Speaking the right language
Bushra Naz usually drops by the local markets after work to pick up cheap items and bargains just like other Beijing locals. After dinner she likes to lounge on the sofa and enjoy soap operas on TV or share the latest topics with her friends on her China’s micro blog equivalent of Twitter.
After spending 10 years in China, the 32-year-old Pakistani national has fitted comfortably into place and lives a life “much like numerous other local white-collar workers”.
“I enjoy my life here,” smiled Naz, who has worked as an Urdu language broadcaster for China Radio International for four years. “Now I feel so close to Chinese people that I don’t regard myself a foreigner.”
At their newly decorated apartment in Beijing, Naz, in her traditional gown of bright red, sat on the sofa with her husband and reminisced about her decade in China. Her husband moved from Pakistan to live with her following their marriage two months ago.
Even before she arrived, China was not wholly alien territory, said Naz. Her father had visited China several times, while her sister worked in Beijing.
“They would tell me about China every time they returned from a trip,” said Naz.
After switching between English and Chinese a few times, she politely asked to talk exclusively in Chinese, the language in which she is more proficient.
Her China experience began with the language, when she enrolled in a Chinese class after finishing high school in 2002. Later she was told about scholarships offered by Tongji University in Shanghai, and successfully became a Chinese major there.
In the first few months, life in China was harder than she had expected.
“I could communicate with my classmates in English. But it was difficult to get around,” she said.
Naz was afraid to go out, unless accompanied by Chinese friends. She often unconsciously used exaggerated gestures when talking, recalled Naz, laughing.
However, the language, especially the tones, seemed so difficult at first that she almost gave up.
“I was afraid that I might have to go back to Pakistan,” she said.
Naz is grateful to her language teacher, who spent two or three hours every week helping her practice. That time was well spent and her improvement was so rapid that she took first place in a test with 16 international students just a year after she began learning the language.
“Over time, I felt it was much easier to get along with people,” she said. “It’s really hard to understand the local culture and melt in with local people if you can’t speak the language.”
She later moved to a university in Beijing, where her sister was working for a joint venture.
Naz decided to stay in China when she was offered a job as a broadcaster by her current employer. She works on three programs, which keeps her busy.
“I love this job. The most charming part is that it allows me to meet different people and create programs on a variety of topics,” she said. Her favorite topics are music, health, and culture.
Her work also allows her to travel around China and participate in important events.
In 2010, she covered the World Expo in Shanghai, where she had two unforgettable weeks.
“Besides visiting a lot of interesting pavilions, I got to meet many of my compatriots there and learned that exchanges between Pakistan and China are increasing,” she said.
Her language skills have been an advantage in her work and have helped her easily fit in with the work culture.
“She has no difficulty communicating with us at all. She always understands our humor, even when we joke in Chinese,” said Naz’s colleague Chen Xiang.
Naz’s easygoing personality has allowed her to make friends with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds, according to Chen.
“She often joins us in different activities. We often celebrate traditional Chinese or Muslim festivals together, and the tasty food she prepares is always keenly anticipated,” said Chen.
Naz tries to live a full life in her leisure time, especially through cookery, her favorite hobby. With the help of colleagues from across China, she has learned to cook a range of Chinese dishes.
As her command of Mandarin has improved, Naz has also learned to better appreciate Chinese culture and history, she said.
“After traveling around, I am impressed by the diversity of Chinese society,” said Naz. “And as I stay here longer, I can always find something new about the country.”
Her long stay in China has allowed her to gain a deep understanding of the country. She was invited to meet with Party leader Xi Jinping in December, to share her views about working as a foreign expert in China.
“I was really impressed by his decision to meet with foreign experts and his appreciation of our work in China. It was one of the greatest moments of my time here,” she said.
Naz returns to Pakistan at least once a year during her annual vacation, and shares news of the latest developments in both countries during the reunions with her family.
“I’m keen to tell my friends and family about China’s development. My parents say I am more like a Chinese person now, because I keep saying ‘China, China, China’,” she laughed.
Naz, who is studying for a master’s degree in international relations, plans to stay in China with her husband.
“She speaks Chinese very well. It’s an advantage for me,” said husband Zafar Hussain, who worked as a radio broadcaster in Pakistan. “I think there are lots of opportunities for me and other foreigners, because China is growing fast economically.”