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	<title>Kannika Mehrotra &#8211; Beijing Kids</title>
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		<title>Students From Different Backgrounds Discuss School and Life</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/11/07/whats-life-like-students-cultural-backgrounds-discuss-school-life/</link>
					<comments>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/11/07/whats-life-like-students-cultural-backgrounds-discuss-school-life/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Zhang]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2022 03:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Magazine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Middle & High School]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Student Correspondent Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Teen Takeover]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=184482</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BeFunky-collage-300x144.jpg" /></div>Olivia Xiao is in grade 12 at the International School of Beijing (ISB). She is Chinese American and has been living in Beijing since 2013. What will you miss the most about Beijing once you leave for college? I’m definitely going to miss my family the most. Most of my extended family lives in Beijing, [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BeFunky-collage-300x144.jpg" /></div><p class="p1"><em>Olivia Xiao is in grade 12 at the International School of Beijing (ISB). She is Chinese American and has been living in Beijing since 2013.</em></p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-184483" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/UNI_5642-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="1706" height="2560"   /></p>
<p class="p1"><b>What will you miss the most about Beijing once you leave for college?</b></p>
<p class="p1">I’m definitely going to miss my family the most. Most of my extended family lives in Beijing, and we have family reunions and trips every year. I might not get the chance to visit often because of the pandemic and travel restrictions, so I’ll miss experiencing these traditions.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>How do you de-stress when the school workload becomes heavy? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p>
<p class="p1">I like listening to music when I work, which makes studying and writing assignments more fun. When I feel too overwhelmed, I will do other activities to take my mind off things (e.g., taking a walk, playing piano, etc.).</p>
<p class="p1"><b>What advice do you have for underclassmen starting the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)?</b></p>
<p class="p1">Make sure to pick classes on a topic that you genuinely enjoy (and plan to pursue in college, if you have a general idea), especially for your higher levels. This way, you have a better chance of getting good grades, and being interested in your lessons also makes the work easier and even fun. It’s also a good idea to start creating study and organization habits before you start IB. This way, you can balance your extracurriculars and classes more effectively without spending extra time figuring it out.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>How will your parents react if they find out you’re dating someone?</b></p>
<p class="p1">My parents would probably be cool with it because they know I know how to prioritize my time. But they would also remind me that education is the number one most important thing right now!</p>
<p class="p1"><b>To what extent do you think fixed plans work out? Do you have a fixed plan for yourself?</b></p>
<p class="p1">Though I have goals for further studies and future jobs, I do not have a fixed plan. I still have a lot of growing and maturing to do, and I will be figuring things out along the way. Fixed plans can work out if you keep working towards them but can also be limiting in certain ways. I would like more freedom when it comes to doing something I will spend the rest of my life on. Having a goal in mind is good, but you should also consider other opportunities if they show up or interests as you develop them.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>What do you think is the ideal profession for a happy life?</b></p>
<p class="p1">An ideal profession for a happy life is something you enjoy but also gives you a steady income. Of course, this will vary from person to person as everyone has different passions and interests in life. This “perfect job” can be challenging to find, but there are more factors to a happy life than just your profession.</p>
<hr />
<p class="p1"><em>Kannika Mehrotra is currently a rising senior at International School of Beijing (ISB). She’s originally from India and has been living in Beijing for the past 1.5 years.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-184484" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/UNI_5737-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="1706" height="2560"   /></p>
<p class="p1"><b>What will you miss the most about Beijing once you leave for college?</b></p>
<p class="p1">After I leave for college, I will miss staying with my family, the home-cooked meals, the constant fights with my twin, the dinner table gossip, and most importantly, I will miss irritating my family!</p>
<p class="p1"><b>How do you de-stress when the school workload becomes heavy? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p>
<p class="p1">When the school workload is too much, I always prefer talking to my friends and family. Interacting with my friends and family is always fun because they motivate me and push me forward to get done with the work. Sometimes I feel bad for my family because I make them listen to all the trivial problems in my life.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>What advice do you have for underclassmen starting IBDP?</b></p>
