我爱徐州的青山绿水——大龙湖留念

　　我土生土长在非洲东南沿海的小群岛科摩罗,那里风光旖旎、美不胜收,对于游客和商业投资者来说拥有着不可抗拒的魅力。小时候,父亲常对我说:“心有多大,世界就有多大。”我离开家乡远赴中国求学,父母虽然舍不得,但还是支持我的决定。起初,中国和任何其他国家一样,对我来说是一个地理课本上的名字,慢慢地我明白了掌握不同国家的地理是为了理解和接受各种文化差异。小学毕业后,我就对对医学治愈创伤的神奇效用充满了好奇,因为我希望有朝一日能为治愈肆虐我国的一些疑难杂症贡献自己的一分力量。在父亲的帮助下,我和一位中国整形外科医生成为了朋友。那时,我还不能准确地读出他的中文名字,学习中文真是太富有挑战性了。我的中国朋友经常谈起中国,经常向我介绍中国的习俗和传统文化,这一切都激发了我学习汉语的兴趣。从小我就立志要成为一名医生,我告诉他我的计划,他建议我去中国深造,这样就可以“一举两得”,学医的同时学习中文。我听从了他的建议,申请赴中国学习临床医学。

实践出真知——和同学们在手术室里

　　得知我即将远赴中国求学时,奶奶哭了,她的泪水告诉我,她是多么的担心我,一个如此遥远的国家,一个完全陌生的地方,想想都让她寝食难安。“外星人”是她用来形容我在中国的形象!然而一向优柔寡断的我毫不犹豫地来到了中国。2013年10我进入徐州医科大学学习深造,成为了一名光荣的交流生。

　　此后,徐州成为我探索知识宝藏的地方。我一来到中国,就面临着一个巨大的挑战,那就是如何流利地用汉语与同学、老师及周边人沟通。最初的一年,我交流起来很吃力,但后来我明白了,提高我综合理解能力的最好方法就是拼命地练习。为了一次性通过HSK考试,我把所有的精力都放在了汉语学习上。功夫不负有心人,我在大二第一学期就通过了HSK3级考试,今年我对通过HSK4级考试也很有信心。我是交流生中少数几个学汉语仅一年就勇敢参加HSK3级考试的学生。在学校里,汉语只是一周不超过六小时的补充课程。我的汉语是零基础,通过慢慢地努力学习,与中国朋友和出租车司机练习等,我对学习汉语渐渐有了自信,勇敢报名参加了江苏国际汉语演讲比赛,在众多母语为汉语的人面前体验说汉语的感觉真是太棒了。另外,我抓住每一个机会,掌握尽可能多的信息,每次我出去,不管是在徐州还是在另一个城市,我都喜欢用汉语与别人交流。我相信,知识不仅是通过教学,也可以由我们所遇到的人来教会我们,人人都可以有东西教我们,哪怕是最普通的人身上也会有鲜为人知的发光点,它可以是一个普通人对你说的话,或者只是有礼貌微笑地看着你,毕竟“三人行,必有吾师”嘛!

　　因为江苏方言众多,在这里交流并非易事。虽然普通话是官方语言,但江苏有各种各样的口音和方言。每一次与中国人谈话时,我都需要拼命地抓住关键词,否则我会听得一头雾水。我想要完全融入到江苏的风俗和传统中去,因此吃遍了徐州周边的美食。我想要植根于到江苏的内心,于是去了解它的历史、它的演变、与中国其他省份的差异,并为此感到惊叹。在这里,我感受到人们的热情,学会了克服困难。在地图和背包的陪伴下,我开启了去各地探索的脚步,学会了入乡随俗,学会了正确的问路方式,更重要的是,我在这里有了家的感觉,徐州已经成为我的第二故乡。

