My name is Ganzhena and I’m from Thailand. Just like everyone I love my hometown and my mother country because that is where I was born and brought up. However I also fallen in love with another country---China. I love China because of people living in this land.

 

It was never my dream to live in China. Before arrive in China I can’t speak Chinese at all and I didn’t know what attracted me to go to China. I think it’s fate.

 

Since I decided to study in China, there are a lot of objections from my friends and relatives. But we couldn’t resist the fate and I finally arrived in China on August 8th, 2007 with a mixture of complicated emotions.

 

Because it was the first time I study aboard in a totally unfamiliar environment and I had to get along with people who speak a different language, I feel very lonely in the beginning and really couldn’t get used to it. I took my meals alone and don’t have any friends. One day I finally had courage and began to talk with some Chinese people. After a while they asked: “Are you used to here?” The simple greeting immediately warmed my lonely heart and I feel like receiving a warm caring from family.

 

“How long have you been China? You speak Chinese so well.” This is usually what my Chinese friends said to me. I knew my oral Chinese is not very good like they described, but these are very encouraging messages to me. As we all know, Chinese is one of the most difficult language in the world, so there are many people gave up halfway with no more confidence and motivation. I appreciate my Chinese friends and the reason why I study well is their encouragements. No matter how difficult it is, I will never give up!

 

Gradually I have made more and more friends and have been to many places full of Chinese characteristics. I started actually understand Chinese people little by little. It turns out that Chinese people speak loud because they are very warm and generous rather than they are rude. Chinese people often say “Manman zou”, “Manman chi”, “Manman Lai”. It doesn’t mean they like doing things inefficiently. It is a way showing they care about you and it is a friendly reminder of how to do things carefully. Chinese people like lightly flavored dishes because they pay attention to health and even change their diets in different seasons. Exercise every day is another way to preserve their health. You can find lots of people take exercise in many places such as playgrounds, parks and roadsides. What impress me most are those elderly people. They are good at dancing with merry and full of energy.

 

From fear and uncomfortable to full of confidence and adopting, I’m surprised by my changes. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics I have bought a t-shirt printed words “I Love China” and cheered for China. When the Chinese team won the championship and Chinese Anthem was played, I was deeply moved.

 

I have been in China for 4 years. I couldn’t say I understand China completely but through these 4 years my view of China had a big change. If you ask me now whether I like living in China. I would tell you without a doubt: I love China!