<p class="p1">My advice for an underclassman would be to stop overestimating themselves by the grades that they are getting right now because IB is a different adventure altogether. Please don’t choose courses based on the subjects you score the highest; instead, choose subjects you’re genuinely interested in studying. For example, if you might be getting a perfect score in science, but that’s not something you enjoy, then my advice is to avoid pursuing science. Another recommendation would be to stay flexible with your choices, a lot of times, you don’t know what you’re getting into, and it’s alright to make changes, for example, you can try out the courses for one month to test if it suits your caliber. If you’re struggling in the first month, be ready to make changes; don’t be afraid to switch courses before it is too late.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>How will your parents react if they find out you’re dating someone?</b></p>
<p class="p1">My parents will be in a state of shock if I directly go and tell them that I have a boyfriend. However, to an extent, I feel it will be easy for me to convince my mom, but my dad’s first reaction would be “disappointment,” especially if he finds out that I have a boyfriend before an established career. I am sure he will give me a long lecture about how I should focus more on my career rather than having a “distraction,” aka a boyfriend. But I think they will accept it with time if the boy is decent enough.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>To what extent do you think fixed plans work out? Do you have a fixed plan for yourself?</b></p>
<p class="p1">Within the past year, one thing that I learned is that fixed plans do not always work out. Life is very unpredictable, and the best you can do is embrace the present and go with the flow. Growing up, I always had specific fixed plans about myself, but within the past year after moving to China, I realized everything is very spontaneous, and you meet different versions of yourself as time progresses. We sometimes arbitrarily contradict the plans and choose a different path altogether. I think one should have fixed short-term goals than fixed long-term plans because you never know what destiny has for you.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>What do you think is the ideal profession for a happy life?</b></p>
<p class="p1">My definition of an ideal profession would be something that gives me satisfaction, something that I am genuinely passionate about and motivated enough to push myself for a new challenge. I think my ideal profession would be where I wake up in the morning every day with peace of mind and end my day without complaining about my work. I think it’s too idealistic to be realistic, but that’s how I view an ideal profession.</p>
<p>Images: Uni You</p>
<hr />
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-184392" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/web-900x500-1.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="500"   /><em>This article appeared in the </em>jingkids<em> 2022 Teen Takeover issue</em></p>
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		<title>Don&#8217;t Miss Out on the Diwali Celebrations in Beijing</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/10/18/diwali-celebrations-beijing/</link>
					<comments>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/10/18/diwali-celebrations-beijing/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2022 03:30:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dining]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diwali]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=185303</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/pexels-rodnae-productions-7686379-300x144.jpg" /></div>Learn more about this important holiday.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/pexels-rodnae-productions-7686379-300x144.jpg" /></div><p>Although Halloween undoubtedly dominates the month of October, it&#8217;s not the only holiday that&#8217;s being celebrated this month. Diwali, aka <em>Deng Jie</em> (灯节), is a festival of lights, oil lamps, sweets, and good wishes. To explain Diwali like a pro, we asked Kannika Mehrotra, a student at International School of Beijing, and one of our beloved summer interns.</p>
<p>The pomp and show of Diwali starts at least ten days before the actual Diwali holiday – this time period is known as the “Golden period.” During this time every household focuses on cleaning and decorating their homes with lights and other fancy items. My mom prepares a lot of sweet and savory delicacies during this golden period. We also do a lot of shopping. I remember when I was in India the markets were so packed during this time! In my house, particularly along with buying new clothes, we also buy a silver coin every year as it is believed to bring good fortune. Also, one of my favorite practices related to Diwali would be making “Rangoli” at my home entrance. Rangoli is a traditional Indian art to decorate the floor.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-185305 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/53811666000135_.pic_.jpg" alt="" width="1110" height="1519"   /></p>
<p>On the main Diwali holiday we worship Hindu gods and goddesses. We also perform a blessed ritual in the evening which is called “pooja.” This practice aims at praying to god for prosperity and wellness. We also decorate our home and surroundings with oil lamps and lights. After the pooja is done we head outside to burn firecrackers, we visit our friends and relatives for parties, and we exchange lots of sweets and love with each other.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it an important holiday?</strong></p>
