In middle school, after watching Jackie Chan's film Kung Fu Dream, she got an interest in learning Chinese language. In 2017, she entered Yangzhou University to study business management for one year, and then studied international trade in Hebei University of technology in 2019. During the period of studying in China, not only did she get excellent academic achievements, but also reached HSK level five. In 2020, she won the first prize of the Second Chinese Classic Reading Competition in Hebei province. After class, she studied calligraphy, paper-cut, Taijiquan, etc. and actively participated in the traditional cultural competition organized by the university, and had a strong interest in Chinese traditional culture and art.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.