Learning about life, culture and business at Chinese summer camp
Belinda at the Confucius Institute headquarters in Beijing.
By Belinda Kanyi Gabiro
WHEN many people think of China, the nation’s bold red flag springs to mind, as do uniformity, a hardworking people, diligent students and recently unexplained fashion trends. Spending the summer at Tianjin Normal University Confucius Institute opened my eyes to what life in China is about.
The intensive nature of the language and cultural programme designed by the Confucius Institute demonstrated Chinese attitudes to work and study; uniform and long working hours. The mornings would consist of language classes; which enabled me to navigate life in China and develop a richer understanding of the culture.
When you're in a foreign country, free time is not for slouching around but exploration time. After class, the city was entertaining, each day presented an opportunity to get lost and learn something new. Failing to find my way back from the metro station, I found myself surrounded by street food, a market and square where middle aged women danced in red. I grabbed the first street vendors offer, what he made I couldn’t tell you but watching was amusing enough to try it. My supper, wrapped in a paper bag, served as an entertainment snack for watching the square dance, a nationwide tradition which encourages health and cohesion for the older people.
Chinese eating culture is a reflection of who the people are. At the dinner table was where I began to appreciate that Chinese people value community. Eating together was the backbone of the culture. The host ordered the dishes and like a buffet, we would share the platter. The table is designed to rotate for everyone to try the food. Even when I couldn’t contribute a word to the conversation, I felt a part of the party. Certainly, eating is a core element of life in China. When you are fed, you are well. In fact, when you see an acquaintance, it is more natural to ask 'have you eaten?' or 'where are you going?' as opposed to 'how are you?'.
Traditions that have stood the test of time such as the Beijing Opera otherwise known as 京剧 (Jin Ju) narrate the long-standing history. One of my favourite archetypal characters of the Beijing Opera include the young virgin girl, the emperor, the warrior, and most well-known, is the drunken concubine. Traditionally these are performed by men who have trained from an early age to bend in conformations of ballet, and gymnastics and sing at supernaturally high notes – in an orchestrated story without words.
The experience of cultural exchange, that I encountered with 刘妍妮 (Li yan ni), a Chinese literature student, who was a volunteer for the summer programme opened my mind to a new ‘normal’ while on a coach journey to Beijing’s Forbidden City. We shared our values, our frustrations as young ladies, the pressures we faced in society and marvelled at our differences and giggled at our similarities.
Experiencing life in China, for me was living life with locals, through study, conversation, song and food. I was immersed in a culture that inspired me to celebrate my own.
With a deeper understanding of China, I am able to continue to share knowledge about life and business culture in China. I seek to continue to publish case studies, articles on topical issues and be an ambassador for relations with China through giving talks at the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce.
My participation with the language and culture summer school was made possible by the ongoing support from the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce’s Henry Samman Endowment Fund, the University of Hull Confucius Institute and the Sir Philip Reckitt Educational Trust.
Summer camp students in a calligraphy class.
