[Indonesia] Thessalonica Eunice Gunawan, Northwestern Polytechnical University

It is often said that life has all kinds of flavors, sweet and sour, bitter, spicy and salty. Each flavor is a special experience and life surprise, and every taste is a gift of life. Just like the way I know and understand China, the story is full of flavors. In retrospect, I would frown and grin, addicted, and going to be reminiscent over and over.

Sour, it was the flavor that I tasted four years ago when I was just 18, with curiosity about China, with a heart of “New-born calves are not afraid of tigers,” I chose to study in China without hesitation. The beginning of this relationship is like an unripe, sour and astringent fruit, but it blew a cool and comfortable wind into my ordinary life, driving away helplessness and confusion, and allowing me to find a new direction in life!

Bitterness is the taste of my 3-year long-distance “online relationship” with China. In retrospect, it was the red eyes that stayed up late in class, the sore neck that I sat quietly for eight hours a day, and the mathematical formulas that I couldn’t figure out, and all kinds of bitter tastes filled my life. However, when I heard that bitterness is also unique in Chinese cuisine, adding bitter flavor to the dish will bring out the fresh and sweet taste, which is the so-called bitter sweetness. At that time, I began to gradually learn to appreciate bitterness, and “enduring hardship” and “hard work” became my hobbies. I believe that this journey will come one day “bitter and sweet.”

Salty is the taste of tears after flights to China have been postponed again and again. I often wonder, when will I be able to experience China for myself? Finally, just three months ago, I boarded the plane to China. The plane passed through the sea, the blue sky and the white clouds, and when I landed in China, I cried again, but this time I understood that salty tears can be sad as while as joyful.

Sweetness is the taste of satisfaction, the taste of happiness, and the taste of encounter. I walked the streets and alleys of Xi’an, looking for the shadows of those historical stories in the classroom; I touched every grass and tree on campus, recalling the campus life experienced by my classmates; I tasted the local food, and they tasted exactly what I expected, oh no, it was even better than I expected. Every day after the “online dating” with China became a reality, it was like a sweet dream, and I really didn’t want to wake up!

Spicy is the taste of burning passion and the taste of vitality! I didn’t have time to wash away the fatigue of the journey, and I didn’t have time to worry about the discomfort of the new life, so I was pushed and rushed into the fast-paced campus life. Warm and friendly teachers and classmates, a full class schedule, colorful cultural activities... It’s like a spicy hot pot bursting in my mouth, filling my day in an instant! Many people ask me, “Are you afraid of spicy food here?” My answer was, “No! I love this spicy life full of passion, vitality and energy.”

This is the story of my acquaintance with China, I used to expect life to be full of sweetness, but now I understand that there are many flavors of life, each of which cannot be missed, and each one is worth savoring. Thanks to this “five-flavor” relationship with China, I gradually grew up and matured, cherished sweetness more after experiencing sadness, and bravely challenged the hot after experiencing hardship. Next, I will continue to embark on a journey of “taste” in China, and cook Chinese dish with stories full of color, aroma and taste.