Writing to us from distant China, Dona—a participant in the “Journey to the East” program—shares a vivid and heartfelt story of cultural discovery, adaptation, and personal transformation. Her journey began with curiosity… and turned into a life she never could’ve imagined.
Good things come to those who wait,” they say—and after four months, I finally made it to China, with arms wide open and heart ready.
Stepping into the unknown turned out to be the boldest and best decision I ever made.
First stop: Shenzhen
This modern metropolis welcomed her with all the delightful chaos of a new culture—hot water instead of cold, pajamas on the street, tea over coffee, and boiled salad instead of crisp greens.
But what amazed her most? How quickly it all started to feel normal.
Dona dove into learning Mandarin, a language that at first sounded like “ching-chang-chong” to her ears. But soon enough, with effort and time, the sounds turned into words, and the characters—works of art. She even put her language skills to the test at Luohu Commercial City, a bustling hub of bargaining and knockoff luxury goods. Proudly, she walked out of a shop, bag in hand, having successfully negotiated her first deal—in Chinese.
And when her phone broke? She found herself in Huaqiangbei, China’s Silicon Valley, navigating by notes scribbled in Mandarin and the kindness of strangers. That day, she spoke four different languages—English, Chinese, Russian, and Croatian—to connect with someone who helped her get exactly what she needed. A true East-meets-West moment.
Next stop: Shanghai
After three months, Dona packed her bags and boarded a train for Shanghai, a city that never sleeps and is bursting with life.
Hungry at 2am? There’s food on every corner. Dinner with locals? Expect a three-hour feast, where the table overflows with dishes—lotus root, bamboo, eel, duck tongue, even bird’s nest delicacies.
Stand up, stretch, swap your plate, and keep going. It’s a ritual of food and connection, not just a meal.
She’s tried everything—cow stomach, lamb lungs, jellyfish, seaweed, duck blood, and more. And she loved it.
But beyond the wild cuisine, what stood out most were the people.
Her host family welcomed her unconditionally.
They didn’t just open their doors—they opened their hearts.
Dona discovered what she had always believed: kindness has no language barrier. With mutual respect and open minds, you can connect with anyone, anywhere.
From mobile payments via WeChat and Alipay, to mega-malls at every metro stop and online shopping via TaoBao, life in China is fast, digital, and surprisingly convenient.
And the kids?
From a young age, they’re immersed in music, languages, sports, and reading. The competition is high—but the energy is inspiring. No wonder so many foreigners find work teaching in schools and kindergartens across China.
Now, with eight more months ahead, Dona continues her journey as the beloved “blue-eyed Chinese girl” in her neighborhood. And she’s embracing every moment.
“China is a beautiful country, growing every single day thanks to the amazing people who live here. What unites us all, beyond borders or backgrounds, is a willingness to understand each other. And when that exists—there’s no one in this world you can’t connect with.”
Warm greetings from Shanghai,
Dona ❤️
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