Filipino student: China is where I grew up
“A group of people insisted on going all the way. It’s not easy to be together. It’s even more remarkable to be together.” Twentyyear-old Filipino youth Chapel sings Chinese songs such as “Do not give up” affectionately. It is difficult to hear that this is a “foreigner” from his pronunciation.
Four years ago, Chapel came to the city of Zhangzhou, Fujian, China from the Philippines to study Chinese International Education at the School of Overseas Education of Minnan Normal University.
He, who loves to sing, never skimps on showing the achievements of learning Chinese songs. “Chinese is full of charm,” Chapel said. In the past four years, he has learned a lot of Chinese songs and also learned Chinese by singing Chinese songs. “Lyrics can help me understand the pronunciation, meaning and usage of Chinese characters,” he said.
In order to prevent and control the epidemic and reduce the risks, nine foreign graduates of the College of Overseas Education of the Minnan Normal University in 2020 cannot have a graduation photo, a graduation ceremony full of rituals or a goodbye to classmates.
Chapel only wore a bachelor’s suit and took a photo with two other foreign graduates returning to school. “It’s a pity, but I received a souvenir from the school and met all the teachers,” he said with emotion, experiencing a special graduation method under the coronavirus epidemic.
He said during the epidemic, he lived in the home of a Chinese friend, and the teacher often cared about him, “feeling that there is also a home overseas.” He also said the epidemic situation in China was under control, and the epidemic situation in his hometown of the Philippines was still grim. “My family and I are worried about each other,” he said.
“I came to China four years ago when I was 16 years old. I didn’t understand Chinese at that time. The first thing I learned were “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “I’m sorry” and “Thank you.” “But In recent years, I learned a lot,” Chapel said.
For the first time, he played the Guqin, made Chinese tea, and danced the big drums and umbrellas; participated in the guitar society; signed up for the top 10 singer competitions on campus, and won prizes in the talent show of international college students in Fujian Province and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan; visited lots of Chinese cities; loved Chinese dishes such as braised pork, spicy hot; and so on. Chapel said in the beginning, he was introverted and quiet, but is now cheerful and lively — China is the place where he grew up.
Speaking of learning international education in Chinese, Chapel admitted frankly, “It was really difficult when I first learnt Chinese; using quantifiers annoyed me.” He thought about giving up, “but thinking about the goal of coming to China has not been completed, I persevered. “
The experience of being an internship English teacher in the primary school affiliated to Minnan Normal University also made Chapel’s China experience unforgettable. He said the first lesson was “impressive.”“I like to get in touch with children. I was very confident at the time, but I was not prepared. I was nervous, low in voice, and too serious. Then I learned to have a sense of humor.”
Today, Chapel, who passed the HSK Level 5 exam, plans to return to the Philippines in a month. (HSK is Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi or the Chinese Proficiency Test.)
His wish is to be a Chinese teacher, and he will also apply for a master’s degree in Minnan Normal University to continue his studies. He smiled and said, “If I encounter questions from students in the future but can’t answer them, it would be too embarrassing.”
As a representative of foreign students who will speak at the “Cloud Graduation Ceremony” of Minnan Normal University, Chapel wanted to say: “Thank [you] China for giving me four years of youth without regret. I love you, China!”
He also addressed the foreign students studying in China: to cherish the time of studying in China, walk out, communicate more, and feel the culture and charm of this country.