<p>Diwali is an auspicious festival that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It’s an important holiday for spiritual enlightenment for all the Hindus over the world. In fact, it’s a festival of inclusivity. In a diverse country like India, this festival of brightness and positivity is celebrated by people of different faiths, no matter whether they identify themselves as Hindu or not. Today, the drums of Diwali resonate in different countries all over the world. Essentially, according to Hindu mythology Diwali is celebrated because on this day King Ram and his brother Laxman returned from a 14-year exile rescuing Ram’s wife Sita from a demon called “Ravan” and bringing her back to their kingdom Ayodhya. The victory of Ram, Laxman, and Sita over the demon Ravan is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. This victory of truth and justice is celebrated every year by propagating the message of brightness over darkness. This is the reason why oil clay lamps are lit during Diwali. The bright light of the lamps symbolizes positivity and victory of light over darkness.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-185306 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/53821666000143_.pic_hd.png" alt="" width="1746" height="1055"   /></p>
<p><strong>What&#8217;s your favorite Diwali memory growing up?</strong></p>
<p>My favorite memory as a kid would be going out for Diwali shopping, lighting crackers, visiting my friends and family, dressing up in traditional attire, and obviously eating a lot of good food!! I remember how as a kid I was always so excited to receive Diwali gifts and sweets. In our community, for about a week we used to visit friends and relatives for Diwali gatherings. The Diwali sweets almost took one month to get finished because during this festival everyone’s home was loaded with sweets and savories!!</p>
<p><strong>What&#8217;s your plan for Diwali this year?</strong></p>
<p>This year Diwali is on Oct 24, and sadly it’s a working day! But still, I will be celebrating Diwali this weekend with the Indian community. Even though it’s a working day this Diwali, still I am very excited to celebrate Diwali with my international friends. We might be celebrating Diwali together by having a sumptuous Indian feast at an Indian restaurant in Beijing.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-185307 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/pexels-yan-krukov-8819065-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2529" height="2560"   /></p>
<p><strong>How would you explain Diwali to a 5-year-old kid who has never heard of it?</strong></p>
<p>The go-to definition for Diwali would be good food, lights, firecrackers, sweets, gifts, friends, family, and a lot of FUNNNN!</p>
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<p>Want to take part in the celebration in Beijing this year? Daastan sounds like they&#8217;re putting on quite a show for Diwali, but unfortunately for most of us they&#8217;re already completely sold out of seats! However, Indian Kitchen will be having an authentic South Indian Banana Leaf Feast with a great buffet spread and performances.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-185304 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/53801666000001_.pic_.jpg" alt="" width="860" height="533"   /></p>
<p><strong>Find it:</strong><br />
2/F, 2 Sanlitun Beixiaojie (opposite Korean embassy), Chaoyang District<br />
朝阳区三里屯北小街2号2楼<br />
Tel: 6462 7255</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>KEEP READING: <a href="https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2020/07/22/thats-osmanthus-cake-idli-culinary-similarities-connect-all-2-feat-india-china/">That&#8217;s Not Bing! It&#8217;s Roti! When Indian and Chinese Food Unite</a></strong></p>
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<aside class="InlineElement InlineElement--content-width InlineElement--desktop" aria-label="Diwali is celebrated over five days."><em>Images: Kannika Mehrotra, pexels</em></aside>
</div>
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		<item>
		<title>What’s It Really Like Being a New Kid at An International School</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/10/10/kid-block-whats-kid-international-school/</link>
					<comments>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/10/10/kid-block-whats-kid-international-school/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Zhang]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 2022 05:00:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Magazine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Student Correspondent Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[international school]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Teen Takeover]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=184568</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0586-300x200.jpg" /></div>Transitions are always challenging; it is a jump that everyone must make at least once in their lifetime. Sometimes, these transitions are no less than a rollercoaster ride of experiences, full of ups and downs.  Let me present an analogy of a scientific process called “metamorphosis of a butterfly,” transforming from a cocoon to a [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0586-300x200.jpg" /></div><p class="p1">Transitions are always challenging; it is a jump that everyone must make at least once in their lifetime. Sometimes, these transitions are no less than a rollercoaster ride of experiences, full of ups and downs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p3">Let me present an analogy of a scientific process called “metamorphosis of a butterfly,” transforming from a cocoon to a butterfly. Aren’t we all like a butterfly locked inside the cocoon, and without the transition into the next phase, it’s impossible to spread our wings? My experience of moving to an international school for the first time in my life was also no less than a process of metamorphosis, and I can attest to this because for the past year, after setting my foot in international school, I have been coping with a lot of transitions.</p>
<p class="p3">It can be overwhelming for a person to leave behind their own country, friends, school, and most importantly, adjust to a brand new life.</p>
<p class="p3">I spent most of my life in India and suddenly learned that it was time to pack my bags for a new journey to China. I was excited, anxious, and, most importantly, curious about what my life would look like after I left my old school and moved to a new school. But this was a critical transition because it challenged me socially, emotionally, and mentally.</p>
