The Chinese way of life …through the eyes of a Guyanese living abroad

Feb 05, 2017 News

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When she left these shores in 2009, Tanza Mc Almont, a Hopetown, Berbice native found

herself on a flight en route to China. A past student of the Guyana School of Agriculture, (GSA), she was awarded a government scholarship to study Agronomy at a university in a top city in China.
Naturally, at just 19 years old then, Mc Almont was excited yet nervous about her future endeavours in China.
“This was my first time travelling outside of Guyana. I was a teenager and on my own. I don’t have any family in China so I didn’t know what to expect but I always dreamt of pursuing my studies in the field of Agriculture.”
Mc Almont had only attended schools in her rural community in Berbice.
“I went to Primary School and Bush Lot Secondary School before going to Sapodilla Learning Institute; a private school; and then to the Guyana School of Agriculture.” The latter institute sparked her interest in Agriculture.
“So when I applied for the scholarship to study in China and I got accepted into the programme I didn’t know what to expect but my desire to study and develop myself was and is still greater than the fear of venturing off into a distant land, alone,” the overseas-based student added.
Hence, the young student travelled half way around the globe pursing her dreams.
“Growing up I heard a lot of stories about China but never did I think that I would for my first trip abroad spend eight years of my life living in one of its promising cities, Wuhan. It’s been an exhilarating experience and one that would forever remain some of my favourite moments when I finally give up living there.”

Mc Almont has since obtained a degree in Agronomy. She received an MBA at Hubei University of Technology, after her degree programme at Huazhong Agriculture University all located in Wuhan China, Asia.
She said that she wants to share her experience because she hopes to motivate other young people to pursue their dreams and studies, even if it means travelling across the globe to do it.
“People ask me all the time why China? They see the culture and language as a challenge but I look at it as a plus …You get to learn another language and you’re exposed to a growing culture and economy. China is no longer a closed country. There are millions of investors as well lots of opportunities for people.”
Life in China
At first, there was the culture shock but then she began to understand the Chinese way of life and daily activities began to normalise.
“Food in particular was my major headache. Chinese dishes were often prepared with certain spices that I found sometimes despicable. But then I did get used to them and I now swivel my chopsticks just like the mainlander does,” she added gaily.
Mc Almont noted, however, that her favourite dishes are found in the western restaurants.
“They offer dishes that at least I could enjoy without fishing my meal for those little minty spices often found in Chinese cuisines. And then of course one has to cook. Finding supermarkets and local markets to shop for foodstuff wasn’t that difficult. I find almost anything I need to make a good meal so that problem has been solved,” she explained.
The language, she admits, has, and continues to be a major hurdle. “But I learn more and more expressions each day.” Mandarin is the main language and Tanza McAlmont is fluent. But there are so many other dialects that she must learn.
She had problems with Mandarin at the outset. “I would go out among the locals and begin to mix (interact). It was there that my language became better. And after a year of language school, I was able to get around easily with simple phrases for introduction and common directions, but having a comprehensive discussion in Chinese is something that I had to master.”
“I intend to ace this language and so be an asset to the land of my birth. I do have a lot of Chinese friends, mostly generous friends who are often ready to assist me in any difficulty if they could. I teach them my language and at the same time I learn theirs.”
My second home
Living abroad hasn’t been always cheerful for Mc Almont. She said that there are challenges but with time and perseverance one can overcome almost anything.
“I miss my homeland and family a lot but my mother continues to support me with my studies. It helps me to stay focused. The most important lesson I learnt from the early stages was to integrate well with both locals and foreigners.”
“The foreign community in China is expanding at a fast rate with foreign students, traders and top business executives thronging to cities across the mainland of China, making it their second home. Which is what I call it, my second home.”
Through her interaction with friends, the Scholarship recipient says that she learnt the Chinese way of life, especially one terminology “GUANGXI” which means the real essence of Chinese culture.
Although she loves Guyana and will return to make her contribution to the nation, the 28 year -old aspiring Agronomist continues to aim for higher academic heights.
“I share with them (the Chinese) their dreams and aspirations and vice versa. I took time to visit the hometowns of some friends during special occasions like the Spring Festival and other national holidays.”
“I have travelled to most major cities and shared in the Chinese dream by telling the China story to my friends and relatives around the world; about how wonderful China is and why the Chinese civilization with 5000 years of history continues to grow in the 21st century. It is my love of China that pushes me to stay and contribute to a higher academic status,” she said.

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