　　我去过南京、邳州、连云港以及其他许多江苏省内的城市,当然还有省外的一些城市,如北京、上海、广州、武汉等。那些冒险的旅行让我意识到历史是如何影响和塑造了像江苏这样一个大省。南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆展示了历史残忍的一面,它让我了解到不人道的灾难性战争是怎样形成的,我得知1937年日本军队入侵南京,把南京变成一个人间炼狱,随意杀害、抢劫和强奸平民,这令人震惊的事件被称为“南京大屠杀”,这一切都令我感到痛彻心扉。我还参观了南京的许多地方,我发现南京是如此美丽又包容。短短几年里,南京已经成为对外国人最想来的中国城市之一。南京是如此的繁荣,充满惊喜,在这里古老文化与现代气息相互交汇,市民和谐相处。南京让我明白中国人是如何勇敢地战胜了那次暴行,并提醒我要学会不忘历史,展望未来。这座城市本身就是历史上伟大的一课,在接受过狂风暴雨的洗礼后变得更加璀璨、耀眼。

　　我最喜欢的地方之一还有连云港,它的城市发展速度让我震惊。两年前我去过那里,但今年来的时候我几乎认不出了。一切都好像是新的,基础建设、社会经济有了如此大的变化,让我不敢相信。我爬上云台山,大口地呼吸着新鲜空气。山顶上有一座寺庙,表明宗教在中国也有一定的影响力。自然景观是连云港的主要特色,这里有山有水,既有来自海洋的新鲜空气,也有奇山异水,令人大开眼界。在这里,自然之美与现代建筑之美相互融合,我甚至都无法用语言去描述。

　　还有一个我很喜欢的地方,那就是邳州,这是另一个震惊了我的城市,尽管我看到还有一些地方需要改进和改变,但在这个城市,我看到人们做一些简单而又快乐的小事。这里的人们看到我都会露出善意的微笑,而不像祖母那样说我是一个“外星人”。当我走在街上的时候,所有的目光都聚焦在我身上,他们的眼神里透露着好奇和兴奋。我可以说中文,和他们讨论为什么我选择来中国,为什么我的皮肤与他们不同。我认为这是很好的互相沟通,并试图尽可能打破我们之间的界限。这个地方教会了我如何耐心对待别人和尊重他人,要勇敢地面对不同的事物。

　　我自豪地说徐州是我的第二故乡。无论我去哪里,我都有一种怀念徐州的感觉,我认为徐州是江苏最好的城市之一。徐州在教育界的地位很重要,有众多的大学为中国人和外国人提供优质教育。它有许多令人啧啧称赞的景观,如云龙湖、云龙山、笪龙虎(大龙湖)等。还有很多的美食,尤其是这里的传统美食“地锅鸡”,几乎每家每户都会做这道菜,是招待远方朋友的必备菜品。在这里,我与徐州居民建立了牢固的关系,愉快地模仿他们的口音,探索他们的世界,并尽可能地做“徐州人”。徐州是一座古城,有诸多英雄人物,比如汉王刘邦,我喜欢他的英雄风范和英谋才智。在社会经济发展方面,看到许多基础设施和项目竣工,令人惊叹。我认为这个地方是全球化和古代生活相结合的最佳范例。我的第二故乡现在正受到来自不同国家的外国人的不同文化和传统的影响。

　　我很自豪地见证了江苏的发展并与大家分享它的历史和文化,我很荣幸成为本省交流的使者。当我回到我的祖国的时候,我会推荐我的朋友选择江苏作为他们学习的目的地,他们将看到一个全新的我,看到江苏以一个更好的方式塑造了我的人格,将我变得坚韧、善良、耐心并在困难面前永不言弃。

　　对我来说,在今后几年里我仍然要继续探索江苏这个充满活力和神秘的省份,尤其是我的第二家乡徐州,我爱徐州。

　　作者：杜新（科摩罗）

　　译文

Jiangsu, My Guarding Angel to Success

BOINA BASSAM(Comoros)

Native of a small archipelago called Comoros in the south east of Africa, I was raised and educated to go beyond my perception. “The bigger you dream the bigger will be your achievement”, my father would say anytime I go to school. My country is composed of islands with a beautiful landscape and places irresistible to tourists and business investors. I was prepared to live independently since my parents knew that I would be taking the lead to an independent life out of their sight. Primordially, China was just like any other country I would learn from school, growing up mastering geography of different countries in order to understand and embrace differences and changes. Right after ending my primary school, it felt like allotted to me to pursue my career in medicine with the unique intention of healing the wounded, as suffering with incurable diseases was frequent in my country. Taking a trip down memory lane, the curiosity of learning foreign languages was innate to me. I tied a strong relationship with this Chinese orthopedic surgeon in my hometown with the help of my father. I could not pronounce his name correctly and would find it challenging learning Chinese. He was close to me back then than any other foreign I have met that time. He talked more about China and introduced me to Chinese customs and traditions, initiated me on how to say basic words in Chinese, and here started my love and affection toward china and its culture. I would tell him about my plan on wanting to become a doctor just like him and he suggested me strongly to pursue my further studies in China. Thereafter, I applied for clinical medicine in China right after graduating from high school.