<h4 class="p2"><b><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-184551" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0615-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707"   /></b></h4>
<h4 class="p2"><b>Socially</b></h4>
<p class="p3">Making friends and fitting in socially can be a daunting experience, especially when it is your first time at an international school and you don’t know anyone. Throughout my life, I was surrounded by people from the same background, who spoke the same language, shared the same ethnicity, and had the same culture. Now I needed to start from scratch but keep in mind, eventually, you will find some great friends who might be in the same boat as you!</p>
<h4 class="p2"><b>Mentally and Emotionally</b></h4>
<p class="p3">Experiences like these can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Sometimes it feels like you’re stuck between strangers and are the odd one out. You will feel insecure about yourself. When I moved to my new school, I realized that the whole curriculum differed from what I was used to. It was a huge academic shock for me. I was no longer the top student in my class. I struggled because until grade 10, I studied in India, and now, for the last two most important years of high school, I had to start all over again. I am one year into this new system and I still often struggle to excel. It’s important to accept that life cannot always be the same; you may not always be on the top. These are the transitions; these are the leaps of faith that you have to take as part of the process.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<h4 class="p2"><b><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-184552" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/kannika1.jpg" alt="" width="1440" height="1080"   /></b></h4>
<p class="p3">For Dino Liu, a grade 10 student at JPED Academy, the transition to a new international school is hard in many ways.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p3">Incoming students are constantly being pressured under the students’ social system. Orientation will be hard to get over especially if you’re exposed to the new environment.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p3">Following orientation, new obstacles will continue to emerge. Repressed under a social status pyramid, transitioning students<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>can find it very difficult to adapt to the new environment.</p>
<p class="p3">Almost every school has a social hierarchy with a single group of popular kids, sometimes deterring the rest of the student body. Being in a school with a clear social hierarchy can be very stressful to begin with, and especially harsh if you are a new student, which places you at the bottom by default.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-184550" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0591.jpg" alt="" width="1620" height="1080"   />Sometimes, at larger international schools, incoming students will become victims of exclusion by group-ism. Students typically only hang out within their ethnic or hobby group, and some people can’t relate to either. If you are a minority or introverted, you may be out of luck for the rest of your stay.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p3">Some people would advise you to seek help from teachers. Teachers can be a good source of support, but at the end of the story, they are not students themselves and don’t tend to know what’s really going on. In other words, not every teacher can view the issue from your perspective and may not empathize with your hardship.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p3">When I arrived at my new school, I talked with my teacher after observing how some incoming students were being excluded and bullied by the “queen bee group” (the popular kids). He insisted that our school had no social system and everyone is equal. From then on, I realized that I am on my own in a completely new environment, and even teachers might fail to understand the newcomers’ hardships.</p>
<p class="p3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-184553" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Kannika2.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280"   />To prevent incoming students from experiencing the above, most schools have “orientation day” or “orientation week”. The school usually creates a bonding experience by organizing group activities. Though the intention is excellent, orientation may achieve the opposite effect if the school resorts to a forceful approach. Some schools make attendance mandatory and force students into the social circle as fast as possible. Extroverts tend to thrive in this condition, but this is disastrous for introverts who need more time to familiarize themselves with the environment before diving headfirst into social events.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p3">The orientation I went through didn’t work out for me. Social/group activities happened on an almost hourly basis, and our group members changed for each activity. I ended up not getting to know anyone because people came and went at a quick pace. Orientation week is just as important and stressful as finals week, but remember that you should give yourself time to adapt to the new circumstances gradually and not pressure yourself to immediately fit in.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="p1">Although the transition to a new international school can be stressful, there are ways to cope.</p>
<p class="p2">&#8211; Your parents will always be there to support you if you are not comfortable enough to communicate with new friends and teachers.</p>
<p class="p2">&#8211; During orientation, it’s great to have fun, make friends, and actively participate, but being quiet and shy is also okay. Don’t pressure yourself to be the star of the show. Time itself will ease all the tensions.</p>
