Wudaokou Watch: "I Am Enormously Proud of My Heritage"

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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. The first Wudaokou Watch interview was published in October 2018, and we eventually aim to feature a student from every country in the world. 

My name is Catia Vera Cruz, I am from Sao Tome and Principe, a small island off the central west coast of Africa. I am currently doing my bachelor's degree at the University of International Business and Economics, majoring in international finance and investment.

People generally do not know much about my country. Whenever I say I am from Sao Tome and Principe, most people ask me if it is in the Caribbean or if we speak French. Actually it’s an island located in the western part of Africa and consists of two main islands: Sao Tome, the bigger one, and Principe, which was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2012. Additionally, we were a Portuguese colony and we still speak the language to this day.

At first, I thought of Beijingas a destination for studies: a place where I’d stay for five years, the time needed to get a degree, and go back to my home country. However, since I’ve been here, every day has felt like a new experience with different challenges. I’m convinced that the Jing-experience is far from its end. I’ve met amazing people from all over the world with different backgrounds and beliefs, making me discover new cultures.

The challenges and daily adventures I’ve found myself in have helped me grow into a better person, and even though some of them have left scars that will never go away, they’ve also helped me to bloom. Moving to Beijing has been one of the most transformational decisions in my life.

I don’t think I would choose to become a Chinese citizen if I had the choice. I really like China and I think Chinese people are very welcoming but I am enormously proud of my heritage and the community I grew up in, and it is a significant part of my personal identity. I am particularly proud of the authentic and generous way of life that is practiced in my country. People live with so little but they are always happy and willing to share the little they have. Wherever I go, I try to represent that.

One thing that everyone should experience while in Beijing is the acrobat show at the Beijing Chaoyang Theatre, such a fascinating and perfectly precise performance that takes your breath away. Completely amazing!

When I leave China, the thing that I will miss the most is the people, not only the locals but the foreigners as well, the people we meet, the stories and memories we make with them, and the way they make you feel like if you knew them from long ago. It's almost like family, and something that I will always be grateful for.

In China, people are committed regardless of the time, the weather, or the place. They will always deliver on time and that’s one thing I really admire. Establishing a culture of discipline at this level would benefit my country or any country for that matter.

Recently, my country banned the selling of plastics in the hope of promoting a cleaner environment. I believe this or other policies along the lines of environmental protection would do great if implemented here.

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One mistake that I'll never make again in China is going to a counterfeit market and not bargaining!

Once I graduate I plan to move to another country for supplementary studies just for 1-2 years then return home to help with my family business and possibly start my own company as well.

This is the country where opportunities knock on your door every day, so if you dream big, everything depends on you to make it happen.

Images courtesy of Catia Vera Cruz

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