Ability to adapt

In March 2004, Bo came to Nigeria’s Bauchi State as part of the South-south Cooperation Program of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). But frankly, he said, the first days were hard on him.

During the first month of the mission, Chinese experts stayed in a hotel. It was during this period that Bo discovered a unique culture.

As the days are long and scorching hot in Bauchi, many local people spend hours sitting and chatting in the shade under mango trees. While Bo was silent and reserved at first, his curiosity eventually led him to take part in their conversations. This step enabled him to exchange with local people and allowed him to gradually “acclimatize” to local life.

“Cultures in Nigeria and China are quite different. But rather than complaining, it is better to change our own ways while communicating with local people, and get along with them in their ways,” he said. He noted that guided by this attitude, he found it’s quite easy to communicate with local people. “Getting along well