Experience whether good or bad teaches you a lot. Usually this would be written in the end as moral of the story of any chapter but I wanted to keep it start. And this article slowly unveils how…..
During my growing or maturing years, teens to 20’s have been during my stay in China Three Gorgeous University (CTGU). Now being in fourth year as medical student, only a few steps are remaining to fulfill my dream of becoming a doctor which has not been an easy task. As I look back, it reminds me of my night where I had to catch my flight from India, Mumbai where I live for first time visit to Yichang. I was accompanied by my family, who had mixed emotions of joy and sorrow. I remember the time I had to depart from my family and say ‘goodbye’. Always sheltered under my parent’s wings, it suddenly dawned upon me that i would be away from my family. Being away from their love and care made me so emotional that I would have cried but somehow I hold back my tears.
After I boarded my flight, I was getting prepared to face various challenges of life. When I landed on Chengdu airport that was next flight i saw a group of Chinese guys telling us Dajiahao means ‘Hi Everyone’ in English. Before the travel, I had learnt few basic words in Chinese which helped me to converse with them. My anxiety had vanished thinking that even they were just like us and looking at their friendly gesture I had already started liking China. From there my next flight was from Chengdu to Wuhan where I was accompanied by a guide. She told us many things about Yichang. She said it is located at Western Hubei province after the Capital. Wuhan. From there I took a bullet train which was amazing and finally Yichang, where I was accompanied by my fellow seniors which gave me sigh of relief. Feeling safe and secure seated with them in a taxi and finally to China Three Gorgeous University (CTGU). There we first meet with security guards which took us to our rooms and there our batch mates greeted and comforted us. The tension which was built up was completely out of my mind now. There were so many kind and helpful people around me that I did not feel that I was in a foreign country.
Our agent form India had arranged for a Chinese escort to make us familiar around the place. So next day a pretty looking Chinese girl waiting for us downstairs at time allotted to her. She gave huge smile and greeted us which reminded me of my old school friend meeting after a long time. Then she started showing us different stores where we can buy foodstuffs, cake shop and canteen (Nanyuan) and ATM which is so near to our dorm. During that time she mentioned that Yichang is the second largest city in the province after the capital, Wuhan and that Three Gorges Dam is located within its administrative area, in Yiling District. Yichang is considered to be prefecture-level city located in western Hubei province of China.
Only little further 5 mins there are grocery shops, stalls where we can get readymade food like in Indian (Egg fried rice), noodles , Gambian cherou, Gambian tudou, Jindan bin etc….There are many but then I will end up writing about different delicious menu available here……hmmmm yummmmy!!!
So if one is worried about the food available in Yichang so don’t worry there are plenty of dishes which are tasty and if you ask me my favorite is Jidan Choufan. When I came here I first tasted that only in Nanyuan a fat laoban which the cook makes it so delicious that I ended up eating it every day, later we become so friendly that he started giving me in large quantities, appreciate his big heartedness. Then next day we went to city where there are different malls, shops and CBD which is a very famous around that area. Also around that place you can find KFC, McDonalds, Coffee shops and starbucks. She offered us lucha which is green tea here. In the beginning we didn’t like it that much but now it’s like I am drinking this only. We could manage to roam so much and see all these places as it was holiday. After getting the tour of the place, feeling was of me being in my own country but just seeing different people.
Then on Monday we went in for our first class which was Chinese. The lecturer tried her very best for insights to be interesting and enjoyable but we could not get a word as our admission was little late. So our teacher divided the class for students like us to give an opportunity to be at par with other students. Thank you soooo much Laoshi (means teacher).There we came across with students of different countries and different states of India other than I belong Maharashtra.
We started to share our culture information to each other getting to know more about them. I still remember the day when I called up my Mom and told her that I do not have to worry about anything as I am very happy here and which she could sense the way described the things which were happening here. I started to know about them and enjoying their company. Like Holi and Diwali are festivals which are celebrated in India on a large scale similarly in China both these festivals are celebrated by our inmates. There are other festivals like tomb sweeping Day and Dragon Boat Festival. While discussing, it came into mind about the breathing Ysmgtzi sunset view. So, thought of putting up photograph of the place for all readers to have the same experience.
Winter vacation, January to Feburary after our exams get over is a lot to enjoy. Its during this time that the Universities keep activities such as Jiazo making, it’s a dumpling where you can add vegetables, chicken and pork or beef. I tried to make but I don’t know how it happened …….…not a good chef. They also held calligraphy, badminton and table tennis and volley ball competition. This really helped International students to intermingle with all people and have good sportsman spirit. And as I mentioned before that I am not a good cook and in winter all hotels also remains closed that is when my friend started cooking for me. I actually felt that my sister was cooking for me.
But the sad thing is, winters are too cold also with snow falls. In India the temperature falls but which is not. This was first time ever that I had seen snow fall and so I went out with my friends and my biggest motto was to make snow balls and throw it out on my friends and make snow man. At that time i went out to roam like we went to Children’s Park where we could see Kung Fu panda at the entrance. There are beautiful rides and different greeneries with fresh air. There we saw so many Chinese ladies playing with their babies and when that babies looked at us they got so scared that they went screaming to their parents saying waiguo park (meaning foreign people). The garden was very beautiful and we enjoyed a lot going in different ride.
Then we went to Xia Laoshi. It is kind of forest were we really felt like we were going to have lot of adventure. From here we then went to Yangzi River. Its place which really makes your mind at calm and peace.I can assure you, you will forget all your problems with such good silence and good breeze, experience gives you feeling of being free of all your worries and tensions. And then later I see that there are many different things started to develop more efficient like China Three Gorgeous Dam.
Every year we have Peach festival at our college. This is the time of year where we all are awaiting for. All the students are wearing outfits which are representation of their own country. They have their stalls to showcase their culture, language and their lifestyle. So, all you students who are prepared to be a part of CTGU, your bags must have one outfit ready for this grand occasion.
Then there was a time when things were going bad to worse to worst. Was feeling very low so went out to get some fresh air and walked down to canteen I usually go to. There I saw same woman who used to give a big smile whenever she greets someone. But that day, the same lady when i looked at her seemed to be sad and felt bad about that. But when I went towards her to take my breakfast she gave me a big smile. I was so taken a back as she had all the right to be sad if she is but she did not. At that time all my tensions and sadness all of sudden had vanished and was feeling much better. The fundamental of life is there will be challenges one has to face and you may be all alone but it should not let you down. Life is unpredictable, and doesn’t matter how big your problem is you should not punish yourself by being sad first lesson which I learnt. Looking at my distress my friend asked me out, where I got introduced with her Chinese friends. When we meet them firstly there was lot of communication gap due to language issues but friendship is beyond such things. They were kind of doing some funny things that is singing and dancing in front of everyone which made us laugh so much. Then I got to know that these people put in so much of hardwork and.still they could manage to meet each other every night, have dinner together and not think about past or future but live in the present.It’s through them I learnt that one should also enjoy life along with hard work one puts in.I really enjoyed that day; those were one of best days in my life. Love you all!!
My stay at China Three Gorgeous University, Yichang made me released that whenever something happens in your life which unexpected or pulls you down, God always sends his people to protect and guard you. Many such incidence in my life showed that there will always be challenges but one must learn how to face them and overcome them and learning to live my life to the fullest.
Thank you and Kudos!!! to team of China three Gorgeous University for giving me this opportunity where I could express my thoughts and emotions.
Writen by PearlIrani