It’s Chinese New Year again! Barbara Godoy from Venezuela thought of the special festival she once spent with a Chinese family during the festival.
It was in the year of 2016 when Barbara experience an authentic Chinese New Year for the first time. She made dumplings with the family, put the wishes out on the door, lit fireworks, went to the tomb to pray for their relatives, and had a lot of delicious dishes. “But above all, I cheered with all the family more than 10 times in just one meal, I think that was the first time I got drunk in lunch time and had to drink more for dinner”.
The amazing experience attracted Barbara to learn more about Chinese culture and history. She would dig out the customs and cultures behind every traditional Chinese festival. “Having lived in China for almost 8 years, I feel like the culture is already part of me. And I’m sure the customs I got here will precede with me wherever I go, and I love that.”
Barbara came to Nanjing in 2015 when she got a scholarship from the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela to study Chinese language for a year at Nanjing University. The happiness and connection she felt with China made her want to stay and continue her studies. She applied for a second scholarship as soon as she got back to Venezuela. After doing another year of the language, she keeps her studies at Nanjing Normal University for her bachelor’s degree and now her master’s degree. Nanjing has been like home for her.
To know China better, she chose to study with Chinese classmates. “When I finished the two years of language course, I thought that my Chinese level was good enough, however when the courses started, I realized that my level was far from enough.” She couldn’t keep up with her classes for some time. Thanks to her teachers and classmates, who have been incredibly supportive through all these years. “I often got asked by other foreigners what China feels like. I always told them that I’m happy to be here,” said Barbara.
During spare time, Barbara likes to take photos of people and surroundings, “I love to capture people in their real life, I love when I get photos that are not acted out and show a feeling and a story through it.”
In 2023, Barbara hopes to have more opportunities to travel around China. She wants to finish her master's degree and then to start her professional career in China, her second home.
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