My grandma cried of happiness and tears would tell me how worried she was, me going to a foreign and far country like China, a place whereby none of my family member has stepped foot before. Alien she used to qualify me in China! I got some options of universities in China, indecisive I was and I hesitantly opt for Xuzhou medical university after a meaningful discussion I was privileged to have with one of my country mate who studied in Jiangsu. Subsequently I arrived in Jiangsu in October 2013 and joined Xuzhou medical university.

Since then, Xuzhou became a mysterious place to explore; I assigned myself looking for the treasure of knowledge wherever I have to go in Xuzhou or allover neighboring cities in Jiangsu. A great challenge would present itself on how to learn medicine with English medium and taught by Chinese professors and doctors who do not speak English fluently. In the beginning, I found it arduous to deal with that during my first year, but then I understood that the best way to improve my understanding is to study Chinese vigorously. I deployed all my efforts in learning Chinese and assigned myself to pass HSK in the first attempt I would take it. I can happily say that I passed with exceptionally my HSK level 3 on my first semester of second year and I can confidently assure that I will take part on level four this year. I was among the few students who bravely took part in HSK level three after one year in which Chinese in school was just a supplementary course of not more than six hours a week. I started with complete zero understanding in Chinese and slowly worked hard, practiced with my Chinese friends and taxi drivers. I built a self-confidence on Chinese language, which lead me to take part in the international Jiangsu speech contest to experience that feeling of speaking Chinese in front of a crowd full of native Chinese speaker. In addition, I seize every opportunity to grasp as much as possible information anytime I go out whether in Xuzhou or another city in Jiangsu or everywhere in China. I believe that knowledge is not only dispensed by teachers but also by everybody we meet. Everyone has something to sell either by speaking to you or just by looking at you. Selling here is figurative; it is just to say that everyone I meet in China offers something to dig into my curiosity. I humbly accept to buy and get the best from everyone including my teachers.

It is no mystery that living in Jiangsu would be difficult especially due to different dialects. I was aware that Mandarin was the national language but on top of it was numerous and uncountable accents and dialects in Jiangsu. Confusion was about to lead me astray if I had not understood that I needed to catch keywords in every conversation I would have with a Chinese. I decided to integrate myself entirely to Jiangsu customs and tradition, hence my trip to cities around Xuzhou to taste different styles of cuisine anddialects. I wanted to go deep into the heart of Jiangsu, understanding its history, its evolution, perception and differences with other provinces in China. Astonished I was. In fact, I saw the true epitome of hospitality, learnt how to resist difficulties, adapt and overcome them. It was risky but baidu map, my back bag got me company. I leant to get access to everyplace, how to behave according to different places, learnt how to explore, how to ask the right questions, and most importantly how to feel home in Jiangsu knowing that Xuzhou became my second hometown.

I traveled to Nanjing (南京), pizhou (邳州), Lianyungang (连云港) and many other places out of Jiangsu like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan. Those adventurous trips made me realize how history can influence and shape future of a big province like Jiangsu when I visited the Nanjing museum. It showed how history could be brutal, how wars are inhuman and catastrophic when I learnt about the Japanese invasion and how they would transform Nanjing into a macabre place, how Japanese murdered civilians, and committed acts of looting and rape in the shocking event called “The Nanking Massacre” from 1937.I visited many places in Nanjing and I discovered how Nanjing is shining of beauty and acceptance of foreigners. It impressed me on how within few years, Nanjing became one of the most favorable destinations of foreigner who come in China. Nanjing is terrifying on saying it just how gigantic it is, on how it is embedded by history full of surprises, touristic landmarks and on how powerful Jiangsu envisages overtaking the lead amongst top provinces in China. Cultural heritage mixed with modernity rhythms daily life in Nanjing without any conflict but harmony among citizens of this beautiful city. This city taught me on how Chinese overcame bravely that atrocity of war and alerted me to everlastingly learn how to deal with the past and how to live fully in the future. This city in itself is great lesson of history, competency and Godspeed.

