I started to write my Yichang Diary on October 2013. Flying all the way from India to Wuhan to reach my destiny Yichang for a new beginning,i Stepped into the prestigious soil of China with a mission of adding an Star to my dream -“an MBBS degree from China Three Gorges University”. This was my first overseas experience !!
Before Landing china i had flight of anxious thoughts to know how true was my preformed idea with the “Live Yin-Yang experience” after landing. I prepared myself by mastering a few basic Chinese words expecting to master entire mandarin within 3-4 months and now i realize that it is very far away from reality, indeed the “Tai Chi” brains are too sharp enough to master this masterpiece language immersed in Art !!!
I experienced the gentle breeze of this country right from my first footstep in “Sanxia Daxue” with the polite nature of all the management staffs i met right from top to bottom of the hierarchy !
The Initial days in Yichang was very challenging for me.I almost struggled hard with everything swimming against the waves but i knew overcoming these days is the key in laying down a Successful foundation for my future stay here. Slowly i solved my issues one by one making way for everything i need and by now ‘Yichang’ for me is a perfect- “A better home away from Home “
Physiological Needs, Safety and Social Needs
As Abraham Maslow rightly said food and shelter is the basic physiological need of any human being to feel Secured. Being new to the country i had to rebuild everything right again. The biggest relief came to me when i realized that i can continue with my born principle of “Vegetarianism” ! The discovery of this possibility itself have put me in “comfort zone”.And by now i know to make some Chinese dishes too!! “BaoZi” has become one of my favourite now.I also overcomed by biggest challenge of eating everything with “KuaiZi”
The International Students dormitory was well equipped with all Safety measures best suiting to our needs.Love and respect prevailing in the environment (from my teachers and every yichang Ren i met ) provided adequate Oxygen Saturation to my each and every breath so far !
The University arranged some Chinese volunteers who had the Supernatural power to read our minds and perform Anabolic acts which would satisfy any Soul equally from any part of the Globe.
The best part of Yichang is its climate !! With its spontaneous changing nature i never felt bored.
Communication and Connectivity
A 4Gmobile network which is cheap enough to fit best within my pocket was all that i need .By updating myself with my beloved’s and “keeping the world in my hands” kept me sound and mentally healthy.
Keeping a “ Baidu “ translator and a We chat account relieved me a lot. I always had a offline dictionary too in my mobile named ‘’Cidian” .
Religion
I was astonished to note that for Chinese, their religion is only Love, Sacrifice, Respect for fellow beings, Hardwork and Sincerity all backed up and influenced by thoughts of great pioneers like “Confuscius”.At this point i had to redefine true meaning of Religion!
In order to cater needs of religions i could explore two churches,a mosque and a buddha temple.i personally love the divine environment and the sanctity preserved here.
Traffic and Transport
The right handed traffic is the new thing attracted me which was different from Left handed traffic practice in India.Now i need to think from my left brain to operate my gears!
The discipline in traffic reflected the discipline of people here too.People waiting for the green light to cross the road,and thier desciplinary protocols in public transport is very appreciable.
I also witnessed few road traffic Accident rescue in a very Systemic way. I believe the Hallmark of traffic control is the CCTV cameras installed in every corner which provides a room for constant monitoring and proper documented data.
Yichang is a not so crowded city but flooded with traffic in peak hours but not that it is demanding for a Metro Rail. I had my first Bullet train travel experience from here . The Railway system and safety features is very systematic and superb.
A strong and efficient transportation system is the key for development of any country and china is in right path !!
Travel and Leisure
There are many options to explore its rich culture and natural beauty.i have explored and captured Moji mountain,Sanxia dam ,Yiling Square and Yangzte river side. Sanxia dam visit astonished me with its marvelous engineering Skills !! Before exploring outside of the CTGU campus there are a lot of things to explore within the campus. I wish to explore this heaven(YICHANG) with my family for which i am planning to bring them before i leave from here.
Government
During my Short stay here i could witness many developments and reforms within Yichang and China. In Yichang, I witnessed the fast and rapid construction of roads coming in the form of BRT projects which is going to change the face of the city in near future.
It was a good leaning opportunity for me when CTGU arranged Learning opportunities on President Xi Jinping’s Vision and Strict Government policies. I could see almost everyone here in yichang is satisfied and very happy with the Government policies ,working hard yet preserving a smile on thier face. China is expected to become the world leaders in near future.Worlds 60 % of production contributed by china highlighting that it is impossible for anyone to stop their growth.
Shopping
Yichang is filled with variety of Option’s best fitting to cater individual needs. I love to buy fruits and vegetables from the local vendors.It is also a good opportunity for me to interact with them and prove again and again within me that we all human beings share the common feelings and emotion and are biased towards own family.I discovered that change in appearance and skin colour has no influence on it.
Beishan store chains are tailored to cater any needs. And for clothing and other purpose i feel there is no better place than CBD.
Although at the beginning i felt the living cost was bit high, by now like any yichang native i discovered to get things of my choice in a cheaper way .Thanks to “Taobao” and other online shopping sites through which i can shop anything sitting inside the 4 walls of my rooms.
PEOPLE
I always carry a smile along me now,it is learned art for me now from Chinese. When it comes to respect we should always adopt a “give and take policy “ .So in general as a rule we have to first give....but here i noticed a different trend, people here never wait for respect regardless young or old -they will just deliver it beforehand without any expectation !! Respecting and obeying elders is in the blood of every Chinese i saw !! I met so many people by now, traveled through their life by merely being a good listener and realized there is no shortcuts for their Success !
I experienced so many instances where i could experience the honesty of Chinese people which is simply amazing and inspires me a lot. People are very hardworking and self-disciplined, they deal every simple things with great care.
LIFE IN CTGU
Journey through China Three Georges University has a golden period of my life so far. I learned many things as a small child.....people here around have been so kind to answer all my curious question’s without failing to correct me whenever i went wrong.
This Journey have already occupied a huge space in my evergreen diaries. I am sure that my memories will always blossom like flowers in the big event-the Peach flower festival here!!
The well-equipped CTGU library and Zhong Xin hospital chains has always been my attraction !! My confidence level and outlook of life have changed totally. The Scholarship provided from college and provincial level has relieved me a lot from my financial burden and focus more on my studies. ZhongXin Hospital is a perfect place where I can carve myself.
I experienced the warmth and concern of people here in peak when i had to fly back to India almost 2 years back following my father’s Sad demise in an accident. Everyone supported me to such an extent that words are not enough to express it !! Now what more and why more i have to explain...THIS IS YICHANG...MY YICHANG!!
Powerful Country,Down to earth People,Strong Relationships,Disciplined Generation’s and what not here for me for not being Jealous !! I am Uncertain how long i am going to be here but the fact is- “Life is a journey it has to go on’’ but never ever I will forget you YICHANG !
-Your’s Sincerely,
Mangalath Hari (15571708936)
2013928147,CTGU.