Features
March
5tu$m
AW
ofo
World class/traveler
ci
adapts to life in China
S ammie H atch
Not many of us would be
able to hold our own in Beijing,
China; some might even say it's
a different world. But for Nik
Arcot, freshman, stepping onto
the streets of China is stepping
into a very familiar world.
Arcot, in addition to hav
ing taken Chinese for four
years, is fluent in two other
languages, Japanese, which
he has studied for eight years,
and English. Arcot also began
taking Arabic, but soon quit
because the teacher stopped
teaching the class.
He is very interested in
Asian traditions and customs
and says that his favorite part
of the culture is the food. Ar
cot aspires to go to European
countries as well, such as trav
eling to France to see the Eiffel
Tower but he doesn't wish to
learn the language. Another
country he's interested in is
Morocco.
Although Arcot loves see
ing the interesting cultures
and differences of the places
he travels to, he dislikes the
journey to the destination. He
doesn't particularly like plane
rides or car rides and would
prefer to stay at home during
vacation time to hang out
with his friends.
When Arcot is at home
with his younger sister,
Anisha, 10, and his par
ents, Prem and Binny, he
likes to play basketball,
golf and go sailing in the
Willamette River. Arcot
has been sailing for over
a year and a half and
finds it extremely fun. If
Arcot is not sailing, he is
spending time with his
friends.
This semester, Arcot is in
China for a fourth time study
ing abroad.
Photo courtesy of Nik Arcot
Nik Arcot, freshman, shops at a food stand in Beijing, China. Arcot
said he loves different types of food and that he was excited to sample
Chinese cuisine.
**
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It's February 6th. Our
plane lands in Beijing, China
4 * 8 ). I love this place.
As we step into the airport
at Beijing, I am instantly
Chinese. I do not feel any
different from all the people
!ime.'
everywhere and my heart
races excitedly. As usual, I
can understand everything
and feel quite at home.
On the plane from Port
land to Seattle, I met a Chi
nese elder who was going
home for the Chinese New
Year. She did not know any
English and was somewhat
lost and confused. She tried
to communicate with the air
hostess in Chinese and they
both appeared frustrated by
the lack of success. I walked
up to her and helped translate
for her. She was shocked but
grateful.
Here I was, this very "non
C h in ese" looking young
boy, who was able to speak
fluently. She stuck to me all
the way to Beijing. When we
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landed, I helped her with her
luggage and made sure that
she was comfortable. People
around me were staring at us.
I am not sure if they were sur-
prised by my language skills,
by the way I looked or by her
apparent trust in me.
Everywhere around us is
the sound of laughter. Families
are out in big groups enjoying
dinner as a part of the Spring
Festival celebrations (also
known as Chinese New Year).
The next week consists of
trviny all the foods I like and
forward to becoming a good
ping-pong player.
Uncle and Mom sign the
paperwork to make Uncle my
official guardian. My heart
races and I feel strange. I try
to smile, but it comes off as a
grimace ins d. Mom tells me
It is Tuesday
and Mom is fl
today. I am no
my host family an<
. •>.
..
-■ v
new mend;
ful to be in charge. My mom
accompanied me on this trip
and cannot speak Chinese, so
she has to depend on me to
navigate everything. I feel very
protective towards her. I won
der if this is how parents feel?
I have been to China a few
times in the past, but never
during Chinese New Year. It
is a different feeling. There are
fireworks everywhere. It is like
4th of July, on every street cor
ner for two weeks. The smell of
fireworks is mixed in with the
wonderful aroma of spicy and
flavorful Chinese food being
cooked on street side carts. All
my senses are alert and I cannot
wait to taste some food. We find
a restaurant and settle down to
a simple meal of steamed buns
(IST-) and porridge (#}).
supplies. On Friday, I move in
with my host family. My room
is bright and clean. I call my
host father Uncle ( $ ® ) and
my host mother Aunty (ffijl).
They are wonderful people.
Uncle thinks that I don't eat
enough. Ha! Mom is amused,
she thinks I eat too much and
need to cut back. The meals
here are even better than at
home.
Uncle arranges for us to visit
my school on Saturday to meet
with a teacher, Chen Laoshi $ £
0 ) , and finish my paperwork.
It is a huge, state-of-the-art
school. I see swimming pools,
basketball courts, soccer fields,
art rooms, music rooms and
science labs. Outside at many
places on campus are ping-
pong tables. I am looking
School will start on the 21st
for the local Chinese
but Mom wants me
soon as possible so
waste any time,
does not know
usual, I transla
with him to find a vifgp
I will spend the nex
studying with some Kore
and Japanese students in
International Department and
begin regular school on
21st with the native Chin
students.
My first day of school is he
and I am quite excited. I take
public transportation bus #473
to school. The Chinese is not too
difficult, but the other kids are
all seniors, so I struggle with
the calculus that is being taught
in math class. It is a strange
and Korea.
. v
Ms
Photo courtesy of Nik Arcot
Nik Arcot, freshman,
Beijing. For the first
Calculus class.
Nik Arcot, freshman, meets his host family in Beijing
Capital International Airport in February. He will
be staying with them for the rest of the school term.
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