<p class="p2">&#8211; Do something that you are passionate about to keep yourself occupied. Make friends by joining a club and work your way from there.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><em>Images: Courtesy of students</em></p>
<hr />
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-184392" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/web-900x500-1.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="500"   /><em>This article appeared in the </em>jingkids<em> 2022 Teen Takeover issue</em></p>
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		<title>How Difficult Is It for International Students To Learn Chinese ?</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/08/02/difficult-international-students-learn-chinese/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kannika Mehrotra]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2022 05:00:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Jingkids International School Expo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Learning Chinese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Student Correspondent Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[(4) International Students]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[learning Chinese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Teen Takeover]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=183406</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/pexels-jason-kim-578554515-300x144.jpg" /></div>Beijing international students share their perspectives on learning Chinese.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/pexels-jason-kim-578554515-300x144.jpg" /></div><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183427 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/javier-trueba-iQPr1XkF5F0-unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707"   /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183421 size-large" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/qi-xna-U5fVbJbZPLc-unsplash-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="702" height="395"   /></p>
<p><em>&#8220;Dui bu qi wo de zhongwen buhao.</em>&#8221; (Sorry, my Chinese is terrible.)</p>
<p>Do you also religiously use this phrase to avoid all potential conversations in Chinese? Is Chinese really so complicated to study? Should I even study Chinese? Will I be ever able to learn Chinese in my lifetime?</p>
<p>Chinese is one of the most challenging languages to master, and tere is a lot of anxiety out there when it comes to learning it, but is it impossible to learn?  How difficult is it for international students to learn Chinese?</p>
<p>As an international student myself, I have been learning the language for the past year, and one thing I can say is that it is not easy but it is exciting!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183420 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cherry-lin-ct58n7B6WbI-unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1920"   /></p>
<p>I decided to interview a few international students,  as well as an experienced Chinese teacher teaching international students in Beijing! Are you excited to see their responses? Without further ado, let&#8217;s dive straight away into the interesting responses.</p>
<p>I asked the same questions to everyone:  <strong><em>How long have you been learning Chinese and how difficult do you think is it for international students like you to learn Chinese? What are the difficult and interesting aspects of the language?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Lorenz Hoffmann, age 17, Grade 11, German School of Beijing: </strong>I began to learn Chinese two and a half years ago. And it’s a mess! Chinese is a language that is not influenced by the central European culture area. As a German, it’s a completely new system. Learning languages requires a general understanding of the style (grammar) of that language. That makes Chinese even more complicated. Not to mention the <em>hanzi</em>, the characters.</p>
<p><strong>Sunni, age 17, Grade 12, International School of Beijing</strong>: It has been around a year and a half since I started learning Chinese. Out of all the languages I learned, I felt like learning Chinese was the hardest (but that might be because I just started learning). But the good thing about Chinese is that the grammar structure is similar to that of English. For me, I find having a conversation in Chinese the hardest because of the different tones and word patterns.</p>
<p><strong>Paul, age 16, Grade 12,  German School of Beijing: </strong>I&#8217;ve been learning Chinese for a bit more than two years, since we decided to move to Beijing. When we were still in Germany, I learned online. Now I have Chinese in school. Of the languages I&#8217;ve learned so far, Chinese grammar is the easiest, while vocabulary, characters, and pronunciation are by far the most difficult. Overall, I&#8217;d say Chinese probably takes a lot of effort and is the most difficult, but it&#8217;s a lot of fun too, especially when I&#8217;m able to understand something in everyday life.</p>
<p><strong>American student, age 17, International School of Beijing:</strong> I’ve been learning Mandarin Chinese for five years. As a native English speaker, I think it’s a pretty difficult language to learn, because of all of the different characters to learn. I also struggle a lot with tones, but I find that I can still communicate alright without fully using them (even if I end up sounding like a robot or a broken violin).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Despite Chinese’s difficulty, I do appreciate its grammar! Compared to English, its grammar is relatively simple, and definitely a lot more consistent. This made sentences a lot easier to construct when I was a beginner, without having to worry about conjugations, cases, or articles. Then again, as I continued learning Chinese, I found that there were a lot of more subtle grammar rules that are difficult to explain in English. Some examples are the different meanings of &#8220;了,&#8221; or how Chinese has aspects, but not tense. So, overall, I would say Chinese is pretty difficult to learn, because of the characters, pronunciations, and grammar.</p>
