The cultural aspect of the NAHSS
By Suzan van de Rijt | Delegate NAHSS 2019, Beijing
Hey! Mijn naam is Suzan en ik ben in 2019 naar Beijing geweest, waar Hey! My name is Suzan, and in 2019 I went to Beijing, where I had a fantastic summer! One of the aspects that excited me the most about joining the NAHSS was discovering Chinese culture. Before we travelled to Asia, we learned a lot about Chinese culture in the Netherlands. I took Chinese language and culture lessons, and during masterclasses, college tours, and workshops, we gained insights from various China experts. In the courses at Peking University Summer School, we learned a lot about Chinese poetry and the history of China.
We also enjoyed many historical, religious, and cultural attractions in Beijing. During a visit to an old trading district in Beijing, Liulichang Street, we met an elderly woman in her tea shop. After offering us some tea, she proudly began sharing her Buddhist faith. She spoke about her Buddhist lifestyle, why Buddhism was important to her, and shared some wisdom about what is good for your life. After an hour and a half of beautiful and interesting stories, we gave her a typical Dutch gift, which she was very happy with!
This is one of the many experiences in China that left an impression on me. Thanks to my participation in the NAHSS, my interest in China has grown even more. Looking back on my participation in the NAHSS, I can conclude that my perspective on China and the world has changed significantly due to this wonderful experience.