WDK Watch: “I Now Have a Deeper Appreciation for Other Cultures"
advertisement
Welcome to Wudaokou Watch, where we profile a different Beijing-based student from abroad each week to hear about their life in China's capital. You can read the whole series here:
What is your name, and what brings you to Beijing?
My name is Tamika Peart and am from Jamaica. I came to Beijing as a scholarship recipient of a Ph.D. at China Agricultural University. Outside of that, growing up, I always believed that life was about more than just going to the usual foreign countries frequently explored by Caribbean nationals (Canada, USA, and the UK). I really wanted to experience a totally foreign culture. Moreover, I have always had an interest in poverty eradication, and so, this meant that China sat at the top of my list.
How is life in Beijing different from your home country?
Well, for starters, sometimes I exercise at 11pm and even 3am and I do not feel afraid as a female walking on the street alone in dark places. Life in Beijing is also very fast paced. Everything happens on time, and so, when you are told that a particular bus leaves at 8am, sometimes the bus leaves 7.59am. Therefore, being on time means being before time. Other subtle but profound differences are that Sundays are just like ordinary days, where classes are held and in some rural parts of Beijing, public lights are turned off at 10pm.
advertisement
Beijing also has a culture of healthy living. Here, senior women dance in the evenings as a form of entertainment and exercise, people jog on the sidewalk and there are several parks across the city that enable meditation and facilitate healthy living through other forms of exercises. The cheap cost of food is also something I take advantage of. In fact, I rarely ever cook because Beijing has an admirable local gastronomy. Last but not least, one of the biggest differences is that Beijing and China has a cashless society. I do most, if not all, my financial transactions via my cellphone. This is something I appreciate; banking on the go. I will really miss this.
What are the biggest challenges for you here?
Firstly, I learned that Chinese food in the Caribbean is not really Chinese food. It really took me some time to eat outside of the usual fried rice and fried noodles. Having an allergic reaction to dairy meant eating at some places was a challenge. For some reason, too, I had major hair loss and I was told that the water was too hard for my hair. I eventually had to use drinking water to wash my hair. Initially, I thought that everywhere was far, but I eventually adjusted and walking became easier. Also, the Beijing dialect was tricky for me to understand sometimes.
Where do you like to hang out when you're not studying?
As a student, I loved going to Wudaokou and Sanlitun to eat foreign food and meet up with foreign friends and the various networks I got involved in. I also spent much of my time in parks with senior women dancing in the evenings. I did not have a favorite hang out per se, however, Beijing culture has taught me that traveling is an important part of personal development. Subsequently, every major holiday I would be asked: “Where are you traveling on this holiday?” Consequently, every opportunity I got, I would travel across China, Asia, and Europe.
What do you do when you are feeling homesick?
I would dance with the senior women in the parks. I found it to be very therapeutic. Also, there were many nights I struggled to sleep and my solution was to jump on my bicycle and ride across Haidian. I also developed a passion for doing 5km walks in the rain. The latter was most relaxing.
What do you love most about Beijing?
In Beijing, individuals are not judged by the clothes they wear. As such, dressing becomes a personal expression of who you are. Therefore, it has enabled me to become a better version of myself. Prior to coming here, I believe I was very superficial. There were many things I thought I never could exist without. Living here, I realized that I really do not need much to be happy. Instead, I learned the value of communal living and the inherent compromises, patience, and tolerance that are involved. In essence, Beijing has taught me the importance of living in the moment and making the most of them, as opposed to being materialistic. Additionally, living in Beijing enabled me to feel more like a global citizen. I woke up every day to the realization that as human beings, we are more alike than how we differ. The result is that I now have a deeper appreciation for other cultures, races, and lifestyle choices.
What is your most memorable Beijing experience?
My most memorable Beijing experience is the time I got lost. Sometimes I took a bus on the wrong side of the street and stumbled upon a new friend and community in the process. However, in these moments, Beijingers (even those who were busy) would walk me to the nearest subway station or bus stop.
How has life in Beijing impacted you?
I am more health conscious now than prior to living in Beijing. I now constantly think about food quality, and poor food quality is not just a Beijing reality; on my visits home, I am also very selective concerning my food choices. Thus, I make healthier eating choices, exercise more, and make a concerted effort to protect my mental health and wellness.
What inspires you and what are your future plans?
My inspiration sits with the women of my family. They have given me everything they never had, and this is what drives me to continue chasing my dreams. I simply cannot fail them or myself. At a personal level, I have an unending drive to help people to move out of poverty, develop rural spaces, and positively promote the continent of Africa. Consequently, I plan to return to my country to work in policy and planning at the national level, while working with local communities on various research projects.
Photos courtesy of Tamika Peart
advertisement
Want to know what awesome events are happening in town? Scan/Extract the QR code above to get the list of our Editors' Picks.
Got something to sell? Looking for a job? Or an apartment? Then scan/extract the QR code above to visit our Classified Ads.
Do you have what it takes to be a True Runner?
Scan/Extract the QR code above to check out our current job openings.
The Beijinger
Always something fresh
Scan/Extract this QR code to follow us!