<p><strong>As an experienced Chinese teacher teaching international students, What do you think are the areas where students do well and the areas where they struggle to excel?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A Chinese teacher in an international school:</strong> My observation is that for international students living in China, it’s easier to make progress in listening and speaking than in reading and writing, mostly because they are immersed in the target language environment which enables them to better understand the context and communicate more effectively.</p>
<p><strong>Any tips on how international students living in Beijing can overcome the language difficulty and learn Chinese better?</strong></p>
<p>As long as they are willing, there are many opportunities to practice using the language in real life. With the use of apps such as Didi, Weixin, Meituan, Taobao, etc., students can also practice reading in authentic scenarios. Another opportunity is the road signs, shop signs, etc. Overall, the most difficult part is writing, simply because people don’t write much nowadays, and characters are more complicated to write. To improve, the most effective way is to practice. Using resources that show the stroke orders would help. Taking calligraphy lessons is also a way to appreciate and understand the characters.</p>
<p>Overall, the responses were great and optimistic! So, yes, there are some areas where international students generally struggle, but with the right amount of practice and interest, one can learn the language efficiently. To all those who are or who will be learning Chinese, I will say only one thing: &#8220;Jiayou 加油!&#8221; (&#8220;Come on, you can do it!&#8221;)</p>
<p><em>Images: Unsplash</em><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183422 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/leon-gao-ooX-lfJqzhE-unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1708"   /></p>
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		<title>Finding Beijing&#8217;s Hidden Art in Day-to-Day Life</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/07/27/beijing-artistically-pleasing/</link>
					<comments>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/07/27/beijing-artistically-pleasing/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kannika Mehrotra]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2022 05:00:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creative Writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jingkids International School Expo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Student Correspondent Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beijing life]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=183301</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/pexels-jason-kim-578554513-300x144.jpg" /></div>See Beijing a bit differently and find the art all around you.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/pexels-jason-kim-578554513-300x144.jpg" /></div><p>&#8220;There is so much traffic!&#8221; &#8230; &#8220;Why is it so hot in Beijing?!&#8221; We all love to complain about the city, but in this hustle and bustle we often ignore the artistic side of Beijing. Art is everywhere around Beijing. Art is fluid and ambiguous, and as someone once said, &#8220;Art lies in the eyes of the beholder, and everyone has their own interpretation.&#8221;</p>
<p>Beijing is undeniably beautiful and never fails to light the bulb of creativity. The art lies in the interpretation, but sometimes it is hidden behind the chaos, the monotony of day-to-day life, and the proud skyscrapers, and it&#8217;s always worth it to lift the curtains of this hidden treasure of art.</p>
<p>Every day I walk out on the streets of Beijing I encounter nuances of the city&#8217;s art that astonish me. It amazes me because most of the time these things appear very ordinary, but they are still extraordinary. Let me share glimpses of three everyday places around Beijing that carve out a new definition for art.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183371 size-large" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/81657815349_.pic_-1-639x1024.jpg" alt="" width="639" height="1024"   /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183410 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/073966019083be412fbbc449a4dfc5fd.jpg" alt="" width="2000" height="1333"   /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183409 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/050248d7b254875b55fa3ab06096ebe0.jpg" alt="" width="2000" height="1333"   /></p>
<p>First on the list is Liangmahe. You&#8217;re living under a rock if you haven&#8217;t been to explore this peaceful spot in Beijing. I found this place very artistically appealing because of its magnificent scenery. The river boasts its graceful flow, while Beijingers complement its beauty through their jovial presence. Especially during the rose pink dusk light of the sunset, the river appears no less than a canvas painted with the glittering of alluring elements. The colorful fluorescent light around the trees, the fleet of enthusiastic kayakers, the melody of the street concerts, the lively moves of the local dance troupe&#8230; It&#8217;s always refreshing to just walk and cherish the ornamental nature of the Liangma River, making it a spectacular spot on a hot summer evening to admire the artistic side of Beijing.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183376 size-full" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Soho.jpg" alt="" width="702" height="336"   /></p>
