My Yichang story is, In Fact “My story in China “.My journey to China happened so unexpectedly that even now my relatives, friends and even i cant believe. I am from South India, Kerala (“kELALA”) tagged as “Gods own Country” and this is my first overseas journey. With an mission to graduate in medicine,my destination for fulfilling it ,was decided all of a sudden.
China was quite familiar to me through my Sister, who graduated from Wuhan university much earlier than my arrival. Before my decision making my family had a thorough inquiry about all aspects of yichang in every possible angle and we were satisfied with the Initial survey and I was all set to grab my flight to Wuhan.I was soo happy that i am going to study from a historic place which is the second largest city of HUBEI Province,site of the Battle of Yiling in 222AD and holding the worlds largest power station THE THREE GORGES DAM in terms of installed capacity.
On October 2013 ,I along with many of my classmates reached Wuhan Airport.I still remember the day with full of anxiety ,artificial confidence and boldness in an attempt to prepare for life in China,with only aim of obtaining a doctorate degree overcoming all barriers.
I preferred to reach yichang from wuhan through Road.This first domestic journey was so impressive watching beautiful landscapes and culture, through both windows of Bus.The impact of plantations across , well laid roads ,traffic and cleanliness lies deep in my mind till date.
From next day of my arrival, i came across the most adventurous situation in my life,that is managing my eatables.My Chinese teachers helped me a lot in solving this issue.During the initial Chinese classes I felt like i am sitting in Hanyu Kindergarten with all the “a”,”e”,“b”,t” sounds. I was so interested to make a good base and master Chinese as i know that Chinese is the most popular language after English at the same time i want to show my pride by sending messages in Chinese to my friends in India. As the days passed by,even without my knowledge now i am able to take case histories with the patients during my clinicals in Zhongxin Yiyuan in Chinese !! Chinese !!
The character and Polite hospitality of the Yichang natives has consumed a huge space in my heart. The main worry and anxiety for foreign students and parents equally will be about their acceptance among them being a foreigner with a different appearance and language.This was a common query which always popped up in our minds.But i should say they never ever teased me with their strange look even which made me feel so comfortable as in my home. When i checked with foreign friends here, this “home away from home feel “ persists in their mind too with the same intensity of mine. I also thank Yichang natives deep from my heart for patiently listening to my toneless Indian slang Chinese. Whom ever i met was so polite,kind,honest and helpful.They all were equally interested to know about India ,culture and my family as i was interested in knowing China,culture here and people. I found that almost everything is almost similar and same and at times i totally developed dementia that i am in an different country.
Indians have a strange and scary concept of Chinese that here in China people Eat anything alive, even the insects !! .After reaching here my eyes were interested to see such events,searched almost everywhere around and i failed.Later i realized it is just a myth.I understood that uncommon foods are not a common life style of China.Initially i was surprised to see the “ eating while walking” style of Chinese which is not a frequent seen in my country. Slowly by now i too adopted this style and i enjoy thoroughly this unique “eat while walk “ style.
During my vacation i used to treat my family with Baozi,Jiaozi,Bing cooked by myself and Special noodles brought from Beishan to create a Chinese experience in them too.i even taught them how to use ‘kuai zi” and they thoroughly enjoyed this experience and by now they too are familiar with some basic dishes of Yichang.
Even though i couldnt get many Indian spices here,I could manage cooking with available things here and by now i discovered to make a hybrid variety of dishes named myself as Yindu-zhonguo style. The varieties of oranges,melons,Apples,grapes that i could taste in my life is from Yichang only.
Now its time to speak about my dream for which i am here.From the appearance itself i could imagine the long history of my college -the Prestigious China Three Gorges University popularly known as CTGU among us.It is more than what we can imagine from the browsing site.I need to say it is “Everything under one Roof”. By now i have a long list of teachers who amazed me with their knowledge,teaching style ,behavior ,care and their fluency in English. I am sure that many of students among us would have though at least for a while that we should become like them one day. They are always ready to work for us anytime. I can say undoubtedly by now that this is one of the precious fortune i could obtain in my life and i feel a heavenly happiness when any teacher recognize me.Initially i was bit uncomfortable with The University class pattern of 1 hour 40 minutes with ten minutes break in between.Later i realized that this type of class pattern is much beneficial.By now i am adapted to this teaching style completely and i have decided that during my professional life in my country if there is an opportunity i will recommend this teaching style to Indian colleges too (where currently one class hour is only 45 minutes in India )
It has been more than 3 and half years since i have been to Yichang.I have my practical classes in Zhongxin Hospital.This was a great life time experience for me.It was an apt opportunity to travel deeply through the life of yichang natives.Almost all of them are so surprised and eager to see us interacting with them. A t the pediatrics department ,i enjoyed seeing babies.Some of them stopped crying after seeing us and some started crying after seeing us.The doctors in the hospital was so kind enough that they without fail took keen interest in explaining things ,sharing their valuable knowledge even during their busy schedules.I realized from them that becoming a good hearted doctor is not that easy Job.Indeed our Zhongxin hospital with its vast infrastructure ,real talented staffs and advanced facilities is a real wonder for anyone !!
Another thing i would like to highlight is the health consciousness of Yichang natives and their everlasting thirst for becoming fit.Regardless of their age,sex every one is interested in the “evening dance sessions” .As a small kid i used to stop eagerly when ever i watch these kind of sessions. I am so amazed by the fact that they perform their exercises steps in a perfect co-ordinated manner. I tried doing some besides and realized that even though they appear simple they are not that easy as i see. The water bottles with herbal leaves is the one healthy thing i could adopt without difficulties!!The honesty and hardworking nature of Chinese people influenced me a lot and inspired me to adopt this quality.I am sure that these wonderful qualities had lead to the wondering creations of China.
The years i spend here went on like a bullet train and every day i feel that my relationship with this country is very long and not just these 3 and half years.Now i realize that i have hardly an year left with me to enjoy this privilege. So now a days i started listing out things which i wish to complete before leaving here making my experience even more fruitful. I biggest dream by now is to visit the great wonder- “The China Wall”. I am sure that i am going to miss the long winter,the natural land scape,refreshing breeze of Yangtze,colorful mind blowing peach flower festivals,the moon cake, Chinese dishes and Chinese families . But i am sure that i am going to return home not only with the satisfaction of achieving my dream but also with a never-everlasting happiest memories from china.I learned the art of finding happiness with simple things. If there is any more chance surely i will stay back in Yichang and i am proud to say to my future generations that i also was a part of China ! I now realize that this first step is strong enough to walk a thousand miles ahead confidently.
-Your’s Lovingly,
SOWMYA CHITRA.S.S
2013928199,Medical College,CTGU