Text/Chen Mingyi Komiks 1960 witch cloth drawSong Xintong Zeng Youlian Li Xinrui Huang Juyuan Photo/Provided by the interviewee
Poster design/Liu Le Lu Tianai
Video/Chen Nana
Instructor/Lu Nanfang Xiao Wei
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an island country located in the southern part of the Caribbean of Central America and close to the coast of Venezuela. There were more than 90,000 Chinese in Trinidad and Tobago, and the earliest immigrant Chinese can be traced back to Komiks 1960 witch cloth draw to 1796.
Michelle, a Chinese student from Jinan University, immigrated to Trinidad and Tobago very early, and they jointly operated a restaurant to make a living. Michelle was born and raised in this country, and by chance, Michelle returned to Guangzhou, China to start her college life. The completely different cultures also brought her a completely different experience.
The following is Michelle’s story:
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are a multicultural country, where the cultural traditions of each country blend and coexist, showing cultural diversity in various aspects such as food, festivals and music.
The natural characteristics of the sea around all sides make people keen on going to the beach, enjoying the sun and food. The most popular one is a food called “Bake and shark”, a delicacy with grilled shark meat in bread. It is often sold on the beach at Komiks 1960 witch cloth draw. It tastes delicious after being served with tomatoes, cabbage, onions, sour cucumbers and various sauces. In addition, we also like to eat roast pork (Pelau), a traditional dish made with rice, chicken, pork and various spices. It is often used as a food for special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, etc.
In addition, most of our country are African and Indian peopleso there are many specialty foods from their country. For example, Indian flatbread (RoCinema 1950 witch cloth drawti) is an East India staple food. It is a scone with curry meat and vegetables in it. The rich and diverse Komiks 1960 witch cloth draw dishes form our country’s food culture.
Michelle’s personal photos
Not only that, our country is also full of diverse cultures in festivals and music.
In my hometown of Komiks 1960 witch cloth draw, there are many unique celebrations, among which the most popular and grand traditional festival is Carnival, also known as Carnival. It was a grand event full of colors and music. It usually takes place in February or March each year and lasts for two days. During the festival, people wear gorgeous costumes and masks and then dance, parade, cheer or spray each other with colored powder. Festival events also include float parades, musical performances, dances and other celebrations.
Music is essential throughout the festival. There will be music on site with many trucks driving, people jump from the starting point to the end point and then cross the stage. When some bands walk onto the stage, the jury selects the band based on the number of bands, clothing and other standards, and awards titles and titles. In fact, our country not only has many types of music, but also has many musical instruments with national characteristics. The most famous and most used instrument by bands during the celebration is Steelpan. This is an instrument invented by the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is made of discarded oil barrels and is also known as Cinema 1950 witch cloth draw as one of the youngest musical instruments in the world.
I spent my entire childhood and youth in this multicultural country, butA coincidence changed my life trajectory, and my life underwent some unexpected changes.
In December 2019, I came to China. At that time, the epidemic broke out and many flights were cancelled, so I couldn’t return to my hometown. My relatives all suggested that I apply to a university in China, and I also think this may be a good choice. Although Cinema 1950 witch cloth drawI am Chinese, but I grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, and I rarely have the opportunity to really get involved in Chinese culture. Many things have been heard from my parents. Therefore, I decided to stay in China and personally experience the characteristics of Chinese culture. After considering all kinds of considerations, I Babaylan 1990 cloth draw chose the clinical medicine major at Jinan University and stayed in Guangzhou to start my college career.
Photo of Michelle participating in school hockey activities
When I stayed in China Babaylan 1990 cloth draw, I had a brand new cultural experience and began to try to understand Chinese culture. Whether it is lifestyle, learning environment or cultural traditions, China has brought me a different feeling. Babaylan 1990 clothes draw
When I first arrived in Guangzhou, the first thing I felt was that the climate here was very different from the climate in my hometown. Our country is in the southern Caribbean, with no obvious seasonal changes and relatively small temperature changes. It is basically in a not-so-hot summer throughout the year. In the summer and winter of Guangzhou, there are very large temperature changes. In addition, it is very humid, so the entire climate needs me to adapt to the adjustment.
Unlike the huge difference in climate, the food in Guangzhou is very consistent with my taste. My parents are both Chinese, and I have been exposed to Chinese food culture since I was a child. Especially my mother is a native of Guangzhou, and the main daily dish at home is Cantonese cuisine, so I have a diet in Guangzhou.Habits feel very adaptable and enjoyed.
Not only that, the two countries also have differences in their study habits. I found that many Chinese students prefer to study in libraries, while students abroad have relatively more flexible choices. We will stay in dormitories, coffee shops, libraries or friends’ residences Babaylan 1990 clothes draw. We don’t think too much about choosing a learning environment, while Chinese students tend to choose quieter places, which may make them more focused on their own affairs.
Babaylan 1990 clothes drawPhoto of Michelle attending the school teacher-student sports meeting
When I live outside of study, I can more truly feel the difference between China and my hometown Cinema 1950 witch cloth draw. The biggest difference in life in China is the widespread popularity of using mobile payments. In my hometown, cash payments are still common. Chinese people use their mobile phones to do almost everything, including buying things, taking buses, paying electricity bills, etc. This convenience surprised me very much, and my friends over there felt incredible when they heard the news.
What surprised me even more was that I found that China has a very long and rich culture and history, and the city has developed very rapidly. Many modern buildings are emerging, but some ancient buildings are also preserved. SoKomiks 1960 witch cloth drawI had the opportunity to see what I used to look like and imagine the life of my parents when I was a child through these previous buildings, which allowed me to establish a connection with the past.
The cultural differences I have experienced and felt in China have also made my relatives and friends curious. They like to ask me about my life here and Chinese culture. They are very happy to learn new culture, and I think they will also want to come to China one day. At that time, I will take them to visit my campus, as well as some places that retain ancient buildings and have a very humane atmosphere in Yuexiu District and Liwan District, Guangzhou. This may allow people who do not understand the culture here to feel the development history and changes here.
When I was in China, I always liked to use the word “home” to summarize the connection between me and this country. Because this is my parents’ home, it is also my home. The people around me are from the same race and culture, and we have almost the same traditions, morals, and values. This commonality makes me feel that I am very safe here and easy to integrate into the community. When I was a child, I didn’t have a strong sense of nationality. But as I grew up, I appreciate my race and culture more and more. Now, I feel that I am part of Chinese culture, and China has become my home.
While understanding Chinese culture, I also hope that the people here will understand the culture of my hometown. In fact, because my country has a small land area and is not very famous. Few people learn about our country’s culture and life, and may not even be familiar with the name of our country. I Komiks 1960 witch cloth drawIn the past few years of living in China, I have never met anyone from the same country as me. Therefore, I think I am one of the few people who spread the culture of our country. I really want to share the culture of my hometown with the Chinese people here so that everyone can understand my country better.
The university life I spent in Guangzhou in the past few years has made me get used to the culture here. And as a Chinese, I hope to have the opportunity to continue to depict my life trajectory in China in the future.