<p>Next on the list is the one and only Wanjing SOHO building. What were your initial thoughts when you first looked at it? When I came across this building, my first words were &#8220;Oh, this looks like a mountain with terrace farming on it.&#8221; I wasn&#8217;t wrong. The design resembles many of the Longji rice terraces in Guangxi province. The architecture of the building is certainly commendable. At the same time, it is very ambiguous – different people have different opinions about the architecture, making it artistically pleasing! Next time you see the building, pause for a minute and interpret its creative structure. Also, don&#8217;t forget to snap a picture!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-183374 size-large" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/31657815002_.pic_-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="702" height="527"   /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183379 size-large" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/121657817895_.pic_-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="702" height="527"   /></p>
<p>Last but not least, the third place might seem a bit strange to some people, but I think it&#8217;s still uniquely artistic. Have you ever traveled on the public buses of Beijing? I believe there is an art of unspoken storytelling, and that&#8217;s what the faces, the gestures, and the identities of the strangers narrate on the bus ride. It&#8217;s strangely soothing to just sit and listen to the sound of traffic, a lullaby hummed by grandparents to calm their grandkids, and the swift sound of gusts of wind entering through the window. Try it yourself – just admire the hidden art in the monotony of a simple bus ride on a hectic work day.</p>
<p>One thing I want my readers to take away from this article is the power of imagination to chase the hidden art around Beijing. The city of Beijing will never disappoint you, especially when you&#8217;re on the trail to explore art. Art is everywhere around the city, but what matters is your perspective. The three places I shared with you today might or might not have pleased you, but don&#8217;t let your eyes miss the hidden art in the trivial-yet-significant instances that are part of your day-to-day life in Beijing.</p>
<p><em>Images: Uni You, Pexels</em></p>
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		<title>&#8220;That&#8217;s Not Lo Mein. Those are Hakka Noodles!&#8221; When Indo-Chinese and Mainland Chinese Food come Face to Face</title>
		<link>https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2022/07/25/indo-chinese-authentic-chinese/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kannika Mehrotra]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2022 03:00:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Student Correspondent Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dining]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.beijing-kids.com/?p=183000</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Hakka-Noodles-1-300x144.jpg" /></div>It&#8217;s so fascinating that where borders and differences divide us, Food whole-heartedly unites us. The flavors, spices, and cuisines transcend beyond boundaries. Indo-Chinese cuisine is truly the intersection of the subtle nuances of flavors and culture. China and India, the two most populous countries in the world, boast their rich food cuisine. Let&#8217;s dive a [...]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="featured-img"><img src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Hakka-Noodles-1-300x144.jpg" /></div><p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It&#8217;s so fascinating that where borders and differences divide us, Food whole-heartedly unites us. The flavors, spices, and cuisines transcend beyond boundaries. Indo-Chinese cuisine is truly the intersection of the subtle nuances of flavors and culture. China and India, the two most populous countries in the world, boast their rich food cuisine. Let&#8217;s dive a bit into the history of Indo-Chinese cuisine. The trail begins in the eastern city of India, Kolkata. Kolkata serves as one of the largest China towns in India.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It is believed that around 250 years ago, during the colonial rule, a southern Chinese man named Tong Atchew immigrated through the silk route, hailing from the Hakka Tribe, settled in Kolkata, and established the legacy of Indo-Chinese cuisine. And now, In modern-day India, from streets to Michelin star hotels, Chinese cuisine with a blend of Indian spices has become a popular choice.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><strong>One fun fact:</strong> There is a Chinese Kali Goddess temple that offers noodles as a blessed food </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">for its visitors. Truly, Chinese Food in India has created its own unique identity. </span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I have had the Indian version of Chinese food for most of my life, Indo-Chinese food. But what is Indo-China food? Essentially it is the fusion of Indian spices and Chinese culinary styles. A year ago, I came to China and was insanely excited to please my taste buds with authentic Chinese food, and that&#8217;s when I began to explore the nuances of similarities and differences between Indo-Chinese cuisine and authentic Chinese cuisine. </span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Let&#8217;s compare some delicacies to dig in deep:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hakka Noodles vs. Lo Mien</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-183200 aligncenter" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Hakka-Noodles-300x144.jpg" alt="" width="669" height="321"   /></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Hakka population introduced Hakka Cuisine when they migrated to Kolkata 200 years ago, and since then, there has been no turning back. </span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Hakka noodles, one of the popular Indo-Chinese dishes, boast popularity all over India. It is served in almost every Indian restaurant and street-side stall. These Indo-Chinese noodles are the perfect blend of crunch, spice, and goodness. Hakka noodles are made of rice flour and are roughly tossed with chopped veggies, noodles, soy sauce, chili sauce, and vinegar. However, to make the Hakka noodles spicier, often times restaurants fused the Chinese sauces with Indian spices like <em>l</em></span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">aal mirch powder</span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> (red chilly powder). I have grown up eating Hakka Noodles combined with Indian spices, and I genuinely adore the Indian twist in the dish. After coming to Beijing, I got the chance to taste lo mien; as a vegetarian, I found lo mein noodles a perfect delight. This dish can commonly be found in any Chinese restaurant in Beijing or around China.