WDK Watch: “My Plan: To Be Genuine, Be Myself, and Stay Focused"
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In Wudaokou Watch, we profile a different Beijing-based student from abroad each week to hear about their life in China's capital.
Tell us your name and where you're from.
I'm Racheal Nabikolo and I'm from Uganda. I'm studying at the Beijing Institute of Graphics and Communication. Uganda is known as the pearl of Africa because of its natural wonders. It is colorful and welcoming, with friendly and joyous people. It’s situated at the heart of the African continent in the Nile Basin.
How is life in Beijing different from your home country?
Some of the major differences that interested me were Chinese New Year and the Chinese zodiac, with every year being represented by a different animal. The food, culture, weather conditions, and the time difference with family back home all took getting used to. Other differences are relatively minor and bearable in certain situations.
What are the biggest challenges for you here?
Communication. Many Chinese people are rarely are in contact with Western countries, which can make it difficult to speak with foreigners. That means you should learn at least a bit of Chinese, otherwise, you will not be able to interact much. The differences in cultures and social norms are also not very easy to navigate.
Another difficulty: many of my favorite websites and apps are blocked.
Name three of your favorite Chinese locales and why?
I have been to a few different places here in China like Guangdong, Guizhou, and Chaozhou. One of my favorite hangouts in Beijing is the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC, namoc.org) because it's one of the largest museums in the country. I also enjoy the Olympic Forest Park, mainly for its walking paths and small islands. The Imperial Garden of the Palace Museum (Forbidden City), meanwhile, has hilly natural landscapes and other features like temples and bridges.
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What do you do when you are feeling homesick?
I look for local international stores and stock up some food that I miss to at least comfort myself. I read my favorite books or watch my favorite movies. Through homesickness, I have learned to experience the bad in order to appreciate the good.
What do you love most about Beijing?
In Beijing, you can have it all in terms of food. There are so many local and international restaurants and lots of vegetarian options too. There are also plenty of opportunities to make new friends. I like visiting Jingshan Park and watching locals play badminton, or going to Lama Temple or Tiananmen Square.
What is your most memorable Beijing experience?
Walking the Great Wall of China. I decided to visit the Mutianyu section because of its classic look and restored portions. I also like how it is located among the rolling hills and mountains; the exact kind of landscape I'd always imagined it would have. Walking along the Great Wall is just one of the special travel experiences everyone should try at least once in their lives.
How has life in Beijing impacted you?
I have learned to respect diversity by meeting new friends from other countries and my host country. Most of the people I have met are ambitious, energetic, and motivated with a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds.
While here I also began to start thinking big beyond my own neighborhood and pushed myself out of my comfort zone. Beijing has given me challenges that I never dreamt of encountering, helping me develop a strange sort of confidence. I live on my own here, and things don't always come easily – from staying on top of my studies while finding part-time work to budgeting, cooking my own meals, cleaning the house, and more. All that makes your life become more organized and disciplined.
What inspires you and what are your future plans?
I always try to remember the saying: “If my mind is strong, all difficult things will become easy. If my mind is weak, all easy things will become difficult." This keeps me going. My plans are to be genuine, be myself, and stay focused. I want to be unique and hone my specializations, credentials, and networking, no matter how I advance in my career.
Are you a student in Beijing? Let us profile you and your unique experiences here. Drop us a line at editor@thebeijinger.com and we’ll get back to you to schedule an interview.
Images courtesy of Racheal Nabikolo
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