One of my favorite places so far is Lianyungang (连云港), a place that again astonished me how speedy and amazing development of a city can be. I went there two years ago, but when I returned recently this year I could barely recognize it. Everything seemed new and everything has been upgraded super-fast. It seemed like I was in a different city; that is how unbelievable the infrastructure, socioeconomic conditions have improved significantly. I climbed Yuntai Mountain (云台山). On top of it, I could not help it but breathing that fresh air propelled by prosperity. There on top, is a temple that shows rituals and religious perspectives that existed and continue to shape China. Natural landscapes are major attraction in this city, home of mountains and breathing the fresh air from the ocean. Natural touristic sits and amazing sceneries satisfied my eye sighting. As frankly as I am, it is impossible to describe how beautiful the landscapes of this city are. This city showed me how China could be simultaneously naturally beautiful and accepting modern architecture and change. However, pizhou (邳州)obviously shocked me to see that there are still some places that need improvement and change. In fact, in this city I saw how people could be happy with petty things. People here smiled and reminded me that I am an Alien as my grandma told me; people were shocked seeing a foreign, with black skin in their town. It was shocking for them, all eyes on me while walking, they were inquisitive and thrilled that I could speak Chinese and had discussion with them on topics like why I chose to come to china, and why my skin is different from theirs. I judged it as cultural shock for them and tried to be as clear as I could in order to break boundaries between us. This place taught me how to be patient, treat people with dignity, be fearless toward what seems to be different from who you are.

Xuzhou is my second hometown; I proudly say it anytime I am with my Chinese friends. Anywhere I go, I have this feeling of nostalgia of Xuzhou, makes me feel like Xuzhou is the best place to be in Jiangsu. Xuzhou is among leaders on education having numerous universities, providing quality education to Chinese as well as foreigner. It lies many dazzling landscapes such as Yun longHu (云龙湖), Da long Hu (大龙湖) and so on. Here I built strong relationship with Xuzhou residents, imitate happily their Chinese accent, explore its treasures and be as “Xuzhou ren” as I can. Perhaps what makes feel homesick anytime I am not in Xuzhou is the food, that taste that constantly triggers degustation. Specialties originated from Xuzhou such as peanut candy, glutinous rice, haw jelly cakes, its special hotpot chicken, salty beans characterize this city; I never got satisfied of its endemic cuisine. In terms of socioeconomic development, it is amazing to see many infrastructures and projects finalize and inaugurated. I refer to this place as best example of globalization and ancient living as the city is in a transition of the above-described cities. This second hometown of mine is now getting colorful by different cultures and traditions brought by foreigners from everywhere mostly students of the china university of mining and technology as well as students from Xuzhou medical university.

I can proudly affirmed insistently that I contribute in Jiangsu development and history by sharing its history and becoming an emissary of this province anytime, I am away from it. Anytime I go back to my country. I influence my country mates to choose Jiangsu as their destinations and they do accept because of what they see in me. They see how Jiangsu has shaped my personality in a better way.

It is important for me to discover more about Jiangsu in the next couple of years by leaning more about it in every aspect. I picture myself to be an ambassador of my country in China and particularly in Jiangsu. It is a province that influences me daily, watches over me and excites me to think about staying here and work.

I would always tell the Jiangsu human resources and cultural representatives to remain opened to foreign cultural exchange, continue supporting foreigner socioeconomically and culturally. Cultural exchanges between Jiangsu residents and foreigners like me should be encouraged more and more, cultural events and conferences promoted in order to improve mutually.

I strongly believe that with all the lessons and experiences Jiangsu has taughtme, I will not hesitate to be part of this province and settle here forever. I am proudly a fruit and result of what kind of image Jiangsu is determined to show to the world and I am grateful for that.