Wudaokou Watch: “I Am Inspired by the Hard Work, Patriotism, and Time Management of Chinese People”

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.

My name is Lemi Chala Tamire, and I come from Ethiopia. I am a student supported by MOFCOM Scholarship. Ethiopia is known for having Olympic Gold medalists and was one of the few countries in Africa that were not colonized. Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa, it is best known for its rock-hewn churches and is the place where coffee bean was originated. I am happy to tell you that the "first person in Ethiopia" was Lucy, an Australopithecus girl, locally known as Dinkenesh, who lived 3.2 million years ago.

Back home I was an assistant lecturer in one of the public university in Ethiopia. To be a lecturer, serving the country at the full potential requires adequate knowledge and skill in a specific field. To acquire how international knowledge and experience in the development-related field, I came to Beijing to study for my master’s degree in rural development and management studies at China Agricultural University (CAU). Now I graduated from this esteemed university, I will share the lesson I learned from China related to rural development and Chinese Development model to the students I teach.

There is no easy and short cut way in life, ups and downs are always there. Going far away from home and family was difficult for me. When I left home, two years ago I wasn't sure what I'm going to face, excited but at the same time little scared of the new reality. Beijing was the first capital city outside Ethiopia that I would be living on my own. I was prepared to learn, explore and make new friends. I used to my life in my home country, living under the guidance of parents and elders. In Beijing, it was all different, I had to establish and adopt a new way of life. Everything was strange and different to me. But today, I am proud to say that I made the right and best decision. In China, and CAU in particular, I have made so many friends, brothers, and sisters that I have a new, lovely, and bigger family than one I left back home.

I have encountered a lot of challenges as an international student during my stay in Beijing. The biggest things that challenged me was the weather (in winter it is very cold and summer very hot which is reverse of my country's climate and I was vulnerable to this environmental change). As well as the weather, food was also challenging for me. In Ethiopia, Injera [a type of sourdough flatbread] is our staple food but here in Beijing, I can't find my local food. Mostly, I eat rice, chicken, and vegetables. The third challenge during my stay in Beijing was the language barrier, especially when shopping. Chinese people in shopping centers thought that when I started communicating with them in basic business language to bargain that I was fluent in Chinese. Finally, because social media is blocked by the Chinese government in Beijing, it was a challenge for me to communicate with my family and friends back home.

When I feel homesick I call back my parents and chat with them. Sometimes I go back to my countrymates' rooms and discuss and chat with them about our social issues. Mostly, I spend my time reading academic books that are related to my field. In Beijing, Ethiopian drinks and food are not available.

I loved the hospitality of Chinese people in Beijing, they are very kind and often quick to help a foreigner.

My most memorable Beijing experience was when my countrymate and I performed our cultural dance during university cross-cultural carnival, that day we danced with my professor at the stage, I can't forget that moment throughout my life.

Life in Beijing has impacted me beyond my expectations. I acquired practical and theoretical knowledge, skill, and experience from my classes and research in the field. I was also able to improve my knowledge of international development through visiting guest professors from different continents.

I am inspired by the hard work, patriotism, and time management of Chinese people. Studying in China allowed me to tap into a world knowledge and critical skills from the most qualified global experts. This greatly improved my vision and ability to contribute optimally and help improve the livelihoods of poor communities around the world. I hope that in the near future I can pursue my Ph.D.

READ: "The Rich History of Beijing Is Just Amazing"

Photos courtesy of Lemi Chala Tamire