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> In comparison, Hakka noodles uses similar sauces. However, <em>lo mien</em> noodles are made of egg instead of Rice. Like the Hakka noodles, it is tossed with freshly chopped veggies, soy sauce, and other authentic Chinese sauces.  </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> Chilly Paneer Vs. Mapo Tofu</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-183199 aligncenter" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Chilly-Paneer-300x144.jpg" alt="" width="833" height="400"   /></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">At first glance, you must be wondering what the difference between these two is? Let&#8217;s just say chilly paneer is the brother of mapo tofu from another mother. Chilly paneer (cottage cheese) is fresh, crispy cheese cubes sauteed with roughly chopped veggies and different hot and sour sauces. The key ingredients in chili paneer are cottage cheese and a diverse range of sauces consisting of both Chinese and Indian flavors. </span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">However, most Indians prefer the hot and sour flavors, suggested by the name &#8220;chilly paneer.&#8221; On the other, we have mapo tofu, hailing from Chengdu, located in the Sichuan Province. Mapo tofu, just like the chilly paneer, is also known for its hot and sour flavor; the natives describe the mapo tofu by key terms like <em>má </em>which means numbing), 辣 <em>là </em>(spicy), 烫 <em>tàng</em> (hot), 鲜 <em>xiān</em> (fresh), 嫩 <em>nèn</em> (tender), 香 <em>xiāng</em> (aromatic) and 酥 <em>sū</em> (flaky). </span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Like the chilly paneer, the mapo tofu is sauteed with freshly chopped vegetables. However, the key difference is that chilly paneer consists of paneer, a type of cheese, whereas, in mapo tofu is made up of soy. However, another key difference would be the use of different oils in both dishes; mainland Chinese dishes usually use sesame oil, whereas Indo-Chinese dishes prefer refined oil. But overall, chilly paneer and mapo tofu are no less than separated twins by birth.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Manchurian Vs. Lion Meat Balls (狮子头 – s<em>hīzitóu</em>)</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-183198 aligncenter" src="https://www.beijing-kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Manchurian-300x144.jpg" alt="" width="609" height="292"   /></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Let&#8217;s move to our third and final face-off! </span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Manchurian was born in the economic capital of India, Mumbai. Manchurian means a native from Manchuria, and it resembles northeastern Chinese cuisine. Manchurian is an adaption of Chinese culinary practices but with the seasoning adaptable to the Indian taste buds. Like the other dishes mentioned above, it uses similar ingredients like soy sauce, chilly sauce, and freshly chopped veggies. But in this dish, the best is cabbage balls or chicken balls, depending on which one you prefer. Manchurian consists of moist cabbage balls or chicken balls dipped in the rich, saucy Indo-Chinese spices gravy.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">On the other end of the spectrum is the &#8220;lion&#8217;s head meat balls,&#8221; which are similar and different to Manchurian. Lion&#8217;s head meatballs resemble the Chinese lion guardian, as the name suggests. These are essentially the pork meatballs bruised with the veggies. Sometimes, instead of the pork meatballs, this dish can also be prepared with Napa cabbage balls. However, the only significant difference between Manchurian and lion meatballs is the usage of pork and different oils; apart from that, the use of sauces in the dish is pretty much the same; both the dishes have a savory and hot taste.</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><strong>Pro Tip:</strong><br />
</span></p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mr. Pastakia, the owner of the Taj Pavillion Restaurant, : &#8220;The Sichuan style and southern Chinese cuisine are more prevalent and adaptable in India due to the strong spicy flavors. However, the critical difference is that the Chinese Food served in India still has a colonial identity; for example, Indo-Chinese cuisine still uses the term Schezwan instead of Sichuan. In contrast, in Mainland China, the Chinese cuisine has progressed a lot in terms of presentation and quality compared to the Indo-Chinese. Though there are significant similarities since the inspiration of Indo-Chinese comes from the native Chinese who immigrated to India during the colonial period.&#8221;</span></p>
<p>Find it:<br />
3/F, Lido Place, Jiangtai Lu, Shoudu Jichang Lu, Chaoyang District<br />
阳区首都机场路将台路丽都假日酒店广场缤纷廊3层<br />
Tel: 64367678</p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mr.Parambeer, head cook at the Indian Kitchen: &#8220;The Indo-china food has more spice than the Mainland Chinese food, and the mainland Chinese food is more meat-based.&#8221;</span></p>
<p>Find it:<br />
2/F, 2 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District<br />
朝阳区三里屯北小街2号2楼<br />
Tel: 6462 7255</p>
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> Images:</span> Kannika Mehrotra</p>
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