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Chinese Language: A bridge Connecting Me with A Billion
—— C. Ajibola
When I was younger, I’d hear stories about a place where the elderly gather together at night to practise Taichi, where the culture was so rich, the food so diverse and where the language was made not of letters but pictures. If you’d told me then, that in the future, I’d end up living there for two years, I’d never have believed you.
At the age of 11, I was given the opportunity to learn Chinese at school and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I remember late nights of copying characters over and over, trying (and failing) to pronounce tones correctly and staying after school every Friday for three years to study the language.
Then at the age of 16, on an ordinary day, I found out that I’d been successful in my application to study in China for two years and I’d be leaving in a month. I still have trouble believing it is true to this day.
Now, I’m here. And it’s everything I dreamed of and more. The opportunity I’ve been given to connect with, and experience Chinese culture is one I’ll forever be grateful for. I’ve been given the chance to build relationships with people I would never have met otherwise. I’ve been given insight into their lives, coming to understand our differences but, above all, the things that make us similar.
I believe the most powerful thing we can have in this world is global unity and that requires coming out of our comfort zones, humbling ourselves and persevering. This program gave me the opportunity to do that. For example, I sang a Chinese song at the Battle of the Bands Nanjing, and I have been giving English reading lessons to younger year students for a few months now. Lack of understanding between cultures is an ever-growing problem and someone needs to bridge that gap.
Whilst being here I’ve tried fruits I didn’t even know existed like Chinese quince and starberries. I’ve been to 6 different cities including Beijing and Wuxi (my favourites), seeing China through a different lens each time, and falling deeper in love with it.
I’ve also become very independent and self-aware. Whilst at this school, I have met the smartest, most talented people. It wasn’t until I arrived here, that I realised aiming for full marks in an exam was worth a shot. I’m constantly surrounded by so much excellence that I can’t help but desire the absolute most for myself. While studying here, I have realised what I’m capable of and I continue to strive for the best. I’ve played badminton against the finest, rowed against the fittest at Henley, sang with the most talented musicians and studied alongside the brightest.
Finally, I’ll speak about my Chinese. When I first arrived, I thought my Chinese was pretty good seeing as I had attained a 9 at GCSE. However, I remember, in my early days, speaking in Chinese to a few people and them asking me to speak English instead because they didn’t understand, which was quite disappointing. However, I’m so proud to say that this is no longer the case. The Chinese environment has improved my proficiency to the point where I can now speak confidently to my friends and strike up conversations with strangers too! I even accidentally speak Chinese to my mum sometimes and am proud to have successfully completed my HSK 4!
This scholarship program has given me the means to connect with and understand roughly 1 billion more people than I could before I came here and that means everything to me.
[Every year, the Wycombe Abbey International China Scholarship Programme selects approximately 10 scholars to study at its campuses in WASCZ. These scholars benefit from an international curriculum seamlessly integrated with rich experiences of Chinese culture. They engage in meaningful interactions with local students, fostering cross-cultural understanding and growth. This unique platform allows Chinese and international students to learn from one another, make shared progress, and develop a deeper global perspective. ]
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