One of my very last experiences in China was my trip to Fuzhou, which is located in South China, across the water from Taiwan. This required a domestic flight out of Shandong province and a short stay with one of my friend’s relatives for about a week. I selected this experience as a continuance of my learning of different cultures and language within China, making it astonishingly obvious that China is ONE HUGE country. From the landscape, to the weather (it was much, much hotter), to the behaviors and customs, Fuzhou was both beautiful and drastically different than the populous cities of the North.
The air pollution was much lower, considering the number of people and continuous traffic in the area I stayed. My global perspective was opened to accept that so many differences exist within this country, even though in my mind, I knew I hadn’t left China. This country felt more like a small planet of its own and served as a wonderful example of how life really is outside of the US (and outside of China, as well).
My special “aha moment” was simply learning how to live with a local family in Fuzhou. The family traditions of keeping their parents close was evident in the apartment next door, specially rented just to house the family’s in laws. We also sat and enjoyed dinner “as a family”, even if we were eating out in a restaurant. They really went out of their way to be amazing hosts to us 3 girls staying there, even though for a short time, by offering us an enjoyable short study tour of their city, the countryside and experiencing what it’s like to be a part of their family. This overall experience in Fuzhou made me feel like I was leaving where I belonged and not the other way around. I have learned to keep an open mind, to do my research and practice what I have learned with the people around me. I continue to tell stories and share my experiences about China to others, as a way to bridge the gap of ignorance. I will never forget my time in China.